Alfa 156 Sportswagen,2.0 twin spark

[sb-1]

Recently bought a 156.sportwagen 2.0 twin spark,(my 3rd 156,and 4th Alfa.)

Its running really well apart from a big engine oil leak(just under 1L in 3 weeks!)
This will hopefully be rectified when it goes into AHM in Hartley Wintney,next month.

Edited by sb-1 on Tuesday 18th June 12:44

[sb-1]

I have just rejoined AROC,now to get some attention to the oil leak etc.

Oil leak sorted,,thanks Alfa care(AHM) at Harley Wintney.

Edited by sb-1 on Tuesday 25th June 17:00

[Challo]

Any rust on the floor? I quite fancy these as a cheap estate but the rust puts me off.

[sb-1]

Challo said:

Any rust on the floor? I quite fancy these as a cheap estate but the rust puts me off.

Yes,it has some rust,which is is an ongoing issue,but this is the same for every old Alfa.

Its going in for some pre MOT welding at the end of the month.

[defonsecca]

Congratulations on a great car! I had a 156 a couple years ago as well as one 12 years ago & loved both.

I now have the same 2.0 Twin Spark engine as yours in my 166. Just a word of warning - make sure you obsessively check & keep the oil topped up. These Twinnies do go through the stuff at an alarmingly fast rate but if it gets too low for too long it can be disastrous / engine destroyed. Not a great design in that respect & they are notorious for it. Do that & regular maintenance & they can last for 200k miles plus.

They’re lovely smooth engines & sound good. Enjoy it!

[Oilchange]

Number three cylinder? The sump has a ridge in it so the exhaust can travel under without sagging so low it drags on the ground.
If the oil drops to the point where the inside of the sump is exposed, the heat build up affects the big ends of the crank directly above it and you end up overheating the bearings and throwing a rod. At least thats how I understood it.