1.4TDCi OMGDMF? - New car req'd!! Be suggestive!!

[MrDuke]

So, the horrid Fez is being even more horrid than usual at the moment, and I'm wondering if all the (apparently unconnected) symptoms are pointing towards something terminal? I would actually be overjoyed if they are, as its death is long, long overdue.
 
It started making a loud tapping noise on some cold starts a few months ago (which didn't always go away once it warmed up), then a few weeks back it added to it with a truly noxious smell from the exhaust (which only lasts a few seconds). It's also started going into limp mode with an EAC FAIL message, on average every 100 miles or so, sometimes more often than that - I can clear it by switching the engine off and on again, but it's getting annoying. Now the starter motor seems to be packing up - it clicks loudly, but won't turn - rocking it in gear doesn't help, but sometimes after about a dozen attempts it just fires up again normally.
 
I have looked into the EAC message, and apparently it can refer to anything from a loose connection to injector failure - plugging it into a garage might narrow it down some more, but that'll have to wait until I have sufficient money to throw away. Normally I'd be thinking of DMF failure (it's on about 120k), but there doesn't seem to be any excessive vibration or juddering. Despite my hatred of it, I have been diligent with oil and filter changes since we had it about 30k ago, and it doesn't get mercilessly ragged.
 
Anyway, any and all suggestions/advice/jokes/abuse are welcome and gratefully received, and in the meantime here's some pictures of some nicer Fezs:
 

 

 

 

[sierraman]

Don't know if the two are linked. A sticking starter is a sign of an impending DMF fail as it fills up with filings from the above.

 

The cutting out and the acrid smell might point to a fuelling problem possibly failing injectors. Which would be terminal. Does it smoke?

[MrDuke]

Ah, cheers for the info - I'd heard the starter was linked to DMF but couldn't work out why, it makes sense now.

 

It doesn't actually cut out, just goes into limp mode fairly regularly. Not sure about smoke, I'll try and remember to get the OH to start it tomorrow morning while I check the back. It doesn't billow out behind me in great clouds as I go along, if that's what you mean?

[sierraman]

No but they usually give white smoke if it's unburnt diesel which would suggest a leaking injector.

 

Does it only LOS when you give it some throttle that's to say the turbo is kicking in?

 

Occasional cutting out can be the camshaft sensor on these, it feeds into the timing of the injectors.

 

If it's injector related id start with the cheapest but a good diesel specialist will point you in the right direction. This can be expensive however, a cam sensor is about £15 so if the symptoms point to this you've not a lot to lose.

 

The DMF will be making a racket with either the clutch in or out, check for this, they can go for some time with a failing DMF, of course though it might be as innocuous as the starter motor itself has worn out, one bowing out at 120k isn't unusual.

[Cavcraft]

Blocked or collapsed cat? (For the smell)

 

+1 about the filings working into the starter.

[MrDuke]

So tonight it went into limp mode 3 times in the space of around 30 miles, the starter motor's played dead twice in the last 3 days, and today there was a definite plume of white smoke in the rear-view when I fired it up. The last MOT gave advisories for body corrosion and low tyre tread. Considering that the car didn't cost me anything, I reckon the most sensible course would be to get rid? At the lowest estimate, considering that I'll need garage diagnostics, a replacement starter and 2 tyres, that's around £150+ that I could put towards another car.

 

With that in mind, I'm open to suggestions for replacements   

 

It needs to be:

• Auto
• 90s
• 'small' - this is an elastic term which depends upon Mrs_Duke's mood on any particular day. For instance, a Xantia estate is "really nice to drive" whereas a 405 saloon is "enormous!". A hatchback might be a safe bet, but who knows?
• Either petrol or XUD
• Ridiculously cheap

Don't all rush in at once.

[MarinaJosh]

Did any small XUD cars get an auto gearbox? Don't think I have ever seen a 205 or 309 diesel auto...

 

309 and 205 autos usually came with a 1.6 petrol XU engine but it's quite a thirsty combo.

 

I think some ZX diesels came with an auto box but they're not common. Not sure about 306s. Certainly the bigger cars were offered with an auto option. Rover 200/400 diesels were usually XUD, again not sure whether they came with an auto box or not.

 

I have seen quite a few Renault 5 autos for sale, usually quite cheap as well. My ex had a 1.4 petrol and it was a lovely car to drive. In hindsight the car was the best thing about her... If that's too small then there are the bigger Renaults. 9, 11 etc

[MrDuke]

Good point. The auto requirement is paramount, so maybe I should concentrate on small petrols - also, an XUD would have to be Bosched for veg-friendliness so that's an even narrower field to search 

Thirstiness isn't such an issue (within reason) as it won't be used for commuting or load-lugging. Although, I expect any deficit in mpg to be offset by a decent amount of oomph.

[Lacquer Peel]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Citroen-ZX-Automatic-XUD-engine-Bosch-fuel-pump-Custom-paint-12-Mnths-MOT-/291977756693

 

It has been ruined by a fud but it ticks some boxes.

 

GET IN GRAVE

[MarinaJosh]

A mate of mine had a 1.6 auto 205 and it was lovely to drive apparently. He lives in a city and didn't have any complaints about it coping with traffic etc. The autos don't seem to be as desirable either, this one went cheaply http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1992-Peugeot-205-1-6-Auto-MoT-Sept-2017-58k-miles-/192041217968?hash=item2cb68c6fb0%3Ag%3AohsAAOSwiONYPy9O&nma=true&si=j0WrWgWQFp5kRMPid%252FckRJfOOGA%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

 

Edit: That ZX. Small, auto, XUD and Bosch pump! The paint will probably put others off and it wouldn't be too hard to change if you wanted too...

[Lacquer Peel]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-Volkswagen-Golf-1-9TDI-90bhp-auto-2002MY-SE-in-REd-/172428728695

 

✔Veg friendly automatic

✘Boring VAG SHITE, expensive

[vaughant]

Citroen do a xsara in auto form and I think xud, quite often found in estate FLAVA.

 

Auto petrol Peugeots seem to be in the car auctions every week.

 

Personally I'd fix up the fiesta but if there's no love then there's no love.

[sierraman]

Wouldn't go older. Nearly all XUD stuff you'll pick up will be goosed.

[MrDuke]

Xsara or ZX could well be winners. I reckon ZXs are undesirable enough that I could find a smart one with patience, and I'd be happy with a 1.6 (or even 1.4) petrol version of either.

 

Problem with fixing the Fez is that I could start spending out trying to fix it, then find it's actually something massive. I'd probably offer it for scrap money in case someone else felt lucky, but won't hold my breath.

[hairnet]

put budget into ebay with 75 miles and auto as filters and buy the longest mot shortest go get.............

 

did that looking for panda and it worked out

[Lacquer Peel]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nissan-Almera-1-6-16v-auto-1999MY-GX-/142211890717

 

Dowdy and not exactly local to you but these things go on forever. The engine pre-dates Nissan's use of bicycle chains for timing. Unbreakable. No stats for the auto version but I reckon high-30s MPG on average would be achievable.