Dave

Trim the flakey bit back, maybe gently with a craft knife, then touch up with clear nail varnish ? Just an idea.

Munky Thanks for that was a little confused there.

Thanks Smaky will send you PM. Done at least I think so says sent but still sitting in the outbox, bit new to this forum message thing ! Dave

Smaky The issues as you read them are pretty much correct. 1) Thermostat I am thinking stuck wide open. 2) Whining which I think is AUX belt. Having dug through the pile of receipts the last cam belt change was 33k or 32 months ago and wait for it, the bill shows waterpump, cambelt, aux belt but no mention of tensioners/idlers so these were not replaced. 3) Climate could be down to me not knowing exactly how to run the thing ! 4) Alarm well bingo on that one now seem to have a keyfob which locks the car (locking one beep and then about 10 seconds later a second beep) Starts first time What I could do with is someone to take a look and then knock my rose tinted glasses off and tell me how it really is. If I have bought a "pig" then I will look at disposing of in some way and salvage some of my "investment", if the little thing is worth saving I will get sorted. I am not without some mechanical knowledge, although lets just say it was on previous generation of cars (mostly old Triumphs) but to be honest there is so much going on under the bonnet that I almost don't recognise this as an engine ! Would be grateful for any help you could offer Smaky. BTW has 114k on clock and is an 02 plate JTS. She is all tucked up in the garage now. Thanks Dave

Now from what I remember that used to be a regular christmas trick ! Think we may have even done that during "rag week" when I was up at the college there !

Thats the right neck of the woods although a bit nearer the town centre than the station near a pub called "druids" I think it is now. Pond used to be full of all sorts of things from what I remember most probably best not mentioned apart from the selection of beer cans and bottles !

Pond in the high street last time I saw that it was looking particularly hideous ! but added a little to the highstreet I guess. Used to live in Cross Street just round the corner from the estcourt tavern enjoyed it mostly, work brought me this way! Was driving a white triumph spitfire when I was there, now that was a fun little car and as I am six foot five was definitely a little car !

Thanks LJ_GTA hopefully Smaky may be able to help, just feel like a right doughnut ! Hows watfordshire ? used to leave right in the middle there before I legged it off down wiltshire way. Thanks Dave

A sad tale for you guys where the heart has over ruled the head, with what could be dire consequences. Been looking for a 156 for a while and had one lined up which never came to fruition at that point I was shall we say a little dejected had been looking forward to a new toy. To cut a long story short recieved a call from an old friend who works in a dealers in Weston Supermare. A 156 Tourismo JTS had been offered as part exchange and they didn't want so did I ? Chatted thru all the usual mileage mot tax etc etc. Sounds like a good deal so off to weston I shot on the train. Looking at the beast she looked tidy enough body wise, interior was(is) filthy, sounded ok when run up, took her for a spin and seemed pretty nippy (compared with the Vectra B that I am stuck with at the mo) some checkered service history and cam belt done 30k ago. Well I bought said car at good price. Driving back from weston to the fun starts. 1) Stopped in a layby to fiddle check out things and locked unlocked etc and the alarm/central locking on the keyfob stopped working although the little led on the key lights. 2)Lights on, have bulb warning (drivers side tail light) but intermittently this and the idicator light for lights go off and on while the lights are on. Far as I can tell the lights are all functioning. Few miles later and now we get to the real fun :-( 3) Start to hear a whine from the drivers side of engine, matches engine revs exactly, thinking alternator bearings or something on aux belt but have no real idea. 4) Temperature gauge only reading 50-70 although when sitting in traffic rises to just under 90 ish so think sensor is ok. 5) Dual climate can set temp on passenger side but drivers side doesn't seem to want to set correctly twiddling the knob doesn't change anything ! I am sure there are more things wrong I just haven't found them yet ! Other than that there are some good points ! tyres are good, just had new discs and pads at rear, loved the drive and its good to drive something which isn't wallowy like being in a boat on the corners (vectra). The $64,000,000 dollar question now is where do I go and what do I do ? Can anyone recomend someone local to Marlborough wilts who might be able to come out and have a quick look and pronounce dead or give some estimate guidance ?? Can live without the alarm if I have too, thermostat obviously needs changing, belts I am guessing will be needed and all in a good service. You would think by my age (48) I would have learnt if something looks/sounds too good to be true it probably is. So I have been a fool and quite probably blown my budget, not a good plan when ya out of work, too impetuous and I should have taken more notice and not followed my heart. Any advice suggestions would be gratefuly recieved. Dave

Thanks guys sounds like FiatECUscan gets the nod. I will of course purchase a copy its only fair to pay for the mans time as he has done a good job.

OK waiting for my new toy to arrive on Wednesday (156 JTS 02’Plate). Looking to get set up with some diagnostics software and cables. As far as I can work out the cables I need are like these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ALFA-FIAT-DIA ... 1008492187 Then the software there seem to be two choices FiatECUscan and AlfaDiag. Any advice as to which would be my best bet for my model or for any other reasons welcome. Are there alternatives ? How useable is the free version of FiatECUscan (guessing its view only)? Thanks in advance for your help. Dave

Thanks Guys

What's your AlfaDriver forum name: Dave Whereabouts in the world are you?: Wiltshire What are you driving these days?: In a couple of days 156 JTS Tourismo How did you find AlfaDriver?: Google ! Describe your introduction to the Alfa Romeo brand: A rather sexy Austrian lady I knew had the 159 loved it and decided to get my own. Budgets budgets budgets oh and a lack of work and here we go with the 156, looking forward to it ! Outside of Alfa Romeo, what are your interests?: Photography, computers(Geek!) and fixing things What do you do for a living?: That'll be computers again! Tell us an interesting/crazy/unusual fact about yourself: I don't have any tattoos What's your "special skill"?: Testing the patience of saints If money was no object, what four vehicles would be in your dream garage?: - Dream daily driver: E-Type 5.3 V12 - Dream track car: Diablo - Dream all-rounder: Aston DB9 - Wildcard entry: Austin A35 Countryman What are you personally hoping to get out of AlfaDriver?: Help and some comfort we are all very slightly unhinged of course. And finally, describe yourself in five words: Tall,Dark and OK looking