406 buying advice?

[carbers911]

Hi guys, Ive had a quick scout around on here but cant seem to find a buyers guide for the 406.
I am a Pug man anyway and my old man has a 406 gtx 2.2hdi already so I know roughly what they're about, only Ive seen a '97 2.1td exec estate and wondered if there were any problems to watch out for a) at that age and b) on that particular engine. Its only done 90k miles but the body is a bit knackered and has no t&t. I always do my own mechanics so changing stuff is no problem, but any advice would be greatfully received.

Cheers
Andy

[mjb]

First, compare its price to similar models on ebay, it may seem expensive in comparison

They're tanks in terms of reliability, but at that mileage I'd definitely find out if it's on its original clutch. If it is, it could be needing a new one very soon, which may need the gearbox dropping. Other than that, check the handling, the aircon, the front suspension springs and everything electrical. Many D8 electrical faults can be easily fixed however.

[steve_earwig]

Timing belt!!!! Pig of a job on the 2.1 but worth doing because otherwise they're great engines. Umm, crap handbrakes a speciality but make sure everything else works.

[mjb]

Timing belt!!!!

Erk! Didn't I write that?

[carbers911]

Cock. Ive just heard its sold. Great.
Oh well, thanks anyway guys, I doubt Ill be getting a 406 now as I really need the 2.1td and there are so few for sale anywhere in the country.

[swiss]

crap handbrakes

That's not a bug, it's a feature

[HimBigChief]

I got my 97 2.1TD Exec in Dec 08 with no T&T for £300. Spent about £700 on it including cam belt, pulleys and tensioners and water pump. That includes MOTing it aswell, and has covered about 3k miles so far with no issues at all, other than when it's really cold the pipe for the washer jets comes off under the bonnet, just needs a little cable tie to tighten it down a bit though. Other thing mine may possibly need is the obligatory top engine mounting.

Just to give you an idea of possible costs/what it cost me.

[teamster1975]

crap handbrakes

That's not a bug, it's a feature

Funny you should say that, I replaced all the cables yesterday and adjusted it all up, and, wait for it.....
THE HANDBRAKE WORKS!!!!
I think they must have been the originals, the adjuster was a rusted lump. I'll post up a photo of it later.

[mjb]

Funny you should say that, I replaced all the cables yesterday and adjusted it all up, and, wait for it.....
THE HANDBRAKE WORKS!!!!

Give it a week...

When I had new discs+shoes on the tubby I nearly dislocated my shoulder first time I tried to put the handbrake on. A week later it was back to pointing at the sky again...

[teamster1975]

I'm waiting with baited breath
To be honest though, the handbrake has never held that well even after I replaced the discs & shoes but the new cables have made a huge difference!!
Time will tell of course...

[totaleclipse]

Timing belt!!!! Pig of a job on the 2.1 but worth doing because otherwise they're great engines. Umm, crap handbrakes a speciality but make sure everything else works.

x2

the one job i didn't do when i bought mine, and it bit me in the bottom !

tbh once you have the wheel arch liner and top engine mount off, access is not much worse than some other engines i've worked on.

top tip tho, spray some wd40 on the bottom pulley, can't speak for how they usually are, but i know mine was a pain to get off.

[eoin27]

When I had new discs+shoes on the tubby I nearly dislocated my shoulder first time I tried to put the handbrake on

LMAO

the 406 handbrake is crap. If anyone ever tried to pull a handbrake turn, the car would just ease into the turn and the abs would kick in

[teamster1975]

the 406 handbrake is crap. If anyone ever tried to pull a handbrake turn, the car would just ease into the turn and the abs would kick in

I'll be happy if I can do a hill start without rolling backwards!

[eoin27]

i meant emergency handbrake turns of course

[teamster1975]

i meant emergency handbrake turns of course

Oh of course!