604 just paid for itself

[dieselnutjob]

My everyday Peugeot 607 broke down yesterday, and you know what; I'm happy about it.

The 607 hasn't actually stopped, I just started it up on Sat morning to be greeted by a horrible rattle from the engine.

My first thought was a timing belt issue, but I noticed that it only makes the noise if the A/C is on, if the steering is turned (PAS pump under load), or if I switch something on like heated rear window. The only thing in common with all that stuff is the crank pulley which are famous for failing on Pug/Cit HDIs.

Sometimes when these pulleys break up bits get inside the timing belt so it's officially off the road until I get a new pulley on it.

My wife works a bit now so her battered 806 is no use to me.

So now I have to go to work in the 604 for a few days.

I'm happy because it just (partially) justified the tax/insurance that I spend on it.

I always thought that driving two older cars is cheaper, especially if one can get cheap classic insurance is cheaper, than one new reliable car, though I suppose you might have to be handy with a spanner for it to actually cost less.

[Tayne]

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[dieselnutjob]

my left knee has a deformity which is never going to be 100% but I'm okay to drive a manual car occasionally

the 604 does have a heavy clutch though and it's made worse because the master cylinder is stuffed, so if you have the car in gear with your foot on the clutch the pressure in the system leaks back past the master cyl and the car will start to drive itself away even though the pedal is pressed.