New To 205 And Mechanic(Ing) - Resto Advice

[Richard2005 2]

Hi,

 

Apologies in advance if I sound dumb here.

 

I bought a K plate 1.9 last week. With the exception of Bilstein dampers, it’s original. I plan to keep the car for many years and kind of perform a rolling restoration as I go. The trouble is, I know little about the 205, though have got the Haynes manual, and have minimal mechanical practice/knowledge – I’ve changed discs and pads on a couple of cars and that’s it.

 

My first thoughts for the car are proactive maintenance.

1. Timing belt (last replaced in 2009 about 8k miles ago. Had a water pump at the same time)
2. Service – oil and filters (no idea how
3. Replace hoses

 

I’m not a total monkey, but have never replaced a timing belt before. I’m unsure whether I should tackle this or get a pro to do it. Thoughts?

 

From what I’ve read on this site, Baker hoses seem to be the way to go. Shall I get both water and oil? I’m guessing the rubber is 22 years old so would have seen better days.

 

I had the tyres replaced today - they were legal, but 11 year old rubber makes me nervous. The exhaust is being replaced on Friday as the baffles sound as though they've collapsed.

 

Are there other areas I should review/replace in addition to the above?

 

Thanks in advance

Richard

[MikeC 10]

Welcome to the bug that is 205

A good haynes workshop manual is a must for any of the jobs you might be undertaking (not the service and repair manual)

I went for a complete set of baker hoses, and they really are top quality.

The full kit is fairly expensive to start with, but rest assured they will be worth the money in the end going by some of the main dealer prices.

Be careful of the exhaust, especially if you are changing the downpipe from the manifold, as on the 1.9 the downpipe is a split type (two piece into one)

[Richard2005 2]

Hi Mike

I've only got the Service and Repair manual so will get the workshop manual too - thanks for the tip!

 

Yes, with new clips the hoses are over £400. Still, I guess they're cheaper than head gasket failure as a result of a failed hose.

As I won't have time to replace the exhaust for a couple of weeks and don't want to drive around like a boy racer, I've got Kwik Fit to lined up to replace the exhaust. They kept saying to take the car in at 8:30 as it's a long job...

[Miles 331 1 Cars]

Don't go anywhere near Kwit fit, they don;t have the best rep and will fit the wrong part without a doubt, The split D/P and mid sections are very hard to find as anyone on here will say, I did or do have a source of these if needed to OE spec

 

Manual the old Haynes is the one, the later ones are what I call bog paper versions well that's what they used to be I think

[welshpug 1,622]

A long job to fit an exhaust on a 205 with a 2 post ramp?! I would have walked off laughing if they said that to me...

[Richard2005 2]

Hi Miles

I'm not having the down pipe replaced, just the middle and rear. Do they use dodgy/substandard parts or something?

Thanks for the tip on the manual. I'll check the age - do you know roughly what year they went down the loo?

[Richard2005 2]

Hi WelshPug
I kinda thought the same. Could only assume they were expecting seized bolts or something. Made a mental note to check the mileage before and after just in case they were planning to play for the day

[MikeC 10]

Manual

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Peugeot-Petrol-Owners-Workshop-Manual/dp/185010915X

I have three manuals and they all differ slightly, the later ones have more up to date drawings, but the oldest one has the correct ones for Phase 1

[Miles 331 1 Cars]

Is it a CAT or non CAT model?

Non CAT phase 2's only use a 2 piece system so that's the front and middle section in 1, back box is a olive fitment at the rear, Time wise even with rusted downpipe (D/P) bolts it's a hour

CAT models use a 3 piece system with the CAT being in the D/P, Q Fit never use top quality parts and have known loads of issues with there system's and other work that they quite often see fit to quote on, Mind it varies allot from one branch to another

What have they quoted

[Richard2005 2]

Perfect! Thanks Mike

 

Miles - Thanks for the info. It's a non cat. Should I still be worried they'd get the wrong parts?

[GilesW 41]

I would suggest that you don't need to replace the hoses unless they need replacing.

 

Old hoses 'sometimes' fail, but even if they do it won't instantly spell death for the engine as you'll see the water temp rise and low water level light up and probably smell it and see the steam, all giving plenty of time to stop and call the AA. lol

 

I'm saying this as I come from a resto perspective of restoring it, not changing it unless it's a needed, and if you do it should be complementary change.

Silicon for rubber on a period car is a modern upgrade if you ask me.

 

Saying all that of course - if the hoses are knackered then yes replace, but for a cared for road car I'd still suggest rubber is fine.

 

 

 

Oh - I've got some new heater hoses if needed. (ha ha ha - but honestly not my reason for suggesting it).

[mrfirepro 127 1 Cars]

Richard,

 

I'm in Kent and have an exhaust you can have if you want to pick it up. Will help you fit it as well if you like.

 

Regards

 

Paul

 

PS Mines a non cat P1.5 - the gurus here will let you know if it will fit or not

Edited April 29, 2014 by mrfirepro

[hoodygoodwood 70 3 Cars]

As long as the waterpump and cambelt was done properly it will not need doing again for years , 8K miles is nothing .Might be worth checking the belt is correctly tightened though .

If the area under the distributor is wet with oil the distributor might need a new 'O' ring , good value at under £2 .

The water hoses usually stand up ok but they can perish a bit at the ends or the Jubilee clips rust . Check the metal water pipe that runs along the bottom of the drivers side inner wing , they are notorious for rotting out .

