Leisure-Drive: Peugeot 505 GTI #2

Engine overheat is also a problem on this car, this time I opted for quiet Fiat Uno electrical cooling fan. Additionally as the car was equipped with engine driven cooling fan, I upgraded to a five bladed fan from four. Furthermore I instructed my friendly mechanic to reduce the diameter of water pump driven pulley. I was initially expecting that with the reduced size pulley the faster water pump rotation and thus its risen pressure would sufficient to take out the engine driven fan. I had thought I could save 1.5 horsepower without this power sapping fan, but it did not work. In early 1990s (and onward) we saw that many new cars were without this type of fan, and obviously you need a 3 ply of radiator cores to compensate for.

However, a pressurized cooling system had already been incorporated on this car that refilling coolant might require a system bleed. Coolant bleeding takes out those little bubbles out of the system. Otherwise it would degrade the coolant's ability as well as damaging its water pump impeller. Any prevailing bubbles would lower coolant's boiling point and impinge on impeller surface creating a sort of "Water hammering".

All in all it was happy motoring with this GTI for both city and out of town driving, a good fuel consumption of 7 km/l and 10 km/l respectively on 95 octane fuel. This is the only car I had lavishly upgraded inside out; four three way speakers, decent amplifier with 10 CD changers, mag wheels with 55 profile tyres.

Another weakness of this GTI was its complex vacuum and electronic sensors, its ECU was also sensitive for any current deficiency. When a malfunction occurred it showed an erratic idle or even worse sudden loss of electrical power where the engine completely shut down itself. But remarkably engine shut down only happened when the car was driven at walking pace speed, twice! Thank Goodness! My mechanic eventually sorted this out by strengthening its grounding and upgrading larger alternator.

As it went into my third year of ownership, it grew a constant monthly habit to visit the rare garage workshop. I could accept for normal tear and wear maintenance work on drive train, suspension and steering. But it was a sensitive engine complication, fuel delivery and accumulation of small glitch electrical problems. It was a pity for such good car requiring attention that intrude my work schedule. No wonder all French made cars were pulling out of American market, first being the Citroen, Renault then Peugeot in early 1990s.

In terms of maintenance and part replacements cost, it occupies a fifth place after Volvo, Mercedes, BMW and Honda. Both Honda and BMW are being the most expensive where Volvo is the least expensive. With the exception of Volvo and on similar generation, the other three are a lot more reliable with cutting of the edge technology. Volvo retained basic two valves per cylinder with turbocharger until 1997 (960T for Asian market, 940T on American).

Say, check the pricing of this part; 1985-1991 Peugeot 505 Delphi Fuel Pump . Most of branded electric fuel pump is reliable, but if your fuel tank has collected foreign sediments the pump will emit a high pitch noise. Clean the tank thoroughly, replace fuel filter and check pressure along all fuel line including its return line. Another culprit might be its pressure regulator, check this; fuel system parts for standard replacement or if you opt for adjustable one upgrade to; Mallory Universal Pressure Regulator For Port Fuel Injection Systems Adjustment Range 4 To 25 psi good investment for turbo application.

In fact, most of the latest cars these days are notorious for their sensitivity due to over computerized engine management control. Listen to the e-type Mercedes Benz taxi driver in Germany, they have to be out of work for the car spending time in the garage more than its predecessor W124 did. And wait, there is more...

The most reliable brand in the world Toyota which just recently surpassed both Ford and GM to be the biggest car manufacturer. Which unfortunately suffers losses to the tune of billions dollars, also have to conduct a massive numbers of car recall! This is a good article for my Automotive Technology Milestone #5. Or is it #4?