Hi,
I've just acquired a '91 200TE Auto Estate. As I paid little for it, I am happy to spend a bit on it to tidy it up a bit. The bodywork is good for its age (a bit of normal wheelarch stuff) and at 170k I hope it's got a bit of life left. I would like some advice from members regarding a couple of problems with it:
1) Vibration - between 60 - 90 MPH there is some vibration which does not appear to be the front wheels, although I can feel it a bit through the steering. I have checked tyre pressures, had all wheels balanced and tracking adjusted. I have also just changed the front propshaft coupling as this was completely shot, and wouldn't have helped things. Each of these actions has improved things, but the vibration is still there. Before I go back to have the wheel balance double-checked, does anybody have any other ideas?
2) Heater - I can't get hot air from the heater (no aircon fitted). I've seen lots of discussion about the duo-valves failing and ONLY getting hot air, but not my symptoms. Checking for power, I see 13.5v on the duo-valve centre connector, but nothing on the other 2, irrespective of the heater controls. The auxiliary pump has 13.5v on the +ve connector, but apparently no earthing on the other. Connecting directly to the battery has confirmed that the pump works. I'm guessing that if the pump worked full-time, then I would get continuous hot air from the heater? All fuses appear to be OK (and there's power at the valves and pump), so should I be looking at a controller circuit, or maybe simply an earthing lead somewhere?
3) Radiator - Although only 2 years old, the radiator has a leak at the top of the matrix. Previous owner put radiator sealant in which fixed the problem briefly, but it continues to blow. It could simply be that the radiator is a duffer, but does anybody have any advice? I have not pressure-tested the system yet, but with the cap off, it does not appear to blowing from the engine - no signs of oil/water mix anywhere. I don't want to splash out on a new radiator if it's going to blow again.
Any help with these would be appreciated.
I'm still undecided whether to keep it or sell it on (and possibly buy a newer one with lower mileage, maybe diesel) - any thoughts / advice?
Thanks,
Creamy
I've just acquired a '91 200TE Auto Estate. As I paid little for it, I am happy to spend a bit on it to tidy it up a bit. The bodywork is good for its age (a bit of normal wheelarch stuff) and at 170k I hope it's got a bit of life left. I would like some advice from members regarding a couple of problems with it:
1) Vibration - between 60 - 90 MPH there is some vibration which does not appear to be the front wheels, although I can feel it a bit through the steering. I have checked tyre pressures, had all wheels balanced and tracking adjusted. I have also just changed the front propshaft coupling as this was completely shot, and wouldn't have helped things. Each of these actions has improved things, but the vibration is still there. Before I go back to have the wheel balance double-checked, does anybody have any other ideas?
2) Heater - I can't get hot air from the heater (no aircon fitted). I've seen lots of discussion about the duo-valves failing and ONLY getting hot air, but not my symptoms. Checking for power, I see 13.5v on the duo-valve centre connector, but nothing on the other 2, irrespective of the heater controls. The auxiliary pump has 13.5v on the +ve connector, but apparently no earthing on the other. Connecting directly to the battery has confirmed that the pump works. I'm guessing that if the pump worked full-time, then I would get continuous hot air from the heater? All fuses appear to be OK (and there's power at the valves and pump), so should I be looking at a controller circuit, or maybe simply an earthing lead somewhere?
3) Radiator - Although only 2 years old, the radiator has a leak at the top of the matrix. Previous owner put radiator sealant in which fixed the problem briefly, but it continues to blow. It could simply be that the radiator is a duffer, but does anybody have any advice? I have not pressure-tested the system yet, but with the cap off, it does not appear to blowing from the engine - no signs of oil/water mix anywhere. I don't want to splash out on a new radiator if it's going to blow again.
Any help with these would be appreciated.
I'm still undecided whether to keep it or sell it on (and possibly buy a newer one with lower mileage, maybe diesel) - any thoughts / advice?
Thanks,
Creamy