Back on the road in the 205 1.9 GTI
Discussion
Seems the forum spat the dummy the first time I tried to post this, so I'll give it another go....
It's been a long journey, but finally I've got the green meanie back on the road and I'm thoroughly enjoying it.
It all started (or ended, depending on your point of view) about two years ago when overnight the car developed a 12mpg thirst. A couple of weeks later and the alarm started going off all night and I needed to do something, so I disconnected the battery and went out and bought this:
Which was great fun but attracted the most negative comments I've ever experienced. Suddenly this thing arrived at a price too good to refuse, so I replaced the Ignis:
The ST was a great car to own - fast, reliable, comfortable, well specced and with a good stereo. But not frugal at 28mpg.
Meanwhile the 205 and myself went through a rocky patch, replacing all sorts of bits to try to sort out the Oliver Reed style thirst, and also to fix the other bits needed to get it through an MOT. Bad times:
Eventually I reached the point where my severely limited mechanic skills were exceeded and had to bite the bullet, book an MOT and prepare myself for the worst.
A frankly remarkable £200 later (I was prepared for the worst) I've got new brakes all round and a fresh MOT for a year! YAY!!! So the car is back and in rude health. After the Fiesta it doesn't feel fast but it certainly corners better. It rattles and squeaks and the gearchange is sloppy, but my god when you get it on the twisty stuff it's fun. So I've sold the Fiesta and I'm considering my options as to whether I keep the 205 or sell it. Meanwhile I'll repost some pics I posted over on the photography forum:
A bit of info about the car. It's a 1993 1.9 with a scant 70,000 miles on the clock. Other than the petrol issue it's been amazingly reliable and a pleasure to own. The 2 year delay is entirely down to me taking months to do anything, not the car being hard to fix.
I'm not sure I can let it go to be honest. I'll see how I feel when it's been my daily drive for a few weeks.
It's been a long journey, but finally I've got the green meanie back on the road and I'm thoroughly enjoying it.
It all started (or ended, depending on your point of view) about two years ago when overnight the car developed a 12mpg thirst. A couple of weeks later and the alarm started going off all night and I needed to do something, so I disconnected the battery and went out and bought this:
Which was great fun but attracted the most negative comments I've ever experienced. Suddenly this thing arrived at a price too good to refuse, so I replaced the Ignis:
The ST was a great car to own - fast, reliable, comfortable, well specced and with a good stereo. But not frugal at 28mpg.
Meanwhile the 205 and myself went through a rocky patch, replacing all sorts of bits to try to sort out the Oliver Reed style thirst, and also to fix the other bits needed to get it through an MOT. Bad times:
Eventually I reached the point where my severely limited mechanic skills were exceeded and had to bite the bullet, book an MOT and prepare myself for the worst.
A frankly remarkable £200 later (I was prepared for the worst) I've got new brakes all round and a fresh MOT for a year! YAY!!! So the car is back and in rude health. After the Fiesta it doesn't feel fast but it certainly corners better. It rattles and squeaks and the gearchange is sloppy, but my god when you get it on the twisty stuff it's fun. So I've sold the Fiesta and I'm considering my options as to whether I keep the 205 or sell it. Meanwhile I'll repost some pics I posted over on the photography forum:
A bit of info about the car. It's a 1993 1.9 with a scant 70,000 miles on the clock. Other than the petrol issue it's been amazingly reliable and a pleasure to own. The 2 year delay is entirely down to me taking months to do anything, not the car being hard to fix.
I'm not sure I can let it go to be honest. I'll see how I feel when it's been my daily drive for a few weeks.
Coskev said:
Looks a very nice straight one
I've got the better looking
big bruv of the 205,309 Gti
You need your eyesight sorted outI've got the better looking
big bruv of the 205,309 Gti
The 205 is lovely and in one of my favourite cars, its a pity its a 1993 model though as its likely to be fitted with a power sapping catalytic convertor
Glad you have it sorted, you certainly have held onto the best of the 3 cars you have had recently
TheStig44 said:
Car looks brilliant Im currently in the market for one
This looks like good value for money: Im currently in the market for onehttp://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1248409.htm
Cars that age/mileage tend to be up for a lot more than that (witness two cars asking £4k on the classifieds), so I'm not sure what the catch is, unless the seller is just keen to get rid of it quickly. Got to be worth a look though!
Hard to be certain.
First I replaced the water temp sensor, which didn't fix it. Next up I tested the air flow meter with a multi-meter and the readings were all over the place, so I got a new one off a cavalier GSI which gave perfect readings. After that the car wouldn't start at all. I replaced the ignition amp, and then the coil, and after that the car was running lovely.
But then I had to restore the original ignition amp because the new one wouldn't allow the car to rev over 3000rpm! Note to self, some ebay stuff is cheap for a reason.
Fixing the gear shift is next on the list, but I want to enjoy the car for a while first!
First I replaced the water temp sensor, which didn't fix it. Next up I tested the air flow meter with a multi-meter and the readings were all over the place, so I got a new one off a cavalier GSI which gave perfect readings. After that the car wouldn't start at all. I replaced the ignition amp, and then the coil, and after that the car was running lovely.
But then I had to restore the original ignition amp because the new one wouldn't allow the car to rev over 3000rpm! Note to self, some ebay stuff is cheap for a reason.
Fixing the gear shift is next on the list, but I want to enjoy the car for a while first!
_dobbo_ said:
Hard to be certain.
First I replaced the water temp sensor, which didn't fix it. Next up I tested the air flow meter with a multi-meter and the readings were all over the place, so I got a new one off a cavalier GSI which gave perfect readings. After that the car wouldn't start at all. I replaced the ignition amp, and then the coil, and after that the car was running lovely.
But then I had to restore the original ignition amp because the new one wouldn't allow the car to rev over 3000rpm! Note to self, some ebay stuff is cheap for a reason.
Fixing the gear shift is next on the list, but I want to enjoy the car for a while first!
You do know that AFM's are specifically tuned for their intended engine? They aren't a generic part like a fan or battery that you can just swap between cars!First I replaced the water temp sensor, which didn't fix it. Next up I tested the air flow meter with a multi-meter and the readings were all over the place, so I got a new one off a cavalier GSI which gave perfect readings. After that the car wouldn't start at all. I replaced the ignition amp, and then the coil, and after that the car was running lovely.
But then I had to restore the original ignition amp because the new one wouldn't allow the car to rev over 3000rpm! Note to self, some ebay stuff is cheap for a reason.
Fixing the gear shift is next on the list, but I want to enjoy the car for a while first!
The same AFM with the exact same part number isn't going to be tuned differently in different engines.
In any case, I tested the output with a multi-meter and it is exactly correct for the specified AFM in my model year car, plus the car runs perfectly.
So I'm not at all worried that it is wrong!
In any case, I tested the output with a multi-meter and it is exactly correct for the specified AFM in my model year car, plus the car runs perfectly.
So I'm not at all worried that it is wrong!
Specsavers would make a killing with you lot!!!!!!!! 
The rear end of the 205 looks half finished,the ph1 309 Gti has got an ugly rear end,but the Ph2 309 Gti looks MUCH better than any 205
The rear end of the 205 looks half finished,the ph1 309 Gti has got an ugly rear end,but the Ph2 309 Gti looks MUCH better than any 205
_dobbo_ said:
so I got a new one off a cavalier GSI
I think you would struggle to find a AFM on a cav GSI,they run MAF sensors as the engine is the Vaux XE in them Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff