Possible new Peugeot owner...

[BruceT]

Good evening,

We are looking at trading in the Mondeo ST24 Hatchback for something larger (For the dog) and more economical as we do a fair amount of motorway miles.

We have come across this 406 Estate and are going to see it tomorrow and would like some feedback on what to look out for and common things to check?

Thanks,

Bruce, Rebekah and the dog...

http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified ... &logcode=p

[steve_earwig]

G'day Bruce I suppose the usual suspects are the electrics - make sure everything works - the air con - does it blow cold?

Actually, I think we've done this several times and succeeded in making our favorite cars look like total disaster areas, so I'll just say keep your eyes open and use your loaf. Hmm, 142k, should have had a timing belt at 96, may even be heading for its second. Also in that area is the crank shaft pulley, which can disintegrate (with not so hilarious consequences) and should be replaced with the belt (check for rattles and swarf).

I don't think you'll like the car anyway as coming from the Mundeo the performance will be glacial, to say the least.

[Welly]

Check the a/c works.

Check what the coolant looks like in the bottle (dirty brown is bad).

Check the radiator and it's hoses for signs of leaks.

Rev the engine from tickover (just a little rev) if the engine lurches forward by any more that 40mm then the rear lower mount is worn (£140.00 job) trouble is if it's left like it then it will rupture the exhaust downpipe flexi and the front intercooler hose (all not cheap). Mine was used for towing a caravan in it's former life (unknowing to me) and I think this took it's toll on the engine mount.

Suspension knocks are fairly common and cheapish to fix.

Have a sniff around the EGR valve (left rear side at bulkhead) with the engine running/blipping the gas (you can reach over to the throttle pot near the battery to do this) and if it smells like dirty exhaust fumes then the EGR is leaking (£100.00 or so) also makes it smoke and lack a bit of performance.

Speaking of performance, the engine should pull strongly from 1800 to 2800 rpm don't over-rev the thing as there's no point but this low-end power is where everything happens.

Look for a brown-ish dust around the crankshaft pulley as these can fail (chances are it's already had one anyway) a worn pulley will sound nasty like a metallic knocking/clicking noise.

Think that's about it but in general if it pulls well and sounds well then it should be fine, 80mph should come up with ease with a nice push from 80-95.

Head gasket failures have occured (but rare) so check that the hoses aren't fit to burst with pressure and indeed that there is no tell-tale signs of coolant blowing out the header tank.

The turbo itself is ultra-reliable in fact you should here it whistle clearly with the window down.

As steve said, not trying to put you off as 406 HDi's are pretty solid but all cars have problems, we just know which ones here!

(just noticed it's a 90bhp which is soooo much more simple than the 110 and probably better for it) A 'chip' might be in order though which it can easily cope with (120bhp).

Welly

[puggy]

Hi Bruce , all of the above but think you might be better looking for the
110 bhp version , more grunt and better fuel economy

[teamster1975]

Welcome Bruce!
Nowt more I can offer, the other guys have covered everything!

[Doggy]

Hi Bruce

Agree with most all the above, 110's proabably cheaper to run & more fun.
I usually go for the posher ones, cos at this sort of age you don't pay any extra for the goodies - you need a 2001 gtx or exec to get cruise for example.
406's are terrific mile eaters - mine is a real pleasure on a long run, pretty lively and economical too.

Wish I'd got one years ago....

[BruceT]

Well we've just picked it up today and have a few questions.


1. When turning the engine off the entire car feels to lurch back and forth, a bit like stalling. Could this be the rear lower engine mount?

2. When in reverse or 1st gear and pulling away there is like a vibraton. Again, could this be the rear lower engine mount?

3. No information centre But we have a GLX with the screen. Can it be done easily?

4. Who is "best" for a "map/chip"? Ive heard of Upsolute who quote 90hp to 116hp and more importantly 205nm to 265nm torques.

Is there any prefered manufacturer for Peugeot?

Also, will the cars IATS and EGT be ok with a map since the car has no Intercooler?

Can an Intercooler be fitted by any manufacturers off the shelf "kits"?

[Doggy]

G'day Bruce
The first 2 sound like possible engine mount problems - I think the recognised test is to blip the throttle with the bonnet open, looking for signs of the engine rocking backwards/forwards - if it does you have a faulty mount somewhere.

Don't know on no.3

You need to find out if you have a Bosch or Siemens ECU / Injection system - you can get a remap for the Bosch, but not the Siemens, though a 'tuning box' for the Siemens can be done. A search on here should give plenty of info.

Servicebox will tell you which injection system you have, or read the label on the ECU

[BruceT]

I did blip the throttle and the engine does move but not signigicantly.

How how are you suppose to rev it though?

Servicebox? I'll have a search but in the meantime if someone could give me a link etc.

I was gunna have a play this morning and give her a nice clean but its raining.

If its Bosch I guess its best to get a proper Map, if its Siemens a dodgybox then yeh?

[BruceT]

Registered on Servicebox.

Wow, how un-user friendly is that site or is it me?

Where do find whether I have Bosch or Siemens?

[BruceT]

The ECU is a Bosch one.

I wish it would stop raining so I could clean it

[steve_earwig]

...IATS and EGT...

I'm Always That Smelly? Extreme Gonad Trouble??

ECU - black box, inside r/h wing.

[BruceT]

Here are some pictures of the wagon

[eoin27]

When in reverse or 1st gear and pulling away there is like a vibraton. Again, could this be the rear lower engine mount?

I have this problem sometimes. Its my clutch. Doesn't happen all the time, just when the clutch is really warm. No slipping though.

No information centre But we have a GLX with the screen. Can it be done easily?

Yep. I did it to my D9. Buy a stalk from ebay with the button and get the BSI reprogrammed by the stealer. You're looking at £70 for all that (if you're lucky) BTW, you gots a LX, not a GLX. I realise it says GLX on the side.

Who is "best" for a "map/chip"? Ive heard of Upsolute who quote 90hp to 116hp and more importantly 205nm to 265nm torques.

All are much the same, judging by your cars age, you gotta bosch ECU so you should have no bother. Just find a reputable crowd.

[BruceT]

Service box says GLX as does the log book and HPI

What makes you think its an LX?

Could you give me a link to what an information centre stalk looks like?

are the tuning boxes on e-bay for £100ish good or is it worth saving for a map?