156 2.0 TS, JTS or 2.5 V6? MY01-03

[wankski]

Hi guys,

the title is pretty self explanatory... After a long hiatus from ALFA, i'm coming back! Now the 156s are on my radar... and i've narrowed it down to these years...

on paper the JTS looks like the pick of the bunch, any issues i should be aware of? how does the reliability and parts availability compare to the venerable TS?

I LOVE the sound of the 2.5s, but i am shIte scared of getting into head gasket or valve issues which will be an expensive fix should anything go wrong.. IIRC the 6 has to be unbolted and tilted forwards to get to the rear head..

on acquisition, i plan on doing the belt, pump and tensioners myself... now, correct me if i'm wrong, but it's not a huge deal to remove the head and replace the gasket at this point on the 4 cylinder is there? or is this a massive understatement?

In any case, the cars will all be stick for sure... that alone makes the 6cyl less likely, but they have been seen on the market....

anything else i should know? I am primarily concerned about driving performance, less about aircon and other conveniences in these models...

thanks!

joe

[Davidm1600]

Hey Joe good to hear you are returning to the Alfa fold after some time.  I will admit my bias by noting I have a '03 JTS 156 sportwagon (manual) and have had the car for a bit over 2 years.  I have no experience with the V6, though like yourself love the engine note of the Alfa V6.

I went for the JTS over the Twinspark as being a newer model it offered some advantages, slightly more power and better fuel economy over the twinnie.  Not that the Twinnie is a bad engine. Far from it.  Apart from the rebuild costs of the V6, the other reason I stuck clear of it was the fuel economy and from what I had read the handling is compromised slightly by the heavier weight of the engine.  Having not driven one I can't say if this is true or not. 

As to the reliability, I can only really talk about my own experiences and others may have had totally different experiences from me.  My car, (touch metal) has been superbly reliable.  I have done about 14-15000km in my 156 and apart from two services, and just recently a new set of tyres the only thing I have had to do to it was have a engine management sensor replaced.  The cost for the sensor and fitting was $240.  I will be looking at doing the belts in the next 6-11,000km which should cost around $800 to have done.  Its not a job I intend trying myself.

I also need at some time to replace the original shocks as mine are soft now, konis being my preference, and also to have the front sway bar bushes replaced. 

From what I have read the earlier model 156s had a poorer AC system (though note this is not an issue for you).  Mine works fine.  Similarly, the early models had a poor hifi. My car has the Bose upgrade and is excellent.  I think the other major differences include that the JTS model has traction control/Stability control, and 6 airbags, so from a safety perspective the later models are probably better. The leather seats in the JTS model are really supportive and comfortable, which is good for long journeys. I bought my car in Sydney and drove it home down the coast, so got to test it out really well after buying it.

I think the other main issue to check with any 156 is to have a good look at its service history.  I was fortunate that mine had a full dealer history and was a one owner car.  Good luck in the hunt for the 156.  Dave

[Anthony Miller]

If you buy the 6 you can fit the Q2 diff and even a GTA motor down the track if it takes your fancy for more driving performance

[wankski]

thanks david and anthony... appreciate the words...

not into performance in that way... ie. $$$, but will likely fit suspension and perhaps lightened flywheel (perhaps) and new clutch (i'm looking at cars around 100k on the clock afterall)

v6 is really nice sounding, but can't shake the feeling it will end up mad expensive, and considering the weight, it's only marginally more powerful than the JTS...

that said i wouldn't pass on the TS, the early dash suits as i'd likely go for an aftermarket h/u and speakers (only, no doof doof), and that suits the older dash far more...

in the end comes down to condition/price obviously... yep, good book keeping point, FSH is a must...

i've looked a bit at removing the head... after u get to the belt stage, it seems u'd only had to remove the alternator, TB and PS reservoir to be able to pull off the head... I'm sure it's hard getting to those mounts, (and prolly much worse on the 6), but can anyone confirm? anyone done a backyard head gasket job? strikes me as a good opportunity to clean the pistons and combustion chamber and check over all condition. then tear out the sump and get to some big end work...

[jayarr]

Hi,

if you are getting to the point of alternator, sump etc, why not just drop the entire engine and gearbox unit out. Would think that it would be easier than peice meal approach.

Cheers.

[wankski]

thanks jayarr,

just wondering why you would do that with the 4 banger... unless u wanted to do mounts and change the clutch at the same time...

you would still have to strip the accessories off the head to remove it whether its in situ or outta the car...

if i had a lift (and crane) i would no worries, but since i'm limited to axle stands, that aint happening...

the only other thing is that there is specialist equipment needed...

i can't find anything about it on the website, but is there some sort of club stash of tools (cam lock, TDC guage, long ribe tool, pulley tools, rear caliper reversing tool etc) are all once in a lifetime tools (almost)... anyone have these for the TS or JTS engine for hire or borrowing?

[jayarr]

Hi,

only from the point of view that it is so much easier to work on out of the car. Given that you are doing the clutch and head, you have to drop the water anyway, gearbox and shift controls. Head means most of the other gear including exhaust, manifolds and belts etc. Not sure about the chassis subframe, even bet you will need to take this out to get gearbox out. Start would be off for the gearbox. Sump is already on the to do list.

What will be left in the car? Block and alternator? Have an extra serving of weeties in the morning and you can probably lift that out without a crane. Would think it will be so much easier to assemble all the bits out of the car.

Cheers.

[wankski]

Hi,

only from the point of view that it is so much easier to work on out of the car. Given that you are doing the clutch and head, you have to drop the water anyway, gearbox and shift controls.

ahh my bad... the clutch and flywheel i meant to be down the track... as i said, looking at cars with about 100k on the clock, so i don't expect to have to do the clutch when i get it (good sign the g/b has had it hard, with alfa synchros, no thanks!)

so i meant i'd do the engine in one hit separately, then suspension & brakes, then clutch/fly when that comes.... Likely to have the last professionally done.

thanks for the comments.... anyone know about the tools or of anyone on here that has done the head gasket before?

thanks again!

[wankski]

dumb question...

do any of the 156 models apart from the wagon have split fold rear seats??

i know the 159 sedans have it...