Buying a 406, but not sure about the engine

richiereality · Post by **richiereality** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 4:54 pm

Hi there i hope you help me

im Looking at buying a R plate 406 2.0 16v, i love the car it drives fantastic but has two problems im not sure about,

1 The clutch is very stiff, but ive been told it just wants a new cable.

2 This is the big one. The car has only done 46000 miles, but ive noticed when i rev it, it gives
out a bit of white smoke, and even gives out a few whisps from the exhaust when you turn it
off. Is the a bad sign or is it normal for these motors?

Please help many thanks RR.

Gracchi · Post by **Gracchi** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 5:16 pm

hi, myne is same car as yours, 92,000 though, myne also gave some puffs of smoke out of it,, my car slowly got worse,finaly with the cat going, and no power coming threw the car.

im still waiting on the part, i should put it on at the weekend,then do a dio, so carnt really say if it has stopped the odd puff of smoke.
will let you know.

or maybe they all do it.?

GeordieBoy · Post by **GeordieBoy** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 5:59 pm

They should be lots of 406's about for that price now, so if in doubt walk away.

Got no idea what all that means as I aint a mechanic.

If a car is looked after it should last 200k+ with just the normal wear and tear.
Some ppl on here have petrols over 100k and over 180k and still going strong.

Foghorn Leghorn · Post by **Foghorn Leghorn** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 7:46 pm

Be wary of people saying ' its just the cable', if thats the case then why haven't they had it done? It might be just the cable or it could be MUCH worse...

the white smoke from the exhaust is due to water, this could be as simple as water condensed in the exhaust system or at worst case a knackered head gasket.

As Geordieboy says, there are loads of 406's about so you can afford to be very picky (I was

) if it doesnt seem quite right then walk away and find one that is spot on.

Fog

niz406 · Post by **niz406** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 9:35 pm

I doubt very much that from the low milage a headgasket will have gone from factory... unless it was made from toilet paper and tin foil !

lol

Was the car cold when they started it for you? Sounds like typical condensation as mentioned by Fog! During winter mine splurts out white smoke for a good few hours... its just the weather conditions (external temp) and the stainless steel disagreeing ! Get the engine up to normal operating temps and if there is still white smoke get worried!

As for the Clutch cable being stiff.... check the pedal springs.... and also the condition of the cable at both ends... as its cable driven it will be stiffer than that of a hydraulic variant.... much stiffer ! My misses loves the power delivery in my car when she drives but hates the fact the clutch pedal is so soft and the accelerator pedal is so stiff ! and thats hydraulic vs cable ! She's just a whu's !

Captain Jack · Post by **Captain Jack** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 11:46 pm

Hmm I thought all clutches in 406's were hydraulic?

I gotta say though, I love the light clutch. I've driven loads of cars at work (Audis, Beemers, VWs) and none have clutches lighter than my 406's... weird..

richiereality · Post by **richiereality** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 4:08 pm

thanks for the advice guys.

im having another look tomorrow, but there is just one more thing, there is a guage on on the left hand side of the dash next to the rev counter that goes all the way from left to right before you start the car then goes back to zero when the car is running. can anyone tell me what its for and is it normal.

cheers

niz406 · Post by **niz406** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 5:18 pm

That guage is oil level... it only reads when the ignition is turned on and the car stationary.... it cant read whilst your car is moving now!.... can it? he he he

And Fog,

I thought that too, Cirtoens are like that too... some are cable and some cable!

Why.....who know's darn european car builders !

Miles · Post by **Miles** » Sat Sep 30, 2006 8:01 pm

If the clutch is stiff it's more like the cross shaft rusted up in the bearings (Common problem on BE3 boxes), Expensive job as the box needs to come off

Foxy · Post by **Foxy** » Sat Sep 30, 2006 9:51 pm

406s dont use BE3 boxes

Miles · Post by **Miles** » Sun Oct 01, 2006 12:38 am

Yes they do, All the XU engine's use the BE3 or the BE4 which is basically the same box

jameslxdt · Post by **jameslxdt** » Sun Oct 01, 2006 1:48 am

all xu's were be3 apart from the 2.1 td which has a hydraulic clutch and ml5t gearbox which was unique to this engine

dougspug · Post by **dougspug** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 11:39 am

.both problems could be caused by lack of use/short journeys,peugeots are prone to condensation problems especially in colder weather ,sounds like this car could do with a good long distance thrash,injector cleaner,octane booster.
problem areas are breather hoses and the exhaust,as you say.p.s.this car has ridiculously low mileage for year,has it been sitting?.