Peugeot 205 XR

[PrinceRupert]

ReverendCounter said:

Can you take the old one to a friendly parts place and get them to compare it and get the right one off the shelf rather than order through parts numbers? Might be a safer bet. I think it would count as an essential journey if there was any question.

In an ideal world, yes, but the old belt was binned a long time ago.

The two key DIY mechanics lessons I have learned so far ...:

(i) don't bin the old part until you know the new part fits
(ii) bag up bolts with parts or you end up with a box of bolts and a bunch of parts and no idea which bolt goes with which part ...

[PrinceRupert]

Breadvan72 said:

Where are you, OP? My mobile mech is in Worcs. He is about 30 quid an hour and is the problem solver supreme.

SE9. I am quite tempted to get a mobile mechanic round to confirm my timing belt looks properly fitted before I turn the key for the first time...

[PrinceRupert]

ReverendCounter said:

Crikey, look what I've found!

https://www.bearingboys.co.uk/Timing-Belt-Finder--...

String? Pah!

Excellent. Will measure.

I actually ordered one this morning after using the parts catalogue someone linked earlier to find the OEN. Let's see if it fits...

[PrinceRupert]

xstian said:

Have a bit of faith in yourself Besides, if it all goes horribly wrong it will speed up the 16v conversion.

I actually sold that engine hoist I bought earlier in the thread as I kept tripping over it in my small shed. Let's hope I don't suddenly find myself needing one...

[PrinceRupert]

In fact, given the belt only drives the alternator, I could probably go start the engine now and see if it runs, no...?

[PrinceRupert]

I need to refit the battery, and build up the courage, and have a four hour meeting this afternoon so may not be today ...

[PrinceRupert]

Aux belt on this morning and key turned. After it being a little hesitant to catch, its alive! Let it run for a few minutes before turning it off as there was a LOT of white smoke from the exhaust and a little from the engine itself. Normal water/muck/condensation burning off from it having sat for a while or possibly something more sinister...?

[PrinceRupert]

http://imgur.com/gallery/ieCdHoj

[PrinceRupert]

The more worrying sign is after idling for a few minutes I get smoke from the manifold. I'm squeezing the lower radiator hose and it doesn't seem full of coolant. I'm concerned I've got an airlock in the coolant somewhere and its overheating.

It smokes a lot more with the choke out too

[PrinceRupert]

This may be a stupid question.

Is it true that the thermostat won't open and therefore coolant won't circulate through engine (and therefore lower radiator hose) until engine is up to temperature?

Could the problem be a stuck closed thermostat?

[PrinceRupert]

ReverendCounter said:

Have you run it long enough for the fan to kick in?

Possibly not. Fan isn't on. It is a cold day. Just get nervous when I see steam from manifold...

[PrinceRupert]

So this just happened...

Are batteries waterproof...

Not sure what that means, that the system has no airlock...

[PrinceRupert]

Thank you. I have a thread on Retro Rides as well and someone has suggested it sounds normal for a car on a cold day that has had the water pump changed. So perhaps I just need to let it run for longer to get up to temperature and make sure the fan works. I suspect that will take some time on a cold day like today! Your tip on testing it is noted.

[PrinceRupert]

ReverendCounter said:

Oops. Maybe the fan isn't running, causing coolant to overheat and pressurise?

That happened when I had the cap off, so perhaps anticipated? Cap is now back on ...

[PrinceRupert]

ReverendCounter said:

Is there a bleed valve somewhere for trapped air to be released when the engine gets hot? Somewhere next to the thermostat, perhaps, looks like a schrader bike valve with a screw cap, or maybe a small screw cap somewhere in a coolant pipe on the upper height of the engine rather than down near ground level.

The system needs to be able to bleed air off. I recall you're supposed to open the lower one first, let air out when the engine is hot (risk of being slightly scalded, I don't mean to be patronising, just in case) then when liquid runs out, move to the upper bleed screw of there is one, repeat.

Yes there are two - one at the back near the heater core, which when opened releases coolant, which is good - and one near the thermostat. I opened the latter earlier but nothing was coming through it, but think that was because engine was not up to temperature. So will do it now.

Oh and given my obvious amateur skills I need to be patronised

[PrinceRupert]

Hmm. It isn't idling well and when warm, will stall when the accelerator is pressed.

http://imgur.com/gallery/va8ubbE

Any ideas? Carb needing tweaked?

Edit: though given i haven't touched the carb not sure how it can be that...

Timing belt not right...?

Edited by PrinceRupert on Saturday 16th January 16:46

[PrinceRupert]

I have some carb cleaner, just need to work out where to squirt it! I'm just not sure why it would be the carb given I didn't touch it. The only part of that system I touched was replacing the oil breather pipe with a length of hose and changing the air filter. I also put new spark plugs in...

Home mechanics section sounds a good idea!

[PrinceRupert]

Thanks. Either that or im misusing the choke.... Can investigate the carb tomorrow.

[PrinceRupert]

In other developments i decided to pop the new wheels on the rear as well. It was a bit rusty and grim back there so I attacked it with a wire brush. Found two problems...



This fell off. Any ideas what it is...



Assume a bodged brake line?

[PrinceRupert]

It turns out it is the bump stop. Now to work out if it is easy to replace!