Hi, new 406 owner

[pandp]

Hi everyone,

Well much to my suprise my dad gave me his 1998 406 TD estate yesterday. It has been sitting for quite sometime due to my dad in walking distance from work. I drove it 90 miles home from oxford and it was superb. It has actually come at a good time as my bike is currently off the road and since my partner passing her driving test, she has claimed the clio.

Anyway, my dad told me the 406 has a problem but touch wood it has started every time so far. Apparantly it had a starting issue and my dad said the only way to start it is by doing this....

Pop bonnet
Squeeze prime bulb
Turn key
lift lower of rear seat to expose the fuel sender
bang the sender and turn the key



I had to laugh at these instructions but apparantly this is the only way to start it should it mess around. I even laughed when my insurance company asked if the car had any security devices....think the above is enough to put anyone off trying to steal it.

With that aside i am very happy with the drive of the 406. This is my first estate but probably around my fifth Peugeot, had a few 306's. Size wise it is great to get the whole family in and the dog and even the mother in law if i really must.

Anyway, sorry about the long hello. Looking forward to getting to know a few of you guys and learning a bit more about the TD as this is my very first.

[jonsowman]

Hello & welcome! Do you know if it's the 1.9 or the 2.1?

I don't think either of these were ever fitted with lift pumps so I'm unsure about the fuel tank banging. Needing to prime suggests an air leak or perhaps a clogged fuel filter?

[pandp]

Hello mate, Sorry yes it is the 1.9. When it first started to do it he was advised to change the filter which he has done.

Like i say it has not done it to me yet. The tick over and drive is spot on. Would air in the system not affect the drive?

[jonsowman]

I was thinking if it was a very slow leak then fuel could be running back to the tank when the car was standing still, therefore requiring priming but not really affect running.

Someone else might have another suggestion as to what could be causing this?

In generally they're extremely reliable engines and very comfortable cars and you should get many, many miles from yours

[pandp]

It does sound to me like a very slow leak, i think it happened when my dad didn't use the car for a day or two.

Car currently has around 140,000 on the clock and drives superb.

I did consider buying another sender unit to see if that cures it....i think i will need to start another topic rather than asking questions in the welcome section.

Thank you very much for your help

[Doggy]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

From your description, you may have a partly blocked in-tank strainer - remove the sender unit to check, preferably when the tank's not too full. (If it's this, the priming bulb also tends to go soft)

[pandp]

Hi Doggy,

From my dads description the priming bulb does go soft. I'll attempt to have a look this weekend. Don't you need a specialist tool to turn the collar for removing the sender?

[Doggy]

It might not be too tight & undo by hand. If not persuade gently with some pipe grips, (they're kinda fragile).

[pandp]

Cheers doggy, as of yet this car has started first time every time so going to leave things alone. Atleast if it does mess around i know where to look, cheers