NEW CAR WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR

[jack123sand]

hello people im new to 306 d-turbo's ive got a 3 door 98 's' and just wondering is there ANYTHING I should DO or CHECK, a friend says change the cambelt and the filters????

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anyone? im obviously changing oils and such.

[jack123sand]

there must be common problems with these old cars, no?.

[jack123sand]

or anything you would advise doing or changing thanks?

[Toms306]

Rear beam camber
Door loom faults (mirrors/windows/speakers/central locking not working or intermittent)
Rusty rear inner arch
Headgasket (check for orange bubbly coolant or a solid rad hose)

Lots of potential faults with any 15+ year old car, and chances are you wont spot them all on the viewing anyway.

[Niall]

Front suspension is getting tired on these now so when you drive it, have a listen for knocks and feel for it tram lining over the road. Even a complete suspension overhaul on the front isn't too expensive but its a bargaining point.
Check for rust on the chassis legs at the front where the subframe bolts to it. Most people jack them up here (wrong place) which splits the welds and they rot quite badly. Easy to fix but its a mot failure.
Up to 1999, they didn't have a NSR arch liner meaning the rear quarter can rust. If you can look up the arch, look for rust or alternatively, open the boot, pull the carpet back on the left hand side and look for rusty staining. This will likely indicate a big hole next to the seat belt which will need welding.
Whilst your in the boot, lift up the boot carpet and look for rear end damage.

Engine wise, they are pretty reliable. Just check service history to make sure its been looked after. Also, if you plan on going for power mods, look for one with a bosch fuel pump instead of lucas.

[jack123sand]

Rear beam camber
Door loom faults (mirrors/windows/speakers/central locking not working or intermittent)
Rusty rear inner arch
Headgasket (check for orange bubbly coolant or a solid rad hose)

Lots of potential faults with any 15+ year old car, and chances are you wont spot them all on the viewing anyway.

thanks again mate all seems fine but this mirror loom thing. yeah but I like these old cars and don't know enough about them yet but ive found this site so things will improve just don't wanna kill her if I could avoid it .

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Front suspension is getting tired on these now so when you drive it, have a listen for knocks and feel for it tram lining over the road. Even a complete suspension overhaul on the front isn't too expensive but its a bargaining point.
Check for rust on the chassis legs at the front where the subframe bolts to it. Most people jack them up here (wrong place) which splits the welds and they rot quite badly. Easy to fix but its a mot failure.
Up to 1999, they didn't have a NSR arch liner meaning the rear quarter can rust. If you can look up the arch, look for rust or alternatively, open the boot, pull the carpet back on the left hand side and look for rusty staining. This will likely indicate a big hole next to the seat belt which will need welding.
Whilst your in the boot, lift up the boot carpet and look for rear end damage.

Engine wise, they are pretty reliable. Just check service history to make sure its been looked after. Also, if you plan on going for power mods, look for one with a bosch fuel pump instead of lucas.

yeah got it now anyway, rust seems fine and arches/rearquarter are spot on and a friend who thinks he knows about them came along and tells me front end again seems lovely and straight thanks for advise man and would you recommend changing the cambelt last change was unknown?

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unfortunately lucas pump

[Niall]

If the last change was unknown, always change the belt. Im sure you know they are an interference engine so belt goes and good bye engine!

[jack123sand]

I need to do some reading on these xud's clearly ill get it ordered thanks again mate

[Herby7]

Welcome

[Rixgarage]

Welcome mate..