Buying a 306 GTi-6 - cambelt advice needed
Discussion
I'm picking up my new toy on Friday, a Peugeot 306 GTi-6.
It's a high miler, 236k of them, but the engine was rebuilt 100k miles ago so that doesn't worry me too much.
What is concerning me is that the cambelt was changed 20k miles ago in 2009.
I'm going to be driving the car back to Newcastle from Hampshire - how likely is the cambelt to snap and destroy the car's engine on that drive? The car has been garaged for the last three years, only taken out once or twice a week for a run (the MOT check website backs that up), so it's not been exposed to the elements in that time.
I've asked the seller to check the condition of the cambelt for me, so will know more about it then, but would appreciate any advice you guys can offer. I'll be getting it changed myself by the New Year at the latest but will do it sooner if needs be.
Thanks!
It's a high miler, 236k of them, but the engine was rebuilt 100k miles ago so that doesn't worry me too much.
What is concerning me is that the cambelt was changed 20k miles ago in 2009.
I'm going to be driving the car back to Newcastle from Hampshire - how likely is the cambelt to snap and destroy the car's engine on that drive? The car has been garaged for the last three years, only taken out once or twice a week for a run (the MOT check website backs that up), so it's not been exposed to the elements in that time.
I've asked the seller to check the condition of the cambelt for me, so will know more about it then, but would appreciate any advice you guys can offer. I'll be getting it changed myself by the New Year at the latest but will do it sooner if needs be.
Thanks!
So the cambelt is six years old and done 20k miles,so it should be OK.Its best to change those old Pug ones every 80K or 8 years whichever comes first.
BUT,that belt is going to be on your mind for every mile all the way to Newcastle.Why don't you come to some arrangement with the seller and have the belt AND the pulleys AND the water pump replaced at a local Pug Indi.
BUT,that belt is going to be on your mind for every mile all the way to Newcastle.Why don't you come to some arrangement with the seller and have the belt AND the pulleys AND the water pump replaced at a local Pug Indi.
The worry I have is that 30-35k seems to be the recommended cambelt change interval on these... Peugeot said 70k atclaunch but that was rather revised down when they started going pop and destroying people's engines!
Can't really afford to get it done right away, it'll be an after Xmas job - or I might just do it myself.
Can't really afford to get it done right away, it'll be an after Xmas job - or I might just do it myself.
Yes it started out at 72k miles I think then rapidly changed to 36k changes on the GTI-6 (phase 1 cars had a 9k service interval, changed on the phase 2).
Changing because of the age is just as important as changing because of the mileage, if you can get it done before hand, all the better imho.
Changing because of the age is just as important as changing because of the mileage, if you can get it done before hand, all the better imho.
GeordieInExile said:
LeeThr said:
How did you find the clutch?
I know the one in mine is as good as a gym workout.
Bloody heavy. The gearlever feels very loose and slushy too. Read it might be some ball joints that have gone?I know the one in mine is as good as a gym workout.
The lack of right hand lock sure makes parking fun...
Gear leaver feeling like it's not really connected to anything is another classic Peugeot trait of any car in that era. It's ust down to the play that develops in everything as the car ages. New set of gear linkage rods (look for an uprated Group N set) and replace the ball linkage if you can find a good one and that's about the best you will get it. The trouble is the more you improve certain parts, the more the play in other parts becomes apparent.
GeordieInExile said:
S10GTA said:
Yeah if you like. I read your initial post incorrectly and thought you were going the other way.
I definitely would like! You're a gent.The car didn't miss a beat all the way home. Love it.
Get the clutch cable changed, transformed the shift in mine....also get your hands on some uprated linkages (i have some you could have but i've lost 2 of the clips that hold them on the ball joints so you'd need to get your hands on some...)
Its addictive, mine started out standard and is now an out and out track car - its great fun
Its addictive, mine started out standard and is now an out and out track car - its great fun
S10GTA said:
The good lady is posting it today. Should be with you by the end of the week.
Top, top man. Thank you so much, let me know what the postage costs and how to get it to you.Chr1sh, ta for the advice - I'll get it looked over by a local specialist when I get the cambelt changed and see what they think the issue with the gearchange is.
I've noticed the STOP light has been flickering on intermittently - it does it for a fraction of a second then goes off again. Nowt to worry about, right?
GeordieInExile said:
S10GTA said:
The good lady is posting it today. Should be with you by the end of the week.
Top, top man. Thank you so much, let me know what the postage costs and how to get it to you.Chr1sh, ta for the advice - I'll get it looked over by a local specialist when I get the cambelt changed and see what they think the issue with the gearchange is.
I've noticed the STOP light has been flickering on intermittently - it does it for a fraction of a second then goes off again. Nowt to worry about, right?
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