406 TD Executive Problems?

[hendrixwoman]

Hi guys,
I bought an 1.9 TD executive yesterday from Ebay, perhaps not such a good idea!
Unfortunatley although the chap listed the car as in perfect working order I think otherwise!
Either the turbo is not boosting or it does not work at all. I did check the back and there's no smoke from start up so this has got me puzzled. Are they really that slow? Bare in mind that I drive an ST24 at the moment but that's not that quick!
When we first picked the car up the coolant light was on so drove it back. The chap assured us that it wasn't the coolant light but a low washer level light. Since found out today by looking on the net that it is indeed the coolant light GRRR She did drive back okay though covering 100 miles approx.
The brakes were also practically non existant, they require a lot of pumping so I'm presuming the server is faulty or there's air in the system?
The other thing that is bugging me is another light popped on when we were parking up last night. Apparantly it's a "water in diesel filter warning" light. What on earth????
I'm hoping this car has a case of dodgy Pug electronics, hence the light's that keep on coming on...oh air bag light has now introduced itself aswell
Can anyone shed any light on these potential problems?
Many Thanks!!

[Welly]

The 1.9td is not that powerfull really (90BHP? I think). It's a heavy car too.

The coolant warning light (cunningly shaped like a radiator header) comes up on here alot and signifies coolant loss. The most common culprit is the radiator and/or it's bottom hose "conrad" fiting. Otherwise it could be coming from the water pump or other hose somewhere etc. (hopefully not the head gasket).

The water in the diesel light isn't too bad and just requires the filter housing/bowl to be drained into a container from the drain off valve (just take a bit out, I think these are a bit tricky to bleed!! see what the others say first) a new fuel filter wouldn't go a miss and may be party responsible for a seeming lack of power.

The airbag light is very very common and is caused by a crappy electrical connector under the front seats - usually when you move the seat! make sure they're all good and tight etc.

Brakes I don't know other than they my hve been poorly bled? the Diesel use a vac pump to feed the Servo - are the brakes rock hard and useless or spongy and useless?

[hendrixwoman]

Thanks Welton for your reply!!
Only got the car last night and I'm currently at work so I'll have a look at the coolant levels etc when I get back.
The brakes are spongy and require some pumping but she still stop's fine! The pedal doesn't go to the floor.
I hear what you're saying bout the 90bhp lol I am used to having cars with more power but still I thought I'd experience a boost, like maybe just a little one?
Not fussed about the air bag light although I was hoping that I had a dodgy dash but perhaps I'm not that lucky

[mjb]

The airbag light is very very common and is caused by a crappy electrical connector under the front seats - usually when you move the seat! make sure they're all good and tight etc.

That's a common thing with any make of car with side airbags that's just been passed to a new owner. After years of being stuck in one place the (very sensitive) connector is tugged as the new owner adjusts the seat and will often move the contacts onto a bit of mildly oxidised copper causing the warning light

[hendrixwoman]

You've all been extremely helpfull so far, thanks

I'll let you know how I get on!

[Roy]

How come you drove the car anywhere without checking oil and water just after buying it.?????
As regards water in the fuel, on the front of the filter housing there is a finger nut with a 6mm spout coming from it make sure you have a pipe into a jam jar as it pi**'s out as suggested earlier I would recomend a filter change and a wipe around with a rag as there are some dips in the filter holder that hold gung and water

[Al4xand4r]

Either the turbo is not boosting or it does not work at all. I did check the back and there's no smoke from start up so this has got me puzzled. Are they really that slow? Bare in mind that I drive an ST24 at the moment but that's not that quick!

Hi Hendrixwoman

A bit on the slow side is my impression to I've got a Hdi 90 Estate but as said before it's a heavy car with long gears. I thought the was something wrong as I was driving a Colt 1.5 DiD 90 and that goes like a rocket now.

Apparently a chap called Jamie does a mobile remap at a really good price thats the way I'm going to go. Read this post viewtopic.php?f=1&t=5136&p=50461&hilit=remap#p50461 for more info

[poddack]

After a good service, oil and all filters he might just need waking up, a good thrash up the motorway, it's previous owner might have driven it like a granny, a good blast now and again is usually in order. The road behinf you might dissapear in a cloud of smoke, but that is short lived.