Service the 205gr

I have just changed the spark plugs and air filter on my 205, had an oil
filter and oil change recently, the front two halfshafts (I think that's
what their called) have been replaced, spent over £200 on a part that
converts the exhaust fumes from the petrol. Had the back and front brake
disks, as well as the rear brake drums replaced, got a new window washer
motor put on, got some module thing replaced at £50. I've been told I
probably need a reostart for my heater fan to work, I think the spark plugs
are ok, but I don't know how to test them. The car is running a bit better,
but isn't quit right, it jerks when I am in first gear and driving off
slowly. I read that the fuel filter might be needing cleaned. I can not
afford to spend any more money on the 205 at this time as I am a pensioner.
Would someone please tell me how and what I need to do to give the 205 a
service and how easy it is to change the fuel filter. I like the car and its
economical to drive but I have spent more on the car than what it cost me to
buy.

 

I spent my entire 5 years with my 205 jerking if I pulled off slowly, due to
it being cold and using the choke. I changed a lot of things, I tuned it,
took it to be tuned, stripped the carb and cleaned that all to no avail. My
suggestion to you if you cant afford to do anything with it at the moment (I
know how you feel) is to accelerate hard instead of slowly! Thats how I
ended up having the car for so long and not going mad. It got to me in the
end tho, shortly before someone wrote it off.

J

 

If's it's a petrol one, and you've been driving it around at low revs for
a while, could be it's a bit coked up. If you can, stick in a tankful of
Optimax and go for a drive at higher revs for a while. Some call it the
"Italian Tuneup" and it does work wonders on some engines - blows out the
cobwebs so to speak.

 

Sorry, my post was supposed to read "The ignition leads may need testing,
not the spark plugs. I replaced the front brake pads and rear brake shoes".
Also the part of the exhaust I was talking about is called the converter. (I
think)

 

Stuart, I put the new shell petrol in all the time, as it is supposed to
help clean the crab, engine etc. I forgot to mention that when I changed the
spark plugs, the first plug from your left, when facing the car, could not
have been firing-right as it was all sooty and black, in fact it looked as
if only two spark plugs have been firing right according to the colour of
them. Anyway, what about the fuel filter, is it easy to take out and clean.
I also want to check and change the thermostat as the engine takes forever
to heat up, is this easy.
---------

 

Thanks coyoteboyuk, I only bought the 205 for economical reasons. Its the
first small car I've had since my old four-door coffee/beige coloured, ford
popular. I don't suppose you will have heard of that one, have you?

 

Well, if you haven't changed the HT leads and the car starts fine, they are
probably OK. You would get a misfire across the rev range if the leads were
on their way out. The expensive bit of the exhaust system you replaced for
£200 is called the catalytic converter. My Volvo one costs £400 from Volvo,
but only £80 from http://www.eurocarparts.com/ It's where you buy from that
is the key.If you have replaced the spark plugs, make sure the gap is right.
If it jerks in first but is ok at higher speeds with a greater throttle
opening it's not likely to be the fuel filter being clogged. I would still
recommend a good blast somewhere at high revs to knock the carbon deposits
off the combustion chambers. Then see how it is.

 

I have no idea about how to change the thermostat on a Pug, never having had
one yet. I'm getting a diesel one tomorrow which will be the first one I've
ever owned, so I can't answer that question. However, I do know petrol
engines, regardless of make. If you have two sparkplugs showing black and
two showing OK, I would be inclined to think you have the HT Leads on wrong,
especially if it misfires, but starts, and the power is lower than your'e
used too. Otherwise, if your HT leads are on OK, they are at fault. Try a
new set of HT leads. You may find that original peugeot leads are cheaper
than aftermarket ones - and more realiable.

 

It is a great car - no real complaints at all, though it did eat driveshafts
as you have experienced. I'd still have mine if it hadnt been bent. Can say
it is a tough little car too, saved me in a few scrapes and pulled through
after:
Rear ended by a 4x4 tractor (drove up the tailgate)
Dropped into a field from 10ft up (dont ask)
Its demise caused by a fool turning without right of way. - some chassis
damage, immediate writeoff. Think it'd be a writeoff even for the paint job
needed tho!

Ford popular - nope, beyond my days, though i bet I'd recognise it if i saw
it.

James