Posted May 2010

505td compression test

Howdy Peugeot group
#1 – 220, #2 -  320, #3 – 375, #4 – 100
quick engine history
Bought the car five years ago for $200 because the used car dealer mechanic said it had a blown head gasket because the coolant was being pressurized, the engine was difficult to start and when it did a huge cloud of white smoke bellowed from the exhaust.
I torqued the head bolts, adjusted the valves, resolving the coolant pressurization issue, but the smoke was still bad; white on start until warm-up, then low power and excessive black smoke  on acceleration. One last issue major issue was the air intake at the turbo was off, sucking dirt into the engine for an undetermined period.

Because my wife refused to drive the smoker I decided it was time to troubleshoot this engine, because frankly this is a mint- condition 505td. I finally bought a inexpensive Harbor Freight diesel compression tester at the behest Peugeot-L member of Chris Suessle   through  Facebook


I once as a VW  dealer mechanic so I have a few skills, albeit rusty, Anyway Chris knows diesels, VW TDI , Peugeot, BMW, to name a few of his projects. He suggested as did many people here that perhaps the timing chain was worn, but I needed to get the compression checked.

My memory although vague tells me that engines which exhibit low compression on the outside cylinders like I posted is most likely but not limited to  a leaking head gasket.
I was thinking I would run into town and buy a can of Sea Foam http://seafoamsales.com
and pour it in the cylinders while the glow plugs are removed and let it soak over night and retest, however it may be wishful thinking with my diagnosis of a leaky head gasket
What do you all think?
I need to take a break because leaning over the engine is aggravating my sciatica, I look forward to your comments
 
–
Brian Rodgers
"I don't feel like an old man. I feel like a young man who has something wrong with him." Dick Cavett
All Internet traffic relayed through DIY solar powered WiFi tower. See this and other projects at my Sustainable Lifestyle site  www.outfitnm.com/  No Ads not selling anything

————  

Posted April 2010

Hi group
Haven't posted in a while sorry
I am readying our 505 diesel for its seasonal use and my wife cringed at the thought of using it because of smoke. The bottom line is if I expect her to use this car this biodiesel season I need to try and resolve the smoke issues. When starting the engine it throws out unholy quantities of white smoke. I always assumed this had to do with the leaking head gasket, which appeared better after a head torque, well at least it was pressurizing the coolant lines any more, h yeah for those who don't remember me, we bought this 505 six years ago for $200 from a used car lot in Las Vegas NM. We've run biodiesel in it every Summer since, well with a few exceptions, it always smoked, white on cold start black on hills, low power always, feels to me like the engine isn't revving freely either.
What I mean it when in neutral if I step on the throttle is slowly increases revolutions. I have it in my shop now and will start testing things to troubleshoot this issue which mark the end of our cute little Peugeot if I can't figure it out.

I will finally break down and buy a diesel compression gauge, I own the factory service manual for the engine, anything else I might need to trouble shoot this?
I sure hope together we can breathe some economical life back into this beautiful car, because we can not afford to replace it, besides that we have pretty good amount of money invested in it now, with new shocks and tires, and the body is flawless considering this car's age.