Engine & identification
Vehicle identification
| No. of cylinders Type | 6/DOHC |
|---|---|
| Capacity (Fiscal) cc | 3179 |
| Compression ratio :1 | 10,5 |
| Suitable for unleaded petrol | Yes |
| Minimum octane rating RON | 95 |
| Ignition system Make | Bosch |
| Ignition system Type | Motronic ME7.3.1 |
| Ignition system Description | Map-DI |
| Trigger location | Cam/Crankshaft |
| Fuel system Make | Bosch |
| Fuel system Type | Motronic ME7.3.1 |
| Fuel system Description | MFI-s |
| Air metering Type | Mass |
| Combined ignition and fuel ECM | Yes |
| Diagnostic socket | Yes |
Ignition system
| Ignition coil supply voltage + with ballast V | 12,0 |
|---|---|
| Distributor (ECM) Make | (Bosch) |
Firing order
The firing order for the Alfa Romeo 156 3.2 GTA (2002–2005) is 1-4-2-5-3-6.
| Firing order | 1-4-2-5-3-6 |
|---|
Valve clearances
Valve clearances on the Alfa Romeo 156 3.2 GTA (2002–2005) are hydraulic — they self-adjust, so no manual clearance figure applies.
| Valve clearance - INLET mm | Hydraulic |
|---|---|
| Valve clearance - EXHAUST mm | Hydraulic |
Engine oil & fluids
Engine oil
The Alfa Romeo 156 3.2 GTA (2002–2005) takes 5.9 litres of engine oil with the filter. The specified engine oil grade is SAE 10W-60 synthetic for all ambient temperatures, with API/ACEA classification SL/A3.
Manual gearbox
The manual gearbox has a listed capacity of 2.0 litres. The specified oil is SAE 75W-85 synthetic, with classification GL-4.
Coolant
The listed total cooling-system capacity is 9.2 litres.
Grades, filling conditions and capacities
| Engine oil options | |
|---|---|
| Ambient temperature range | All temperatures |
| Engine oil grade SAE | 10W-60 Synthetic |
| Engine oil classification API/ACEA | SL/A3 |
| Engine with filter(s) litres | 5.9 |
| Other lubricants and capacities | |
| Manual transmission oil grade SAE | 75W-85 Synthetic |
| Manual transmission oil classification | GL-4 |
| Manual transmission litres | 2.0 |
| Cooling system - total capacity litres | 9.2 |
| Brake fluid Type | DOT 4 |
| Brake fluid litres | 0.6 |
| Power steering fluid Type | Dexron II |
| Power steering fluid litres | 1.3 |
Brakes & wear limits
Brake disc thickness
Brake discs on the Alfa Romeo 156 3.2 GTA (2002–2005) are replaced at a minimum thickness of 26 mm (ventilated) front and 9 mm rear.
| Minimum disc thickness for replacement - ventilated Front | 26 mm |
|---|---|
| Minimum disc thickness for replacement Rear | 9 mm |
Brake disc and drum dimensions
| Minimum pad thickness Front | 1,5 mm |
|---|---|
| Minimum pad thickness Rear | 1,5 mm |
| Parking brake travel No. of notches | 1-3 |
Service & electrical
Ignition timing
The ignition timing on the Alfa Romeo 156 3.2 GTA (2002–2005) is not adjustable.
| Ignition timing - basic BTDC °Engine/rpm | Not adjustable |
|---|
Battery
The Alfa Romeo 156 3.2 GTA (2002–2005) uses a 12 V, 65 Ah battery.
| Battery V/RC(Ah) | 12 (65) |
|---|
Tuning and emissions
| Ignition advance checks °Engine/rpm | ECM Controlled |
|---|---|
| Idle speed rpm | 700±100 Not adjustable |
| Oil temperature °C | 80 |
| CO level at idle speed - tailpipe Vol. % CO | 0,5 Max Not adjustable |
| HC level at idle speed ppm | 100 |
| CO2 level at idle speed Vol. % CO2 | 14,5-16 |
| O2 level at idle speed Vol. % O2 | 0,1-0,5 |
| Increased idle speed for CO test rpm | 2500-2900 |
| CO content at increased idle speed Vol. % | 0,3 |
| Lambda at increased idle λ | 0,97-1,03 |
Starting and charging
| Alternator output A/V/rpm | 120/14/7000 |
|---|
Service checks and adjustments
| Radiator cap bar | 0,98 |
|---|---|
| Thermostat opens °C | 85-89 |
Spark plugs
| Spark plugs Original equipment | NGK |
|---|---|
| Spark plug Type | PFR6B |
| Spark plugs Make | NGK |
| Spark plug Type | PFR6B |
Tightening torques
Cylinder head bolt torque
The cylinder head bolts on the Alfa Romeo 156 3.2 GTA (2002–2005) are tightened in 2 stages: 24-26 Nm, then a final 228-232°.
