156 2.0 T.S overheating problem :(

[ideally]

- A couple of weeks ago the car started to overheat, the fluid popped out from the left side from the little container (what's the proper name for it?).

- The radiator was cool, the pipe leading from the termostat was barely warm. The decision was changing the termostat. The fluid was changed and a new thermostat sensor as well (Termo. Behr and the sensor EPS). Off I went and... NO CHANGE. Again the car started to overheat.

- I went a mechanic and the dignose was changing the radiator (according to his experience and knowledge).
He changed it and added a better coolant.

NO CHANGE, even worse.

- Now accelerating above 100km/h (or just exceeding 3500rpm) ends up with stopping the hot/warm air to blow inside the car and the temperature rising to 120 degrees. I opend the hood and the radiator was cool, the thermostat extremely hot. The pipe leading from the thermostat to the radiator was barely warm (and the pipe under it was just cold) [as previously]. The coolant was boiling.

- The fans were working at their highest speed. After a couple of minutes the fans dropped in their speed and at the end they stopped, the coolant stopped boiling and was luckily let into the radiator. The temperature dropped immediately and the hot air inside the car started to blow again.

- How on earth can this happen?
- Is it possible that a new and original thermostat was also damaged and a new sensor as well?
- The mechanic stated that the problem was with some kind of powder which was put into to cope with some leaks.
- Anyway, I've got a new radiator, thermostat, t. sensor, and NO CHANGE at all

However, we did one trick, let's say, namely we took the old thermostat, took out the guts and I had an open circulation. The car couldn't warm up at all while driving, even with speeds 160-180km/h (sic!), however it did warm up when it stood still, strange though it was.
- When we put a brand new original thermostat and a new sensor the situation started to worry us again.
- The mechanic still considers the remaining 'stuff' (sealing powder for radiators) to be the cause of overheating, moreover, the duct heater can be jammed with the 'stuff' into the bargain.

- But how is that possible, that I drove a 100-kilometer trip to the mountains with the nominal temperature and the hot air blowing inside, and suddenly, when I overtook several cars (140kmh), and back to 90kmh, the car starts to overheat and there's not warm or hot air inside and the radiator is cool and the thermostat is hot, the coolant is boiling? After some time it yields and works normally, the temperature drops and the radiator is filled with the coolant? Help

I was also thinking about the wire that leads to the thermostat sensor. Maybe it is the problem. There's no signal and the thermostat keeps holdin the coolant...

Is there any transmitter or a fuse that could be causing trouble? If so, where could I find or check it?

Thanks in advance, Greg.

[John Hanslow]

How about the water pump? 

Not sure of any issues in the twin spark, but I know that with the v6 engines these is an upgrade to the metal impeller as the fins break off the plastic unit. Do not know what state you live in but a quick call to a Alfa Specialist or dealer may be essential. 

Cheers.

[ideally]

The water pump, the cam belt and the rest were changed in August. The water pump is metal (at least it should be). I must ask the man who changed the cam belt in my car. Anyway there aren't many (I'd dare to say: NONE) mechanics who can do anything in Alfa. They stopped to develop their knowledge on Audi, VW and Opel, so...

Anyway I gotta get it serviced. It's gonna be really expensive but maybe it's worth when there's nobody to help me out there

Thanks for you reply.

[rocklogic]

Sad to hear that you've got this problem; but as John mentioned - do get an Alfa specialist to look it up. I've just got myself a 156 TS as well; and I know that I'm sticking exclusively to Alfa specialists. If you're in Melbourne - there're a number of dealer and non-dealer specialists who have been known to have done a great job in servicing/ diagnosing problems. Good luck!

[ideally]

Well, I have visited Alfa service today and:

- the bottom pipe from the radiator was shortened (it was too long and bent a little)
- I bought a new cap for the extension tank a now it doesn't let the coolant out
- I was driving for a while really fast both in the city and in the outskirts and nothing bad happened: wow!

So, I was driving home hoping everything was gonna be alright.

I did 100-110mph and ...wow.. it works.
- My happiness lasted about 30 miles when suddenly the temperature rose and immediately fell when I stopped.
- I was doing 75mph this time but using only 4 gear (high rpms). Unfortunately I had to stop for 10 minutes to cool it down. The radiator was cold again, the fans at their highest speed, and waiting... The temperature dropped and drove home. I'm sad again. Tomorrow I'm going to another city to check it again, again, and again....

The cooling system was bled but did it catch some air again?

They said it wasn't the head gasket, but this time I'm just not sure, and they're not sure either That's sad and annoying

How come I drove 30 miles without any problems and then it occurred again?

[ideally]

Welcome again.

So I visited just another Alfa Service, though, it was a very reliable one. It isn't cheap but as I said - very reliable. I should pay but I didn't. Why? I'll try to explain in a while.

The head, headgasket, gases, fuses, oil, coolant - everything is just all right. The thermostat was also checked. They checked the lambda as well. They plugged in a computer and there it is so right.

They couldn't, however, do the drive-around trip because they didn't have enough time. Checking my car lasted about 3hours.

They said I should change the radiator. I said I'd changed it but it was a used one. I have to use a brand new this time.

Hence, because they checked everything and it seemed all right, they said I didn't have to pay for checking alfa as they hadn't solved the problem. Wow.

-When I change the radiator and the problem still persists I should go back and leave the car. They'll do the drive-around trip with computer. Dunno whether that makes any difference or not but is it really the radiator which has been troubling me for so long?