new car...

tris · Unread post by **tris** » 24 Aug 2005, 02:16

Can you believe people who buy cars without doing the most basic of checks?? I thought in this consumer age that we all did our research and know what we are buying, it seems I am wrong.
A friend of mine informs me that she is looking for a new car, so I say "ok I will help you out, I know a little when it comes to cars". But before I even know it she has bought one. Fair enough I think, not may car, not my problem.
So yesterday I get a message asking me to look at her car as there is an oil leak, so I go over. First impressions of this hasty purchase are poor. Its a good model, '96 pug 106 1.4d, but appearance is shabby, bonnet is slightly lighter suggesting a replacement at some point and some trim is poor. Ok back to the problem in hand, oil leak;
Omg! I have never seen an oil filter so rusty!!!! When the hell was that changed if its had a chance to go so rusty its sprung a leak from a hole! I'm guessing at least a couple of years!
So I'm now thinking when the last time this thing was serviced? My main concern is the condition of the cambelt. Going through the service history I find no mention of anything but one service from the last owner, in which the girl had the car from 2000 till now putting on some impressive 70k of service free miles it seems(now 100k). She must have been a taxi driver! (oh, I'm not saying taxi drivers dont look after thier motors;)
Anyway I'm gonna be a good lad and change the oil/filter for her and have a quick visual look at the belt.
Some quick questions:
* How often is the cambelt change on this model and is it a straighforward affair? I changed the belt on my petrol ax when I replaced the head gasket and I found this a little fiddle but
manageable.
* What sort of quote should she expect from a garage for this job?
****more good news, she informs me that the car sometimes pops out of 5th on the motorway*** yay! new box?
My advice is always take advice!

citronut · Unread post by **citronut** » 24 Aug 2005, 03:11

should not be any more than £60 squid inc belt,best check tentioner at same time,this is about £20 squid retail
regards malcolm
ps
where abouts are you

tris · Unread post by **tris** » 24 Aug 2005, 03:15

Im in portsmouth. I myself am from ther isle of wight and havent used any of the garages here.

citronut · Unread post by **citronut** » 24 Aug 2005, 03:21

i run a small repaire shop in st leonards on sea east sussex,trying to mend citroens
regards malcolm

tris · Unread post by **tris** » 24 Aug 2005, 03:51

really? thats interesting. im having running problems with my ax debut at the moment. Idle i would describe as erratic at the least. Think there is a sensor fault but dont know where to start as I have no access to parts to swap at mo. Seems to be fine for a while (one run to work) once i have disconnected the battery for a moment to reset. But then after its the same story. High revving, up and down revving like im trying to scare a rabbit out of a tree and sometimes nothing at all, especially when needed when pulling out of a junction. Not to mention the bunny hopping!
any ideas?

DLM · Unread post by **DLM** » 25 Aug 2005, 01:30

This isn't the first 106 that's had its oil filter rust through due to lack of servicing. 106s are tough little cars but boy, do they get neglected!