My new HDi...

[Bailes1992]

I'm smug with my 406... Although my Uncle HATES his C5, the bonnet catch fell apart in his hand this morning, the drivers leccy window dosen't work and the electric mirrors are tempremental!

Bought service items, so getting a service this weekend and I think i need to adjust the throttle cable.
The first 3/4 of the throttle dosent do much and then it shoots off around the three quater mark? Weird.

Then I need to sort out brakes and wheel alignment.

And then... I may have a sneaky remap

Couple of niggles so far though...

The throttle,
Rear N/S window dosen't work,
Drivers widnow switch does whatever it feels,
And theres a few rattles in the driver side door cars.


So I think this weekend I'l get all the door cars off and make sure everythings tight and all the connections are clean and tight.

[rwb]

the inevitable COM2000

Likewise, mine is fine. The one I visited on 1st was pretty much buggered though.

the inevitable lift pump

I don't have one :p
I expect Sam doesn't either.

the inevitable front springs

fine

the inevitable DMF

don't have one of those either

the inevitable drop links

fine

& the inevitable engine mounts

also fine

although I am too afflicted with a useless handbrake, and also with the airbag light (though it deigned to go off today following my wiggling of the connector a couple of days ago).

[rwb]

...remap

Aren't you Siemens? I thought it wasn't possible with the Siemens system (cf. no / no / yes.)

[Bailes1992]

...remap

Aren't you Siemens? I thought it wasn't possible with the Siemens system (cf. no / no / yes.)

Well apparently the 306 uses siemens and the guy who I will use dosen't seem to think theres a problem with doing it?

[Bailes1992]

Right a little digging...
The Siemens sid80 ECU CAN be remapped, it does NOT have to be removed from the car.
GotBoost down by me have quoted £225+vat for a stage one tune ~120bhp.
Waiting for Celtic tuning to get back to me, but their maps are more like 130bhp and 290nm's of torque! So depending on price, and weather ot not they remap Siemens ECU's will depend who I'l go with, if I map at all!

Also my throttle issue, guy on TDOC just diagnosed a worn throttle position sensor, just ordered a second hand one off ebay for £20 to see if it is the problem. Apparently quite common.

[Bailes1992]

Snapped the accelerator cable on the way to work today, I was having a blast and was on,off,on,off etc etc for about 5 mins
Fixed it with a 6amp Throughcrimp
So will have to change the accelerator cable aswell as the TPS this weekend!

Good news is my Uncles C5 has failed some more, even though he did a 300mile trip this weekend he had "DPF Defective" pop up on the dash this morning

So far though I'm really enjoying being back in a 406! Forgot how comfy they actualy are!

[OdinEidolon]

Have you started saving for the inevitable COM2000 replacement yet?

After much touching of wood, I would just like to point out I have yet to replace:

the inevitable COM2000
the inevitable lift pump
the inevitable front springs
the inevitable DMF
the inevitable drop links
& the inevitable engine mounts

though I do have to sort out the inevitable handbake for this month's MOT.

What's with drop links, front springs and engine mounts? I thought they were pretty solid on 406s. Actually since I didn't do any research, I don't even know what the symptoms are.

[highlander]

What's with drop links

They're made from chocolate.

front springs

Most 406s still have the original springs, which, after 10 - 15 years, have a tendency to snap, even if sitting still on the driveway. The noise has been likened to a shotgun going off

and engine mounts?

Not sure about this one, I've never owned a diesel 406 but neither of my petrols have had any problems with engine mounts as far as I can see.

[OdinEidolon]

Most 406s still have the original springs, which, after 10 - 15 years, have a tendency to snap, even if sitting still on the driveway. The noise has been likened to a shotgun going off .

C'mon my car gets 11 next month, don't tell me I have to replace the springs before any sign of failure (if there is any!)

[jonsowman]

Front springs on my '98 406 went last year, which would make it 13 years old at the time.

[OdinEidolon]

Front springs on my '98 406 went last year, which would make it 13 years old at the time.

But they just snap with no previous sign whatsoever? That's scary!
I have a 1yo baby and couldn't afford to stay blocked on the highway while on our bimonthly 120 miles (each way) trip home. If you tell me that, I'm afraid I should change them... any idea on how much $$$? No "sport" kit required...

[DaiRees]

I'm led to believe that the failing springs problem is at least partly related to worn strut top bearings placing excessive torsional load on the coil spring. This would explain why several seem to fail while the car is parked up, leaving the spring loaded in a manner it wasn't designed for, for a sustained period.

[jonsowman]

They tend to fail during low speed maneuvers, both mine went just as I was pulling out of the driveway (not at the same time!). Very loud bang, the second time I was going a bit faster and it ruined the tyre too

I can't remember prices right now, give me a while and I'll go and find the receipt

[Welly]

One of my front springs went at 9 years old/125K miles - has anyone ever seen the length of a standard 406 front spring? they're bloody huge

And the diesel engine mounts take a lot of strain because of the torque - the engine is literally trying to do a 360 on it's axis.

Here's one I paid for earlier:

[OdinEidolon]

I'm led to believe that the failing springs problem is at least partly related to worn strut top bearings placing excessive torsional load on the coil spring. This would explain why several seem to fail while the car is parked up, leaving the spring loaded in a manner it wasn't designed for, for a sustained period.

This means that replacing the springs isn't a solution at all?