First Post, First Pug, Sad Story.

[Hawksley]

Hi,

I didn't think my first post was going to end up being a bit of a tragic story, but unfortunately that's the way things panned out.

At the beginning of August, I purchased my first Peugeot, a 1995 405 Mi16. 179k on the clock, only a few previous owners, garaged most of its life, and overall in excellent condition. Naturally, I fell in love with the car.

Over the following weeks I spent a bit of money getting the cam-belt done, a new front muffler installed, some minor oil leaks fixed, some of the electronics sorted, etc etc. Basically the first few steps towards bringing this beautiful car back to peak condition.

Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago. I take the 405 on a decent drive from Auckland up to Omaha and back, very wet weather most of the journey. Absolutely no problems, the car is performing as it always has, beautifully. The next day I'm filling up at the service station, when I remove the fuel cap, there is an unusually high amount of pressure being released from the tank. Strange. I continue filling the tank. After leaving the service station I'm on the road about five minutes and the car starting running very bumpy, jerking and surging. The car then back-fires and dies. I have a look at the engine and the smoke from the back-fire came from the intake hose connected to the air filter. I manage to get it started again and bumpily drive home. The next day I take it in to Bishops, have all the plugs and connections cleaned and drive it home that same day. No problems for the rest of the week, runs perfectly.

It's the end of the week and it's fill-up time again. I unscrew the fuel cap and there's an even bigger pressure release. I finish filling up, turn the key and the car stutters to life. Same problem, car is surging and I'm having a hard time keeping it running. Two minutes up the road after filling up and the engine dies. I'm now starting to think that the problem is the fuel pump, or a seal or something. After trying to start it a couple more times I give up and call a friend who lives round the corner. Friend turns up with his Land Cruiser and a tow-rope. As this is all happening at 20:30, the plan is to tow it to my place, then devise a way of getting it to the mechanic the next day.

We hook up to the tow-loop, and off we go. All is well, we're almost home. We reach the notorious Forest Hill road/West Coast road intersection stop sign. Now, I don't know if my friend forgot he was towing me, or he just thought it was a good idea to launch up the hill in low ratio, but either way, the 405 and I stayed exactly where we were, and he took off up the road with only my tow-loop attached.

As a result, the crossmember was ripped out, bending the whole front bumper up. The fiberglass radiator mount was also torn loose, breaking all of the clips and brackets with it. I think the radiator may also be punctured. It goes without saying that there are a few other things that were damaged in the process, but these are the biggies.

I'm absolutely gutted. I'm currently in the process of deciding whether to have it repaired, or just throw in the towel, as it's going to cost me thousands that I really can't spend at the moment. I'd really hate to have to go with the latter option, as it's my dream car and I'm just not ready to see it go. I guess the third option is to chip away at it over time, and hopefully get it back on the road one day in the future.

Any advice and opinions would be greatly appreciated. I'm just worried that if I do spend all this money on fixing the front of the car, the fuel issue is going to end up being a huge and expensive mission to fix as well.

Oh automobiles can be fun sometimes...

I'll try and get some more detailed pictures of the damage for those who are interested:

- http://i.imgur.com/SiiGz5L.jpg
- http://i.imgur.com/6eJ9Yjb.jpg
- http://i.imgur.com/P4SEPUR.jpg

- http://i.imgur.com/9JEbups.jpg
- http://i.imgur.com/1FH5nNL.jpg
- http://i.imgur.com/kwNCFiW.jpg

(^ Sorry if this isn't the best way to link images)

Cheers, Hawksley.

[Mungous]

Ohh man that's gutting!  The car looks like a really good one, so you will always regret getting rid of it.

We have all been in similar positions before - asking ourselves the question "is it really all worth it?!"  Short answer is yes, yes it is.

A few sleeps and you will feel better about it, and from the looks there is nothing so badly wrong with your car that can't be fixed with cheap second hand parts (probably sourced from the GCs on here) and a spot of welding by someone who knows one end of a MIG from the other!

Do not despair!!   

PS Welcome to the forum!

[Don Simon]

Bad luck man. Did I talk to you at bishops the other day?

I may know where there are some spares available

[CaM]

Bloody hell what a beginning!
I htink the start of your problem may be a blocked fuel tank vent - causing the whole fuel system to go under a hefty vaccum, causing the chuff when removing fuel cap, and also the stalling issue.


Look like that damage is fairly serious, however, fixable!
Tuck her away and keep an eye out for someone stripping a shell or similar and get the front out of it.
Get it in the shed up high one axle stands and strip the front end down. You may find it's not so frightening once you've got it down to bare bones!

She'll live to see another day I'm sure! don't give up now! that's an otherwise SUPER tidy Mi16.

[cams16v]

Ive got heaps of spare, spares parts, make a list of what you need and I will help you out 
By the way awesome car
Cam 021 950 688

[CaM]

^ we should just chop the front off the grey one and send it up 
i need to come see your pad anyways ha

[cams16v]

Yeah I was just looking at it tonight just a grind back past the spot welds 
Any time CaM

[Hawksley]

Yep, Simon, that was me at Bishops the other day. Looks like I'm after more than just floor mats now...

Thanks everyone for the kind, reassuring messages and offering of help, I'm overwhelmed. You've definitely reinforced my decision to get it back on the road.

cams16v, that would be amazing! Thanks for the details. I'll make a start stripping the front down tomorrow, and start compiling a list of exactly what parts I'll be needing. Thankfully I've got the girlfriend's 306 to drive in the meantime, so I'm not completely pug-less! As it's a busy time of year for most, sorting out parts can definitely wait until the new year.

Thanks again and I'm really looking forward to getting behind the wheel again. I've never been in something so comfortable going round a corner!

[BigPete]

Buy this for bits?
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/wrecked-cars/auction-826244062.htm

[puggy21]

oh man what a pain, hope everything works out