156 air vents - what cool best?

[Anth73]

Well the weather in Melbourne is warming up and once again I begin the game of trying to work out what combination of open and closed vents will work best with the asthmatic air conditioning in the 156.

Currently my preference is to close the top side air vents so that more air (I use that term generously) flows through the forward facing circular vents. I've also experimented with closing the top centre vent as well.

Note this is the updated interior. Phase 1 156's must be even worse.

Nominations please?

[saratoga]

I have done the same and still not happy.  You just have to turn the aircon on well before you need it. Nothing else works.  Doesn't it get hot in Italy???

[Gary Pearce]

Don't mind me I'm getting excited. 2010 here we come.    
Average temperatures in the Amalfi - Sorrento - Cilento area

The table below answers both questions.  The table shows the average temperature and average amount of rain that you can expect.  The "Average High" column shows, on an average, what is the maximum temperature during the day time that you could expect. The "Average Low" temperature reports what minimum temperature, on an average, you could expect at night.  Remember that these are averages, meaning that if you pick a single day, the temperatures could be higher or lower than reported, although not much higher nor much lower.  Also, these are monthly averages:  temperatures at the end of May will be much more like temperatures at the beginning of June, rather than in April.
Month    Average High    Average Low    Average Rain
January    54°F / 12°C    38°F / 3°C    4.10 in. / 104.1 mm
February    55°F / 13°C    39°F / 4°C    3.90 in. / 99.1 mm
March    59°F / 15°C    42°F / 6°C    3.40 in. / 86.4 mm
April            64°F / 18°C    46°F / 8°C 3.00 in. / 76.2 mm
May            72°F / 22°C    53°F / 12°C 2.00 in. / 50.8 mm
June            79°F / 26°C    60°F / 16°C 1.30 in. / 33.0 mm
July            84°F / 29°C    64°F / 18°C 1.00 in. / 25.4 mm
August    85°F / 29°C    64°F / 18°C 1.60 in. / 40.6 mm
September    79°F / 26°C    59°F / 15°C 3.20 in. / 81.3 mm
October    71°F / 22°C    52°F / 11°C 5.10 in. / 129.5 mm
November    62°F / 17°C    45°F / 7°C    6.40 in. / 162.6 mm
December    56°F / 13°C    41°F / 5°C    4.80 in. / 121.9 mm

Average temperatures and precipitation in the Amalfi - Sorrento - Cilento area.

[John Hanslow]

Wealth of information Gary for alfisti on tour.

I have heard that the aircon in 156's struggles a bit in on the hotter summer days. 

So, besides purchasing a car without a black leather interior, can you upgrade the fan motor in some way or at some expense upgrade the aircon pump or whatever ?  If you can make performance improvements to your car, are there ones that include an upgrade for the aircon ?

Cheers.

[Alfa156Melb]

Im in Melbourne, and often drive to Yarrawanga to see my family - up there it's VERY hot...

I have all the vents open - sure it desnt blast you in the face, but after 5 mins, the car stays cold..  I think its fine.... There are better systems out there for sure... Alfa's isnt too bad!

[grpa9x]

guys,
i find with mine is if its over around the 27 degrees the system is useless, i have taken it back to the dealer a few times with the same bulls##t answer that there is nothing wrong and the cars are not suited to our conditions.I try and make sure that if the car is parked that it is in shade and start the car and aircon a good 10 mins before driving, i find that the system will hold the temperature reasonably stable in the car as long as it is started before you drive, but certainly will NOT pull the temperature back if left in the sun on a hot day, USELESS , USELESS, USELESS.
CHEERS MICHAEL

[Davidm1600]

Well I don't have any problems with my AC in my '03 JTS Sportwagon.  When I bought it last year in Sydney, we drove it home to Tassie and given the hot weather we encountered it worked an absolute treat.  Icy cold, infact so much so wifey complained and was frequently asking me to turn it off or up a little.  Maybe my system is better than most ??  I normally always drive with the drivers window down, but thats a personal choice.  Oh and my car does have the black leather.  I just use a reflective sun shield when the car is parked.

As to the vent arrangement for me I find it best to have both the middle and side vents aimed at the driver/passenger and at your feet. Great combo.  As I mentioned on another thread I dont find the AC any worse than wifey's '98 BMW or modern cars I get to drive through my work.  Perhaps my experience though is tempered by our usually lower weather.

I know maybe you should all move to Tassie and then your AC in your 156s will be fine.  Just joking.  Dave

[156oro]

Hi Guys.

I've had my 04 156 for 1 month & did a coupe of mid 30's days and found it worked fine.
Would it be they upgraged the A/C unit with the facelift?

Just wondering if anyone else with a post 02 model finds the AC sufficient or still left wanting..!

[pep105]

As I understand the aircon was updated in the JTS facelift, in the form of a dual zone climate control system as per the 147. Not sure how much improvement there was although I must say the aircon in my old 147 was great.

While it was usually on full blast on very hot days, I remember having 5 people in the car on a 39 degree day and everyone was comfortable and another 41 degree ocasion and it did cope. While having it on flat stick for some time in heavy traffic nearly killed the twinspark engine, it was definately comfortable if a little laboured. Also my car was black with charcoal sports leather possibly the worst colour combination to keep cool.

I enquired about the 156 JTS AirCon with Lance Dixon when we were going to trade the 147 on a facelift 156 and was told the 147 air con system was superior as it was a more powerful unit with bigger ducts. However they did claim JTS unit was an improvement over the series 1 156.  A mate of mine had a 99 156 and thought the air con was abysmal as well.

[John Hanslow]

At our recent club BBQ, a knowledgeable man who has a 156 JTS (or updated) stated that the aircon  is "fine",  the problem is the hot air is mixing with the aircon due to the flap not operating or closing properly resulting in poor climate control.

It was thought that this may occur more often on the older cars due to higher usage although it seemed to be a common issue in JTS models ar well.  As I have a 164 with the stepper motors (you know the plastic gears !!!) replaced - as you do, does this mean that with the 156 era of car, there is a similar problem.

I am really interested in your thoughts and a solution - gear replacement - or another fix ?

Cheers fellas !