Guest Mr Man Posted April 6, 2006 I am contemplating taking my standard 1.9 on some track days in france over 4 days this summer. The first day is at Nantes (about 2 1/2 hrs drive from the harbour), on a Thursday, the second is on the Saturday at Le Mans (the Bugatti circuit) (about 2hrs from the first track and another two hours back to the harbour). Both circuits are fast. My pug is a standard 1989 1.9 8v. It has done 72,000 miles. It leaves a little puddle of oil everywhere it parks (and all over ht engine bay). It has a misfire at about 5 - 5500 rpm. The exhaust squeaks everytime the car "kangeroos". The steering wheel creaks. A sort grinding noise can be heard from the crank box. The breather hoses and coolant hoses have never been changed. It blows smoke when its started cold and occasionally smells of fuel. Am I being optimistic? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smckeown 1 Posted April 6, 2006 Am I being optimistic? More like stupid. You'll get hanged for taking a car on the track with a known oil leak, you could kill people! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jonmurgie 2 Posted April 6, 2006 Agreed with Sean on the oil leak... but other than that the car sounds like it's fooked and I'd NEVER take a car with known faults on the track as your driving it nearer the limits than you would elsewhere so the chances of something going wrong are higher... fix what you know needs fixing before you even look at a trackday Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Mr Man Posted April 6, 2006 (edited) More like stupid. You'll get hanged for taking a car on the track with a known oil leak, you could kill people! The oil leak isn't serious enough to drop on the track and affect anyone. It only leaves enough to see when its been left parked for a day and a night. The organisers know its a £500 car and they say bring what you want. My concern is that I won't be able to get home again. fix what you know needs fixing before you even look at a trackday yeah.. I was thinking make sure its breathing properly (by changing or cleaning out the pipework), make sure timing belt and tensioner are ok and try to fix the misfire. Other than that, just deal with it and see what happens. Would I be right in thinking that it is highly probable that this car will have to be left behind in France? Edited April 6, 2006 by Mr Man Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
d-9 0 Posted April 6, 2006 I'd go for it, just get some eurpean brakedown cover and you'll be fine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hengti 2 Posted April 6, 2006 It'd make sense to save yourself alot of potential agro (as in a completely wasted trip!) by fixing what you know about and giving it a very thorough service - esp. incl. brake fluid change and suspension check!! oil leak - find out where it's leaking from as if it could potentially develop into a much bigger leak on track! the dizzy 'o' ring is a favourite point for leaks exhaust squeak - are you running std manifold? probably needs a new joint kit s'wheel creak - this could just be the wheel rubbing against the column shroud what's a 'crank box'?! definitely investigate any internal noises! just check that the hoses aren't cracked or swollen don't worry about a little smoke definitely investigate the fuel smell - potentially lethal providing you prep the car properly, there's no real reason to assume it won't make it if you take it as it is, I think you're asking for trouble though Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
damien 22 1 Cars Posted April 7, 2006 I am contemplating taking my standard 1.9 on some track days in france over 4 days this summer. The first day is at Nantes (about 2 1/2 hrs drive from the harbour), on a Thursday, the second is on the Saturday at Le Mans (the Bugatti circuit) (about 2hrs from the first track and another two hours back to the harbour). Both circuits are fast. very off topic but do you have any details on the track days? webbie addresses, price, organiser details that type of thing. thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
petert 588 Posted April 7, 2006 I am contemplating taking my standard 1.9 on some track days in france over 4 days this summer. ...... It leaves a little puddle of oil everywhere it parks ........Am I being optimistic? no, just irresponsible Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Mr Man Posted April 7, 2006 no, just irresponsible errr.. I didn't really expect a lecture on my morals or stupidity. Let me worry about that thanks. I really just wanted opinions (given that this is a 205 forum) on whether a 205 of the sort described is likely to hold up on the sort of trip described. Hengti: thanks for the suggestions. by "Crank box" I meant crankcase or whatever the crankshaft housing should be called (the noise comes from the sump basically). Damien: Website for the organiser is: http://deltaracing.dyndns.info/ it is a company based in Jersey, the contact details are on the site Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jonah 1 Posted April 7, 2006 Take some hose repair bandage! (and a sharp knife) Coolant hoses are IMO the most likely thing to fail and leave you stranded. In 6 years of owning my GTI it's broken down on me 3 times while driving... ALL of those were burst / split coolant hoses! The other thing that can stop you in your tracks ('scuse the pun) is driveshafts... worth taking a spare pair if you can get some, and enough tools to fit them. Try posting a separate thread about the noise from the sump with more details, you might get some more suggestions to what it could be. And definitely fix the fuel leak and misfire - you'll enjoy it more if the car's working properly and you have confidence in it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob_the_Sparky 9 Posted April 7, 2006 I think I'd plan for it not making it back. It is a £500 car and you won't know until you push it what is weak. Taking it round a track is a good way of finding the weaknesses though! Having said that though it does depend on how hard you drive it on the way to and at the track. The harder it is driven the more likely you are to break it... Good luck Rob Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DaveW 6 Posted April 7, 2006 come on guys what 205 does'nt leak oil.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
