The Joyful Journey with My Alfa Romeo 156 - The Log of maintenance, modification and ownership

Auxiliary belt broken

On May 14, 2022

One day when I was enjoying the pleasure of driving the Alfa 156 on one of the most famous winding road in Hong Kong, the steering wheel all of sudden lost power assistance. Within the first second, my adrenalin level surged as I thought the car stalled again and a sharp band was ahead. While I was trying hard to turn the steering wheel, I realised the engine and the brake were running. Without further hesitation, got the car in the next passing place.

Tow service for the 1st time as a result of the broken auxiliary belt — 1st time using towing service after 4 years of ownership

With no idea what was happening, I decided to call the tow service. Indeed, it was the first time I have called for help on the road in the 4 years of ownership. Alfa is not that unreliable as said.

It turned out that the auxiliary belt snapped. Bought and shipped the new auxiliary belt from the UK and got it back on the road in 3 days.

Removing the balance belt

My mechanic asked me if I want to have a trial on the effect of removing the balance belt. Why not!

I don’t feel the engine running rougher after the balance belt is removed. Having said that, I didn’t often rev the engine high. Guess that the difference might be more obvious at the high rev.

Oct 2014

Timing belt cover replacement

By 156 Addict

On May 7, 2022

In Interior

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.

Removing the battery tray rust

By 156 Addict

On April 23, 2022

In Interior

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.

Rust on battery tray — Rusty battery tray

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.

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

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

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