156 JTD Front Bumper Removal

Just spent all day on this - just to change the headlamp washer stop
valve!

Not mentioned in the 156 service manual for the JTD is that the three
upper retaining screws on the LHS are not as described - only the
petrol car is described. The one nearest the front is a badly corroded
nut and bolt not a torx screw. As if that's not bad enough, the
intercooler radiator and ducting lives in this place and completely
obscures the nut. I suspect significant disassembly would be required
(removal of headlight assy or intercooler etc?) to get to this rusty
nut and bolt. Anyway, I got the job done by swinging the bumper out
around this bolt enough to get the valve changed.

The easiest way to do this job is with the car on a lift. You need to
take the front wheels off to get the inner guards off to get at the 3
(or 2) upper retaining screws. You need the car raised to remove the
undertray (this may not be required but refitting is easier with the
undertray off).

My arms (up to the elbows) now look like I've been at war with my Cat
but the challenge has been completed!!

As an aside, it was a bit saddening to see just what a Main Dealership
can get away with in terms of not replacing screws or clearing drain
holes. Tie wraps galore. Hey ho..what do I expect for £100/hr

I wonder how they'll get on when my car goes in for a power loss above
2500rpm. The mechanic says they do plenty of 147 turbos. My money is
on a duff turbo (variable venturi playing up) or the MAF. Loadsa
dosh..yippee - I'm going off Alfas now.... To service and put right
what was wrong at 5 year old and 38000 miles has cost 1100UKP so far
and I've budgeted another 1000UKP for the power loss... :-((

Before someone says I'm mad for using a main dealer, I have to, due to
my personal circumstances, also, I do not have spare time to fix the
thing - today excepted!

Time for a cool beer..

--
Z
Scotland
Alfa Romeo 156 2.4JTD Veloce Leather
'Oil' be seeing you..
(Email without 'Alfa' in subject are auto-deleted..sorry!)