| Cylinder head | |
|---|---|
| Renew bolts | No |
| Tighten | 24-26 Nm |
| Tighten | 228-232° |
| Cylinder head instructions | — |
|---|---|
| Other engine tightening torques | |
| Main bearings Renew bolts/nuts | No |
| Main bearings Stage 1 | 25 Nm |
| Main bearings Stage 2 | 79° |
| Big end bearings Renew bolts/nuts | No |
| Big end bearings Stage 1 | — |
| Big end bearings | |
| Oil pump to cylinder block | 45-55 Nm |
| Sump bolts | 14-17 Nm |
| Sump drain bolt | 45-55 Nm |
| Flywheel/driveplate | 29-32 Nm+50° |
| Clutch pressure plate | 26-30 Nm |
| Crankshaft pulley/damper centre bolt | 200-247 Nm |
| Camshaft sprocket/gear | 72-88 Nm |
| Camshaft carrier/cap | 18-20 Nm |
| Camshaft/rocker cover | 14-17 Nm |
| Inlet manifold to cylinder head | 19-23 Nm |
| Exhaust manifold to cylinder head | 24-30 Nm |
| Exhaust downpipe to manifold | 23-28 Nm |
| Water pump | 8-10 Nm |
| Spark plugs | 24-30 Nm |
| Fuel rail | 6-8 Nm |
| Camshaft position (CMP) sensor | 7-8 Nm |
| Engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor | 17-21 Nm |
| Lambda sensor (Oxygen) | 40-50 Nm |
| Knock sensor (KS) | 23-28 Nm |
| Engine oil pressure switch | 22-26 Nm |
| Chassis tightening torques | |
| Front hub | 67-74 Nm+62° |
| Rear hub | 304-336 Nm |
| Steering track rod end | 29-36 Nm |
| Brake disc to hub Front | 8-13 Nm |
| Brake caliper to carrier Front | 50 Nm |
| Brake caliper/carrier to hub Front | 152 Nm |
| Brake disc to hub Rear | 8-13 Nm |
| Brake caliper to carrier Rear | 50 Nm |
| Brake caliper/carrier to hub Rear | 53 Nm |
| ABS sensor Front | 4-7 Nm |
| ABS sensor Rear | 4-7 Nm |
| Road wheels | — |
Air conditioning
| No. of AC service connectors | 2 |
|---|---|
| Air conditioning restrictor type | Expansion valve |
| Compressor clutch/magnetic coupling | Yes |
| Compressor variable displacement solenoid | No |
| Air conditioning refrigerant Type | R134a |
| Air conditioning refrigerant quantity grams | 650 |
| Refrigerant quantity | |
| Air conditioning oil group | PAG |
| Air conditioning oil Type | SP10 |
| Air conditioning oil quantity cm³ | 130 |
| Air conditioning oil viscosity ISO | 46 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the firing order of the Alfa Romeo 156 3.2 GTA?
The firing order for the Alfa Romeo 156 3.2 GTA (2002–2005) is 1-4-2-5-3-6.
How much oil does the Alfa Romeo 156 3.2 GTA take?
The Alfa Romeo 156 3.2 GTA (2002–2005) takes 5.9 litres of engine oil with the filter. The specified engine oil grade is SAE 10W-60 synthetic for all ambient temperatures, with API/ACEA classification SL/A3.
What are the valve clearances for the Alfa Romeo 156 3.2 GTA?
Valve clearances on the Alfa Romeo 156 3.2 GTA (2002–2005) are hydraulic — they self-adjust, so no manual clearance figure applies.
What is the cylinder head torque for the Alfa Romeo 156 3.2 GTA?
The cylinder head bolts on the Alfa Romeo 156 3.2 GTA (2002–2005) are tightened in 2 stages: 24-26 Nm, then a final 228-232°.
What is the ignition timing for the Alfa Romeo 156 3.2 GTA?
The ignition timing on the Alfa Romeo 156 3.2 GTA (2002–2005) is not adjustable.
What is the minimum brake disc thickness for the Alfa Romeo 156 3.2 GTA?
Brake discs on the Alfa Romeo 156 3.2 GTA (2002–2005) are replaced at a minimum thickness of 26 mm (ventilated) front and 9 mm rear.