Alfa 156 Thermostat
Discussion
My 156 sits bang on 70 degrees for 90% of the time, I've always thought it should have been more like 90 but didn't mind while I was sat in summer traffic jams.
What I'm wondering is does the thermostat need changing, is it fairly easy and how much does it cost? Last one I did was on an Astra, it was easy and only coast about £10, can Alfa Romeo have made it difficult and expensive?
What I'm wondering is does the thermostat need changing, is it fairly easy and how much does it cost? Last one I did was on an Astra, it was easy and only coast about £10, can Alfa Romeo have made it difficult and expensive?
I suspect that the temperature guages under read due to positioning of the temperature sensor. Most 156's I've seen hang around the 70 degree mark, and mine specifically just reaches 90 then cools to 70 and will cycle like that about 3-4 times a minute while I'm traveling at 140km/h at an ambient temperature of around 25 degrees C. Apparently this is normal.
Hi my thermostat was stuck open on me 156 V6 when i first bought it, it would drop to say 70 degrees on the motorway then rise to 92 through town in hot weather (before the fans kicked in), it definatly sounds like yours is also stuck open, as the car should be a constant 87-92 degrees once up to full temp - 70 is a bit low. Fittings a doddle have a look on 156.net for a guide on how to do this. You will lose a bit of coolant in the process.
Hi my thermostat was stuck open when I got my GTV.
It's a pretty easy job, the bolt underneath was not hard to undo/do up for me.
I've made a twinspark thermostat guide here with pictures, for anyone that is interested.
It's a pretty easy job, the bolt underneath was not hard to undo/do up for me.
I've made a twinspark thermostat guide here with pictures, for anyone that is interested.
Edited by rabw on Wednesday 24th October 13:23
I asked a similar question last year. Mine sits just about 70 all of the time, get into traffic up to just gone 90 and then the fan kick in back down to 70. I asked the main dealer and he said..... yeah that is normal. I was also under the impression that most cars run at around 90. My Lotus runs at arond 85-90.
I suggested that it needs a new thermostat and they said not so have left it. In the summer it might be a couple of degrees warmer but nothing really.
So basically i was told to leave.
D
I suggested that it needs a new thermostat and they said not so have left it. In the summer it might be a couple of degrees warmer but nothing really.
So basically i was told to leave.
D
This is quite simple...70c means it has failed, 90c it hasn't failed.
Many twin sparks go up to 90c then fall back to 70c...this still is a failed unit.
After you change it you will find that the temperature climbs steadily up to 90c then stays rock solid. Don't work on the belief that it's OK to run at 70c because it's cooler. You are just wearing out the engine.
Many twin sparks go up to 90c then fall back to 70c...this still is a failed unit.
After you change it you will find that the temperature climbs steadily up to 90c then stays rock solid. Don't work on the belief that it's OK to run at 70c because it's cooler. You are just wearing out the engine.
Completely agree....anything below the 90deg mark is a failure. Temperature should be reached after a few miles and stay steady. If you only see that temperature in traffic you need a new thermostat.
Car will reach efficient operating temperature much quicker, give you cabin heat much quicker, engine will be running better and save you money via the fuel pump.
wrinx
Car will reach efficient operating temperature much quicker, give you cabin heat much quicker, engine will be running better and save you money via the fuel pump.
wrinx
It can't ever stay rock steady! If it did, the fans would never cut in!
I agree it should not drop below (whatever temperature the thermostat is set to (82??)), but it can go above that. In reality, I wouldn't be too bothered if mine went down to 70 on occasions, but not below that. Certainly if I am driving my wife's 156 on a sunny day with the gauge showing about 85 and I accelerate hard up a hill for 30 seconds or so, it will climb to just over 90 before dropping back again when I lift off.
I agree it should not drop below (whatever temperature the thermostat is set to (82??)), but it can go above that. In reality, I wouldn't be too bothered if mine went down to 70 on occasions, but not below that. Certainly if I am driving my wife's 156 on a sunny day with the gauge showing about 85 and I accelerate hard up a hill for 30 seconds or so, it will climb to just over 90 before dropping back again when I lift off.
Avocet said:
It can't ever stay rock steady! If it did, the fans would never cut in!
My 145 does!There may be a very small fluctuation, but to all intents & purposes (whatever that means!) it sits at a steady 90 once warmed up. There should never be a noticeable drop in temperature, as the thermostat will close to prevent that; when the car's stationary, lack of airflow through the radiator may allow a small rise in temperature, but that's what the fans are for! Bear in mind that thermostats aren't just open or closed - the opening is proportional to temperature, so they can control to a very small variation.Gassing Station | Alfa Romeo, Fiat & Lancia | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff