I've just discovered that the clutch on my 1994 306 1.9TD seems to be slipping every time I accellerate uphill, particularly in 3rd gear or higher, which tells me that the clutch is on its way out. I'm aware that the cost for a new clutch is around £250 supply and fit and I'm wondering if it's worth bothering with because:-
a) The car has 172,000 miles on it (had 2nd hand engine fitted 20,000 miles ago- that has around 130k on it and is 100%.
b) The steering rack is leaking and the fluid needs topping up every 500 miles.
c) The radiator looks as if it would need replacing within a year as it seems to be corroding near the bottom but isn't losing coolant yet.
d) It will need 2 new tyres for its next MOT (April 06)
Otherwise the car is fine, bodywork is immaculate, interior is in good condition and everything else seems to work. Common sense tells me that I should consider selling it as it is as the value of repairs is likely to exceed the value of the car. What sort of price am I likely to get for it at present, with 6 months tax and MOT?
Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks
Martin
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Value is between £500 - £900. Repair costs at a garage will probably match the re-sale value.
Dont know how much the rack is but the pas pumps are about £120 + labour. Rack is probably more. New exchange rad is about £100 + labour. Budget tyres about £80 the pair.
I also have one of these but less wrong with it, and have always gone down the repair route, mostly because work is done by myself (saving on labour costs), and has proved fairly reliable for past 10 years.
You could drive it to the ground, hopefully it will last till April 06 (topping up fluids and using radweld?). At the same time you could put it up for sale, and if the right buyer comes along, cash it in.
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The first question you should ask yourself is what you can afford to spend. What would you be able to buy to replace it?
It certainly sounds like the clutch is on its last legs. The clutch probably only bites when the pedal is fairly high up and anyone savvy with buying cars will know this. The cost of £250 to supply and fit a clutch is fairly low, by today's standards £7-800 is common.
The leak in the steering rack is serious and should be remedied straight away. Exactly what this will cost I have no idea but am independant pug garage should probably be the most cost effective, especially using s/h parts.
The radiator is still working, but does not need replacing yet. Being aware of this means you can take time to obtain the relevant parts and fit at your leisure.
Tyres are a normal wearing item.
Overall you say the car is in good condition, bar the high mileage, and being a deisel should run for another 50,000 miles plus. You already know what is wrong with this car, but changing could mean you are buying someone elses troubles.
You are only looking to repair costs now to keep it on the road rather than depreciation. My feeling would be to fix the first two items and fit new tyres and then run the car into the ground. If a large fault developes then consider selling the car on ebay for spares/repair, but with no reserve.
If you decide to sell now then I would use ebay again with no reserve, but stating it has 6 months tax and MOT. If you use the advance search facility you will be able to check what other 306's have been sold recently and read their descriptions to help you word your own listing.
--
Roger
I read frequently, but only post when I have something useful to say.
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The power steering ram will be leaking which can be bought for around £30 secondhand and takes about half an hour to fit.
Might be best to pull the engine out and do the clutch and radiator and change any worn cv boots, gear linkage bits etc. at same time.
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Martin,
I never use garages, but if it was my car I would just do the work myself...however, the comment below is correct...what can you afford to do.....
have you thought about doing the work? the radiator is easy, the power steering cylinder is easy, tyres...the only rear issue is the clutch......
where in the world are you? I might make you an offer on her if you do sell her..
regards
H
(ps: I have a 306DT 1994 'm' reg, 165K going strong....)
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I would go along with the trend of these replies,I do not agree with the idea of deciding whether to repair against the value of the car,should be the condition of the car and the value of knowing what you have got.I paid £30 for my current car,have run it for nearly five years,Ilike it so I keep it in good order.
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Thanks for all the useful advice guys. A mate's mechanic is doing the clutch and the pas rack next week for £300 plus the cost of the steering rack from a local breakers which I'm getting today. As for the radiator, it's a case of wait until it starts leaking then I'll probably do that myself.
HM- I live in Plymouth and it looks like I'll be keeping the car for the foreseeable future now, but if and when I do sell it I'll let you know!!
Regards
Martin
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Take your time to shop around for the radiator. My local specialist supplied a Valeo for £60 plus vat at trade for my 309. Suspect 306 similar, and fitting is extremely simple
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power steering needs topped up every 500 miles.
did you ever consider the danger to bikers etc,I know that its not much spread over 500 miles but e few leaking cars at the traffic lights for example would soon add up to oily slippery patch not to mention the cost of top ups all the time or enviornmental damage
just a gentle reminder that its cheaper to fix a leak sooner rather than later
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The 306 rad is a pig of a job, because you need hands like ET to remove the lower twistlock hose clip. It will surely crack on opening, requiring a new hose and clip. Be careful or be prepared.
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The car had a new radiator fitted just over 2 years ago, but I've heard from various 306 TD owners that they only last for around 3 years on average, even if you use the correct water/antifreeze mixture and change coolant every 2 years as I've done. Mine isn't leaking yet but looking at it I don't think It'll be long before it starts leaking. I understand what you mean about the bottom hose bayonet conection. If it was a simple jubilee clip connection it would be a piece of cake, but I'm not going to be put off from having a go, with the Haynes Manual to hand. Thanks for the advice.
Regards
Martin
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My last rad change was 7 years ago (exchange unit from rad refurb shop).
Having said that I've been through 2 heater matrixes (whole dash out job, within 18 months of one another)! Make sure its coolant flushed thoroughly (drain and refil is not good enough), and use citroen/peugeot antifreeze.
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Thanks again Solara, I think the heater matrix is about the only thing in this car I haven't replaced yet and I hope I don't have to!
Martin
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