Is it a wrong 'un?

Unread post by **Jon** » 10 Feb 2004, 14:19

My neighbour (of the Berlingo van with numerous problems fame) has made another gem of a buy with an N reg 306 1.9D 3 door picked up on Friday for £1500 at auction for his son..........
Usual auction fare 306 with no history, flat paint and dings and scrapes showing 82,000 on the clock.
Had a quick look at it on Sunday morning, and to be honest when he started the engine from cold it sounded like a blacksmiths anvil, terrible knocking mechanical noises which only subsided after it had been running for about 3 minutes, even then it wasn't quiet. We did an oil and filter change, diesel flter and air filter, which seemed to help slightly. But not much.Whoever owned it was obviously not too keen on servicing, the metal on the diesel filter was red with rust and the paper was on the verge of disintegration.
I also thought I'd take a quick look at the timing belt (shiny, needs replaced ASAP) and was surprised to note that the engine had clip on covers. All XUD Citroens/Peugeots went over to the bolty on covers at RP6264, and this Pug had a code 6903.
It sort of set me thinking whether the original unit had expired, and had been replaced with a running (older) XUD9.
Couple of questions (yes I know this should be in Peugeot [:D]). Anyone ever experienced a cold knocking XUD9? is this fuelling, or a more serious mechanical malady like a bad piston slap? In view of the clip on covers is it likely to be an old engine (the ID plate was missing....).

David W · Unread post by **David W** » 10 Feb 2004, 15:04

Jon,
Oh dear. What was he doing paying that amount? £650-£850 is a fair price for an iffy one of this age.
Have I ever heard a noisy XUD...oh yes. And I avoid them at all costs. There are two states for these engines...amazingly smooth for their age/mileage and a pleasure to run...and then there are a few dogs that clatter away like an old tractor, pee oil everywhere and smoke like the devil.
You only have to see some of the posts on here to know the amount of engine changing that goes on, a s/hand unit from the breakers is often advised rather than splashing out on a new/exchange head after some disaster.
Thing is though as far as some breakers are concerned any engine that will just cough into life is "a good un"!
It could be over advanced pump timing but all your clues about the vehicle condition say otherwise.
As a matter of interest I've just brokered the sale of a mint 1996 306 1.4i between friends. Known to me for 3yrs with a full history, stamped book and receipts. Serviced only 500mls ago with tax and a long MOT....only £1250.
Sometimes folks search for a diesel to save on fuel costs but end up paying more overall in the end.
David

ActivaV6uk · Unread post by **ActivaV6uk** » 10 Feb 2004, 15:40

I had a 1.7 XUD turbo BX i bought on eBay the engine was making a knocking sound and sounded like a bag of nails, it didn’t do it for long though as it went bang after 10 miles on the way home... The car was unfortunately jinxed as I took the engine out to fix it and as we moved it on a Crain the engine lifting eye that some one had modified slipped and dropped the engine 1m+ onto the concrete drive below cracking the block and breaking the exhaust manifold/turbo... so I scrapped the engine and never bothered looking at what went wrong...
Andy

Unread post by **Jon** » 10 Feb 2004, 15:59

Thanks David & Andy.
Will report back again soon as doubtless the 306 will be occupying some more of my time soon as I'm going to put a belt and a waterpump on it. You have to show willing.
Andy, a cautionary tale!!! It make me laugh though!
BTW I asked neighbour why he bought the 306 and was told "my son liked it as it has alloy wheels and is black". Never mind anything else then!!!!

ActivaV6uk · Unread post by **ActivaV6uk** » 10 Feb 2004, 16:12

"BTW I asked neighbor why he bought the 306 and was told "my son liked it as it has alloy wheels and is black". Never mind anything else then!!!!"
That could have been said by any of my uncles all my cousins seem to be after image and not a car that works (says the guy with one of the most advanced cars on the road).
fortunately out of 10 BX's that came my way last year that was the only major problem I had, I assume that the modification that was made to that eye was because some one was too lazy to undo the bolt all the way so they cut the bottom of the eye so it slid under the bolt that held it to the block, great except the bolt wasn’t done up tight enough... the moral of the story check the lifting eyes even if you think they should be ok, make sure!
Andy
(Jon did you get my email yesterday?)

blueboy2001 · Unread post by **blueboy2001** » 10 Feb 2004, 16:22

The auctioneer must have run him up something chronic on that, even in the banger auction at Haydock on a Wednesday night something like that would never even make a grand, and thats a haven for overpriced, rough old junk! £1500 gets a reasonable 1995/6 TD in the free ads.
What about swapping it for a TD engine? Sounds like a waste of time changing the timing belt and water pump if its past the point of no return and the engine is older than the car.

Unread post by **Jon** » 10 Feb 2004, 17:08

This gem was from the auctions at Whitney, Oxon. Apparently it was bid up from £700 by "another chap who really wanted it as well"..............Probably the ex owner! [;)] [:p]
I agreed to help with the belt and pump as I've done loads and can get them the parts cheap, admittedly it won't help the engine. as is. The way I look at is that its a favour, and I don't give the 306 long anyway before it blows up (likely) or crashes (driver, neighbour's son who passed test a couple of weeks ago)
At least if it blows I suppose we can liberate a better engine from a cheapo ZX, probably get a whole car cheap enough running.[:)]
Andy, didn't get email, try [email protected]