The joys of Italian design

[poohbah]

This kind of thing drives me nuts about Alfa ... but I sort of get a kick out of it too.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/buying-maintenance/videos/a32313/alfa-romeo-4c-refill-wiper-fluid/

[V AR 164]

Typical Alfa indeed, although am I the only one who doesn't use the washer system?

I also love the fake bonnet, I'm sure they could have made it a functional bonnet and boot with only a couple of kg's added.

Anyone have a similar quirk with their Alfa? Would like to hear some!

Andrew.

[poohbah]

Plenty of classic quirks to name - like the central hatch strut in the 116 GTV making it a hatchback in which you cannot fold down the rear seats. Or the finger-amputating handbrake in the 75.

And of course, the need to clear half the engine bay of the V6 156 in order to change a rubber cambelt ... making what should be a $150 job a $1500 job.

[bazzbazz]

$1500 !!!!!   

I gotta raise my rates, I am just waaay too reasonably priced!   

[bazzbazz]

This kind of thing drives me nuts about Alfa ...

Well its not THAT hard, you undo 4 screws (granted, a pain in the ass) but then all you need is a garden hose to fill it. 

Here's one for you . . . . .where is the fuse for the A/C compressor, not the fuse for the A/C control system, but the fuse for the compressor. (and looking up my posts on the web will be considered cheating!)   

[poohbah]

I'll have to check my last bill a few months back - pretty sure the cambelt change on its own was about $1500. The total bill topped $2k of course, including some other odds and sods plus 6m service etc.

[poohbah]

Fuse for A/C compressor on the 4C or on a 156?

No matter - I have no idea.

[poohbah]

I'm not too pleased with the location of the oil pressure sender on my '81 GTV either. Mine needs replacing, but what a faff to get to.

[bazzbazz]

The fuse for the A/C compressor doesn't exist . . . . .it uses the Cigarette lighter fuse!!!

Took me a whole night searching for the bloody thing, not even any of the local Alfa or Indie service centres knew.   

So if your A/C ever stops working, see if your lighter is on the blink too before you take it to your local A/C service centre.

[poohbah]

Interesting bazz. I recently had the AC compressor bearing replaced, and the unit regassed (it wasn't working when I bought the car). The mech however said I might need to replace the whole compressor too (+$1K!), because he thought it may have a failing/dodgy electrical switch which meant the AC would randomly stop working after a few minutes.

That said, it now seems to work all the time when I turn it on  - though I hardly ever bother. I prefer window down, arm out ...

[105junior]

I paid $1200 for a cambelt change 3 years ago but all that was changed was the belt & tensioner,
This time around it got the burger with the lot,  paid $1k labor plus parts that I sourced from Alfaworkshop, probably $2k all up