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#1
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Some more newbie questions
Hello again
As mentioned in a previous post, I'm a complete newbie, not only to Alfas but to cars in general (only owned a car for a year). So I have a few questions.... They will probably seem daft, but here goes anyway. For an Alfa 156 1.8TS 16v - UK version 1) Cleaning the engine. How would I go about washing it safely? It's absolutely filthy (not oil, just what it has been picking up off the road)! 2) Oil. I know it's been asked before, but I'm confused by the amount of answers. I don't particularly want to send off for Selenia oil but I also don't mind spending good money on good oil. 3) Engine coolant. It's less than a third full, should I fill it? Can I drain it first? If so, how? What make of coolant? 4) Redex - Yes or no? Are there other cheaper makes that are just as good? 5) Would it make sense to have an FAQ with dumb questions like these? 6) Any other tips for a new driver? Thank you in advance! |
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#2
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Ypnos wrote:
> Hello again > > As mentioned in a previous post, I'm a complete newbie, not only to Alfas > but to cars in general (only owned a car for a year). So I have a few > questions.... They will probably seem daft, but here goes anyway. > > For an Alfa 156 1.8TS 16v - UK version > > 1) Cleaning the engine. How would I go about washing it safely? It's > absolutely filthy (not oil, just what it has been picking up off the > road)! Wouldn't bother IIWY. If you *really* want to do it, get some Gunk and use a hose. Steam cleaning is generally reagarded as bad for underbonnet electronics, but I've never been 100% convinced. > 2) Oil. I know it's been asked before, but I'm confused by the > amount of answers. I don't particularly want to send off for Selenia oil > but I also don't mind spending good money on good oil. Castrol Magnatec is just fine IME. You really don't need Selenia. > 3) Engine coolant. It's less than a third full, should I fill it? Can I > drain it first? If so, how? What make of coolant? Not sure about the 156, but there should be min and max marked on the header. Check the manual. Any decent brand should be fine. You can drain it if it is indicated by the service schedule, or you really want to. > 4) Redex - Yes or no? Are there other cheaper makes that are just as good? General consensus is they are all as pointless as each other. YMMV > 5) Would it make sense to have an FAQ with dumb questions like these? Possbily, but they're not actually that F. The FAQ was originally created as a way for me to limit off topic and spam posts. We have polled for more questions in the past, but there has been little response. > 6) Any other tips for a new driver? It's an Alfa, you've made a good start. Enjoy Coming to Alfa day? > Thank you in advance! Pleasure -- Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3 Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply) Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7 Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk |
#3
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On Tue, 22 Jun 2004 20:29:00 GMT, Catman >,
wrote: >> 3) Engine coolant. It's less than a third full, should I fill it? Can I >> drain it first? If so, how? What make of coolant? > >Not sure about the 156, but there should be min and max marked on the >header. Check the manual. Any decent brand should be fine. You can drain >it if it is indicated by the service schedule, or you really want to. Periodic check to see the level is between min and max. If you stand at the front of car facing the engine, the header tank is on your left, but the markings are hard to see on the front right corner of the tank. Stand to the right and look across the radiator at the tank and you will see easier. Any decent make of anti-freeze mixed as per the label on the bottle. Pete -- > 156 2.0 TS (2001) - Proteo Rosso (his) 147 2.0 TS (2002) - Gem Green (her's) |
#4
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Catman > wrote:
> > 4) Redex - Yes or no? Are there other cheaper makes that are just as good? > > General consensus is they are all as pointless as each other. YMMV Only worth trying on an older / higher mileage car, IMHO. Works best if poured neat into the cylinders and left to soak for half hour or so........ neighbours weren't impressed, though ;-) -- Steve H 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo' http://www.italiancar.co.uk - Honda VFR800 - MZ ETZ300 VW Golf GL Cabrio - Alfa 75 TS - Alfa 155 TS Lusso - COSOC KOTL BoTAFOT #87 - BoTAFOF #18 - MRO # - UKRMSBC #7 - Apostle #2 - YTC # |
#5
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Thanks for your reply!
What's an Alfa day and where's it at? I'm in the North West of England... |
#6
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Ypnos wrote:
> Thanks for your reply! > > What's an Alfa day and where's it at? I'm in the North West of England... *The* national meeting of Alfa Romeo owners. This year is also the 40th Anniversary of the owners club. Many *many* Alfas will be present. This Sunday Boughton House Just outside Kettering, Northants -- Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3 Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply) Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7 Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk |
#7
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"Catman" >
> > What's an Alfa day and where's it at? I'm in the North West of England... > > *The* national meeting of Alfa Romeo owners. This year is also the 40th > Anniversary of the owners club. Many *many* Alfas will be present. > > This Sunday > > Boughton House > Just outside Kettering, Northants > -- > Catman I hope the rain passes this area by and lets the sun shine over Boughton House on Sunday. I don't want a repeat of the flood at Spring Alfa Day 2004...!! -- David C 156 Selespeed sp3 + Brembo conversion |
#8
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"Catman" >
> > What's an Alfa day and where's it at? I'm in the North West of England... > > *The* national meeting of Alfa Romeo owners. This year is also the 40th > Anniversary of the owners club. Many *many* Alfas will be present. > > This Sunday > > Boughton House > Just outside Kettering, Northants > -- > Catman I hope the rain passes this area by and lets the sun shine over Boughton House on Sunday. I don't want a repeat of the flood at Spring Alfa Day 2004...!! -- David C 156 Selespeed sp3 + Brembo conversion |
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