Oil vapour hoses often perish causing air leaks and running problems , BBM are very popular , they do special prices at the shows so might be worth waiting till then

If you have anything but perfect clean antifreeze it might be worth flushing the system a few times with clean water and refilling . The heater matrix ( poor heater warmth ) and the radiator ( overheating ) can silt or scale up .

Oil and filter change should give you no problems , put a bottle of oil flush in and drive it for a day then buy a drain tray to empty it into .

Good luck with the 205 , you won't be short of things to do with it this summer .

[Miles 331 1 Cars]

As said I doubt very much is you told them about the split in the D/P they would wonder what your talking about or just fit one without you knowing, You just need to remember not a huge amount of fitters out there know anything about anything really other than swapping parts over

[Tom Fenton 1,525]

As long as the waterpump and cambelt was done properly it will not need doing again for years , 8K miles is nothing .Might be worth checking the belt is correctly tightened though

Sorry but this is not good advice. The belt is rubber and degrades with time as well as use which is why manufacturers almost without fail quote a life in years as well as miles run.

Typically it's 6 years. For example. My laser 1.6 had it's last belt change only 3000 miles previous but dated 1999, I changed it to be safe.

In addition, by the time you've had the covers off to check tension you are most of the way there and may as well change the belt whilst you are at it.

[hoodygoodwood 70 3 Cars]

Quite right , I managed to read the original post but the date of the cambelt change did not register .That's a 14 hour day at work for you !

[MikeC 10]

One thing i will say is when i changed my water hoses that go to the heater matrix, one of the matrix metal pipe just pulled away with the hose, which meant a new matrix.

[Richard2005 2]

Hi GilesW - I wasn't aware rubber hoses could still be bought. As this car will have fairly standard power (sure others have thought that before the bug bites...) rubber would be great. Do you know where they are still available? As I thought they weren't, I searched the forum and found recommendations for Baker.

 

Hi mrfirepro - Thanks for the offer, though I think my car is a phase 2 so not sure yours is the same?

 

Hi hoodygoodwood - Thanks for the great tips! I've seen the metal water pipe on the Baker site. Will defo check this out.

I've not even checked the antifreeze yet (6 week old baby = very little time to play...)

Nice, I've never heard of oil flush but will defo get some. Will also check the distributor as suggested.

Too right I won't be short of things to do

 

Morning Miles - I'll ask to see any parts before they touch the car. to see whether it's d/p or not.

 

Hi Tom Fenton - Thanks for confirming. I'd read similar to this previously. Do you guys just buy belts from a motor factor or a specialist on here?

 

Argh, MikeC! You're filling me with fear! Will (try to) remember to be gentle if I swap these hoses.

 

Thanks for all the replies, chaps. As a newbie to mechanicing, forums and 205's, I really appreciate it.

[GilesW 41]

I think some (if not all) rubber hoses are no longer available. But what I was getting at was I personally would only change them if they needed changing, and you're posts doesn't say they NEED changing, only that you are looking to change them.

 

I'm just not in the camp of changing stuff for the sake of it (same as I don't believe every time you have the head off a car you should skim it - yes check if it needs it, but not just do it for the sake of it - or else you'll soon run out of head!)

 

A search around people (like myself etc) will most likely yield rubber replacement hoses if you need them.

[welshpug 1,622]

Half the cooling hoses are still available and reasonably priced from peugeot.

[scbond 15 1 Cars]

I really don't get why people are spending so much on a silicone hose kit. I'm sure it's very decent but personally, they look terrible no matter what engine bay they're put in. And for what they are...it's £400 for some hoses. Not like there's no alternative either...as welshpug has pointed out, some of the cooling hoses are still available or there's loads of hydraulics shops throughout the UK who would cut hose to length and probably even shape them where needed.

[DamirGTI 325]

Agreed , those silicone hoses are way overpriced for what they are .. that money can be invested more wisely for say an set of new tyres , upgrading braking system etc. .

 

If some of the OE hoses are NPF/unavailable there's even option using other car makes/brands hoses ! .. i found some Fiat/MB/Vauxhall coolant hoses to be very similar to the ones on our 205's , nearly identical hose angles just a little bit longer (just needs trimming down and off you go ..)

 

D

[Miles 331 1 Cars]

The metal water pipes are still stock at Peugeot and last 20 odd years as well, even GSF sell them slightly cheaper

[Alan77 78 1 Cars]

Agreed , those silicone hoses are way overpriced for what they are .. that money can be invested more wisely for say an set of new tyres , upgrading braking system etc. .

 

If some of the OE hoses are NPF/unavailable there's even option using other car makes/brands hoses ! .. i found some Fiat/MB/Vauxhall coolant hoses to be very similar to the ones on our 205's , nearly identical hose angles just a little bit longer (just needs trimming down and off you go ..)

 

D

 

If total piece of mind and performance reliability mean an initial outlay of £400 for all of them, so what?...

They are basically fit and forget, and getting all your plumbing right on 205's is important.

Tyres are consumables anyway, and there's only £100 difference between 4 cheapy chongers or 4 premium...

You pay your money, you take your choice...

[Richard2005 2]

Seems I'm causing trouble already. Sorry chaps.

 

Speaking of tyres, have had some 195/50/R15s fitted. What tyre pressures to do guys use for road and track days? Once I know the car is reliable and healthy, I would like to track it.

 

Also, if some (similar) hoses are available for other brands, is it worth us trying to collate info of these plus what's available from Peugeot in one place? If people send me info I'll happily make a list and post.