The Log of maintenance, modification and ownership

Category: Appearance Page 2 of 8

Alfa156 multiple fixes

Sagged front engine mount again

Just 2 years ago, I replaced all three sagged engine mounts. The front engine mount sagged again. It was genuine with less than 8000km milage. how come……My mechanic told me I’m not alone. Someone has similar experience with the genuine engine mounts. No choice, bought another one

Alfa 156 2.0 front engine mount
Front engine mount for Alfa 156 2.0

Timing belt cover replacement

Since 90s, the engine bay of Alfa Romeo’s cars is always a nice place to look at just like their appearance. Hence the faded colour of the timing belt cover always annoyed me.

Faded colour on the timing belt cover
Faded colour on the timing belt cover

Removing the battery tray rust

The metal battery tray is easy to get rusty because of the emitted gas from the lead acid battery. I want to remove the battery tray rust with a lasting solution.

To prevent the battery tray rust from deteriorate further, a few things to be done:

  • Stopping the rust development on the tray
  • Add protection

Cleaning batter tray rust

The challenge is that the rust often comes back quickly if I repaint it with ordinary paints only. More advanced products are something called rust convertors. I learnt a product from a Mercedes KOL in the US. It seems to be a proven product.

I used it on two of my cars and it seems to work well and last long after a few years of applying it.

Miracle paint
Miracle Paint

There are 2 types of the Miracle Paint, one is thicker and one is thinner. I used both and the effectiveness seems no difference in the long run. The thin one is easy to apply but personally I prefer the thick one

Repainted battery tray
Repainted battery tray

Add protection

On top of the new layer of paint, I also added a layer of battery tray mat got from the US. I think it is worth spending a few dollars to eliminate all the trouble of removing the rust, painting, etc

battery tray mat
The battery tray mat

It is not easy to keep the mat clean but it is fine as long as it serves the designed purpose.

In addition to the two methods, there are two more options:

  • replacing the tray with a plastic one but it is not to make one. Maybe 3D printing can help in the near future
  • Replace the battery with a non lead acid one

I’ve done the 2nd option and should share the details soon

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