Just bought my first 406

[pacmannewry]

Hi folks,

My name's Paddy and I'm from Newry, County Down.

Yesterday I bought a reasonably cheap 1999 1.8 LX Petrol with 79,000 (???) miles on. I've had trouble with my last few cars (primarily oil issues with two Mazda 6's) so decided to cut my losses and buy a recognised cart horse for towing my caravan, albeit on the cheap. Car seems in really good nick but having had a clutch go on me in a vectra I used to own, I tend to be paranoid about them and wondered if anyone could tell me roughly where the biting point should be on the model I've bought. The reason I ask is because when I change into third gear, I have the awful feeling that it's slow to settle into it (to my ears anyway) but having not driven or owned a petrol car in years, I'm not sure whether it's my paranoia or just the general sound of things.

Also, where is the clutch fluid reservoir located and can it be topped up or is it a sealed hydraulic unit?

Thanks in advance.

[lozz]

Hello

welcome to the forum,

[pacmannewry]

Cheers Lozz - hoping to learn loads from more experienced people than myself.

[lozz]

Paddy, sorry mate, iforgot to try and answer your question,
the biting point on the 406 is right at the top on most, or the ones ive driven anyway,
they have a very light clutch compared to other cars,

hope that helps if any,

[pacmannewry]

Cheers Lozz,

That does help a lot - I think that's whats getting me as I'm used to mid to low biting points from the cars I've owned over the last ten years or so. Hopefully my clutch is good but having had a quick flick round ebay etc, a new kit doesn't seem too expensive. Regardless, I'll find out on sunday when I hook up my caravan for the first time. Fingers crossed.

[lozz]

You will get used to it in a week or so,
when igot my 1st 406 ithought the clutch was slipping but after joining this forum alot of others had noticed the same on theres,
so it Must be a Common thing on 406s for the light pedal,

It shouid pull the Metal tent very well mate,

[Nightshade]

Every Peugeot I've driven (and that would be many, many customers cars) has a tight gearbox and a clutch pedal that does nothing in the top two thirds of it's travel.
They all have a lot of throw on the pedal, but only a short amount of action. It's just a Peugeot thing

[pacmannewry]

Cheers folks - she pulled slowly and steadily with the metal tent on so no complaints there. It naturally doesn't have the pulling power of a diesel but it got us there and hopefully will get us home when I go back down tomorrow evening. Thanks for the info Nightshade - it will take a while to get used to the clutch/gearbox but I have no complaints so far.