Alfa Pages

Rich B · Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 10:41 am Post subject: Bendy Vents

Does anyone have the same problem as me? The vent on top of the dash (the long one) keeps bending upwards in the middle - I keep removing it and bending it back into shape but it doesn't stay in shape for long.

Is there a solution to this problem?

Ta

Rich

bobbber · Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 11:16 am Post subject:

Hmmm.. you could try removing it, and placing it on a toaster for a short while (the invisible side down) - then when it starts to "bend", bend it into shap and allow to cool.

Might set your house on fire tho!

Bob
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Fiat Bravo 165 Sport

tvatavuk · Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 1:10 pm Post subject:

Try another vent top from another 33 that you can see isn't bent?

If toaster heating doesn't bend it, then you should make a little wider opening on dash for it, but be carefull not to widen it too much.
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Little black dress which replaced Alfa Romeo 33 S 16v Permanent 4 GMo

john 33_16v · Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 4:43 pm Post subject:

Hi,

Mine did that. I took it off and either bent it straight or turned it upside down so the screw fixing pulled it flat.

John
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93 33 16v Mirtle Met
08 Fiat Grande Punto Exotica Red
90 Yamaha FZR600 Genesis- Silky white/red/blue

Guest · Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 6:13 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the tips - I've tried straightening it several times which works for a while and then it bends again. Any idea why it does this? My theory is that the aperture is not long enough and as it gets warm eg when demisting or in warm weather, there is no room for it to expand and it bends.
It seems that not everyone is affected by this problem,

Yours straighteningly

Rich

Horizontally Opposed · Alfasud Joined: 29 Aug 2004 Posts: 44 Location: Greece

My 33 is one of the few I've seen that don't have this problem...
Although most of the interior door handles have been badly damaged by the sun the top vent is just fine.
I really find this strange since the car has developed almost every problem mentioned on this forum (due to lack of attention from previous owners) and looks like it was left in the sun for prolonged periods of time....

Ben_nz · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 5:58 am Post subject:

The vent is made of metal right? Mine doesn't bend, and given the thickness of the metal I'd be surprised if it did.
As it is I'm surprised Alfa made the vent out of metal in the first place when they could have used cheap plastic..

bobbber · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 9:16 am Post subject:

Mine IS plastic!? Shocked

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Fiat Bravo 165 Sport

Guest · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 9:56 am Post subject:

Mine is metal and I can promise you it does bend!!

Rich B · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 11:22 am Post subject:

oops, forgot to log in! My vent is pretty thick metal and takes a bit of effort to bend back into shape but it doesn't take very long to go bendy again.
Maybe I should try and get a plastic one (I wasn't aware that plastic ones were available - are they fitted to early cars? Mines a 1994 model)

Cheers

bobbber · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 12:04 pm Post subject:

Mines plastic, 1990 Series III
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Fiat Bravo 165 Sport

Horizontally Opposed · Alfasud Joined: 29 Aug 2004 Posts: 44 Location: Greece

Metal??
Mine is plastic too. '91 Series 3 1.4 IE.

Guest · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 12:46 pm Post subject:

My 1991 16V has a metal one, also my previous 1990 1.3VL and 199? Imola had metal ones.

Guest · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 12:48 pm Post subject:

We are all talking about the horizontal vent close to the window? Not the ones in the center console?

john 33_16v · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 12:56 pm Post subject:

There are plastic vents under the metal 'finishing' strip. Perhaps the bendy metal strips have been thrown away??

My 33 16v '94, brothers old '90 S2 and '87 S2 Minari donor all have/ had metal strips.

John
_________________
If it aint broke, fiddle with it until it is!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
93 33 16v Mirtle Met
08 Fiat Grande Punto Exotica Red
90 Yamaha FZR600 Genesis- Silky white/red/blue

gritsop · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 12:56 pm Post subject:

If we are talking about the winscreen vent (on top of central console), mine is a metallic one. I have a spare one also from another 33 probably 1st quarter of 1991 and it is also metallic.
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bobbber · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 1:38 pm Post subject:

I take it all back!!! It's METAL on mine with a plastic coating of some kind!!!!! OOPS!

Bob
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Fiat Bravo 165 Sport

bobbber · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 1:40 pm Post subject:

It LOOKED plastic though until I ran my fingernails across it, when it sounded like a harp!!!! CHING CHING!

Bob
_________________
Fiat Bravo 165 Sport

Rich B · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 2:52 pm Post subject:

right that's solved that then, we've all established that the vent is metal (the one on the top of the dash that demists the screen for those who've joined the debate late in the game!), but how in the blazes do I stop it bending?

bobbber · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 3:55 pm Post subject:

Buy a new one....

From your local Alfa dealer.

Bob
_________________
Fiat Bravo 165 Sport

johnboy · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 4:13 pm Post subject:

paulhide · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 5:39 pm Post subject:

Weird, all of mine are okay, although I think my old black 33 had a bent one which I bent back into shape and stayed that way. Maybe your heater works better than any of mine?
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lee16v · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 6:21 pm Post subject:

Hi,
I took mine out and straightened it when i first got the car......next day it was bent Confused

.....then i gave up! It was a mystery to me as the grille wasn't a tight fit in the dash??? weird
try not looking at it or better still sticking a house brick on top of it, that'll keep the bugger flat Wink

Rich B · Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 7:46 am Post subject:

thanks lee16v - I have exactly the same problem, I'll try the housebrick, that sounds like the best solution!!

baiones · Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 6:19 pm Post subject:

You are talking about te centre vent on the dash right ?

The one that defogs de windshield ?

Try one metalic grill from a series 2 .

Worked for me . The fittings are a bit different...
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Baiones

ALFA ROMEO 33 1.5 QV
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