Hello - our two Peugeots

[Douvrin]

Hi there,

I'm Jon and I'm based in the Waikato and it seems that when it comes to old French cars, I can't help myself! Now got 2 Peugeots, the last one bought as a bit of a 'pool car' in case one of our others breaks. Plus, it'll come in handy for visiting friends and family to use - I'm a Pom (apologies) and been over here a year.

Anyway, here's the latest one - hope it fits the bill:



I know it doesn't look much but technically it's a GTI (!) so should count. A lot of it doesn't work (electric sunroof, central locking etc.) but then it's French, so to be expected. Problem is, it has a major oil leak coming from a seal between the distibutor and oil pump, so if anyone's got any contact details for any helpful specialists, that'd be sweet.


Anyway, just in case this one doesn't cut it, here's what we took to go pick it up:



It's my wife's car really (which is why it still has that horrible seat cover in) but I chose it for her, as she couldn't make her mind up what to get. Dunno if this has any history here but it's an ex-Japan 1.9 GTI, bought from a guy over in Hastings. He'd bought it from a bloke in New Plymouth who'd had it a few years. It's not perfect (especially the paintwork) but it does the job and I love driving it. Not sure if it's had a crash in the past, as it has Euro-spec front wings (one with a Martini badge on - any ideas about that?) and was re-rego'd some time in 2000. Also, if anyone's got a set of rear calipers that don't have snapped bleed nipples, I'd be interested in them (as would most I guess). We'd thought about getting my wife one a few years back in the UK but instead she played it safe and took on my Saab 9000 and I bought this:



Anyway, hope this means I qualify!

[cammmy]

Welcome along. Is the 505 a manual? Always had a hankering for a manual 505 GTi

[Douvrin]

Hi Cammmy, yeah it's a manual - all our cars are. Think it's a British thing, I don't really like autos, mostly because it feels unnatural to just let a car sort itself out when coming to a stop. Only driven a few, I'm sure I'd get used to it eventually.

[cammmy]

*swoon* SO few manual 505 GTi's over here. I definitely hate auto's (Ask Cam about that )

[CaM]

my brother's over in pomgolia at the moment and is enchanted by the lack of autos over there. not my pick of transmission most of the time but they have their place.

welcome along. love your fleet! I've always thought a 505 would make a great open road car. hell, they probably make a good car for any use!

as for that seal: is it just an o ring or the miniature seal inside the dizzy?

[Biff Tannen]

wow i call your car collection the magic three i have an ax gt want a 505 gti and need a 205 .......
you more than qualify

[Douvrin]

CaM, I know that pictures can speak a thousand words, so here's the affected area and the o-ring in question and where it sits:



Overview of where the seal, er, seals - oil pump to distributor.



Close up ^^



The offending o-ring. Measurements are 40mm diameter, 29mm hole (technical term)



Where the o-ring sits. It had worn and was spinning round and wearing itself down against metal. Nice. The mechanic I left it with (servicing is about my limit - I don't trust myself with anything more than replacing thermostats etc. when it comes to engines) reckons he could get one but it would have to come from France at around $75, probably prior to shipping. I'll try a few UK contacts but I'm more than happy to keep my dollars in NZ if I can. The thing about these Douvrin engines (hence the user name) is that they went in all 3 major French models - Peugeot, Citroen and Renault (!), which might help.

Biff, I'll try and search your posts and find an image of your GT. I really loved mine, I reckon they're probably more suited to NZ roads and speed limits compared to the 205, as they do actually feel quick at lower speeds. That said, I loved the surge of acceleration just above 70mph - it surprised so many modern car drivers. Tried squeezing into a similar gap in traffic on the motorway at 70mph in the Sierra that replaced it and had an Epic Fail moment - totally owned by a Skoda, which was pretty embarrasing!

[fast405sti]

Yay, another 505gti to join mine! I have the same oil leak tho, was going to deal to it when i do the cambelt. Let me know how you get on 

[CaM]

since you've got the sizing, have you tried the likes of seal imports, or pacific seals? may be a bit of an odd size for them though.

also if you can work the part number out for it, try speed.co.nz

[Don Simon]

Welcome !

You could try looking on the acl gaskets site too.

[Alfashark]

Hi Jon, I'll send you a PM on here when I get home from work...
I know someone with a squillion new old stock 505 parts who will definitely have the seal in question.

[sexyBerlingo]

that seal looks to be the same spec(but different size by a couple mm) as lawnmower crank seals and i buy them for $7.50. So tell guy to fuck off with his million dollar seals

edit: and if you get the number off the seal(or a part number off the million dollar seal guy) and google it theres usualy like 10 companies that make a seal of each size. Except iduno about those french

[Douvrin]

Think I've managed to sort out the oil seal(s) problem, so will update when they arrive and let people know if I have any success or not. Thanks for all the advice so far chaps, it's much appreciated.

Alfashark in particular, your PM was really helpful, so cheers for that. I've had a look at the 'Showing off your ride' thread and I reckon we live pretty near to each other, as I've seen your Skoda around a few times, even parked down my street once or twice.

[CaM]

putaruru man? I'll be upt here on friday for an hour or two.

[cammmy]

Just to note. If you ever feel like selling that 505 for like, really cheap. Let me know

Manwell 505GTi = swoon town for cammy