1995 306 rotten rear arch

[CitroJim]

If we're sticking to the HDi, I read of a 2.2 DW12 into a 205 and thought same in a 306 would entertain - again a big cast steel block upsetting the balance a touch (at which point the all alloy 16v DV6 looks like a decent upgrade - 110 bhp and light - and very revvy indeed.

That siounds like huge fun Matt

Many a hypothetical engine swap gone through my head, can you tell!?

I did sort of get a bit of an idea

[Orbit Motors]

Another albeit brief update, in agreement with the workshop I gave the work to, they passed it to their approved MOT station today, as we were in agreement that the last MOT station went full on trigger happy and absolutely rinsed it for no reason. So the new test station (who I have used before and they are decent, should have gone there to start with in hindsight) tested it today without having ever seen the car previously and pretty much only do tests and very minor repairs so were not biased, only found three defects and no advisories!

So back to the workshop with some better clarity on what actually needs doing, looks like it is a case of sorting the s**t repair the previous owner's garage did on the front jacking points (black tiger seal is not the same as welding, kids!) and the nearside rear where the suspension bump stop mounts to, and should be happy days.

Now that I'm satisfied there is light at the end of the tunnel (and no daylight when looking up inside the wheel arches), I'm going to order a service kit, new oil and some other minor bits to bring it up to scratch fully.

Quick question too: bit of a silly question, but what's the blinky red light about on my steering wheel? Is it related to the airbag? Seems to be the least common steering wheel as can't find much information about it on the net.

[Ross_K]

Quick question too: bit of a silly question, but what's the blinky red light about on my steering wheel? Is it related to the airbag? Seems to be the least common steering wheel as can't find much information about it on the net.

Same as the Citroen ZX. The LED is for the airbag...from memory, if it flashes you have a problem

[Orbit Motors]

Quick question too: bit of a silly question, but what's the blinky red light about on my steering wheel? Is it related to the airbag? Seems to be the least common steering wheel as can't find much information about it on the net.

Same as the Citroen ZX. The LED is for the airbag...from memory, if it flashes you have a problem

Thought it would be, cheers.

Are these cars pre OBD? I have Diagbox and connectors, just wondering if one of the older cables would still connect and communicate with the airbag module if so.

Car should be complete and having its retest in the next few days now that I've approved the additional repairs! Looking forward to driving it properly.

[MattBLancs]

Yes to my knowledge isn't OBD (or pedantically OBD-II) compatible - I don't think there is a main ECU to talk to on an XUD 306. I can't recall any sort of diagnostic socket on my 1995 306, but speaking from memory as is a decade since I had that one!

[CitroJim]

Indeed, it'll not be OBDII compliant Matt and to read it you'll need the proper Pug tool or something compatible... It's back in the days when the PSA protocols were strictly their own...

In the past I've read older Pugs using a Citroen ELIT and choosing the nearest Citroen equivalent vehicle... for example, a ZX in the case of a 306...

Depending on age or spec. it may have a 16 pin ODB-like diagnostic connector or the older 30 pin one...

[Orbit Motors]

She's back!

Picked up this morning. New section of arch fabricated and welded in, front jacking points also repaired and the nearside rear bump stop mounting area, courtesy of Cars Plant & Commercials in Nottingham. New MOT too, clean sheet and no advisories.

[CitroJim]

Excellent She's looking good!

[MattBLancs]

She's back!



Picked up this morning. New section of arch fabricated and welded in, front jacking points also repaired and the nearside rear bump stop mounting area, courtesy of Cars Plant & Commercials in Nottingham. New MOT too, clean sheet and no advisories.

Great news!

[MattBLancs]

Just for ease of future reference, more crusty 306 chat here:

viewtopic.php?t=73059


P.s. back on this topic, something nice about a "two digit" old style reg number

[MattBLancs]

Actually on the subject of number plates, given my newly gained knowledge of the area codes, (thanks CitroJim!) I can add something mildly interesting and generally irrelevant -

Your 306 ends UAC = Coventry.

And by coincidence that the internet seems capable of generating, my first 306 was M325 OAC = Coventry!

Sadly the above is long since dead as far as the DVLA info suggests. I sold it cheap with a dead rear axle (trailing arm bearings gone) as thought it "too big of a job" to tackle myself - think it was subsequently fixed but only did one more MOT before disappearing off the radar.

Incidentally, that MOT history checker is useful and heart breaking in equal measure! (If a sentimental sod like me anyway) - can confirm that every car I've ever owned managed at most one further MOT beyond my ownership before disappearing.