>I have noticed the starting is not as good as my 205 whose engine was
>excellent. (could be glow plugs or compression I guess)
What about hot starting?
>I have not checked valve clearances yet - I expect they will be out - i
>dont think the previous owner would have checked them - I was hoping a
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>changing them made no difference to the running or fuel consumption
>that I noticed.
It can make a difference if the valves are not closing properly. It can also
make hot starting poor on some of the PSA engines, it did on my 106 1.5D
Yes I know that the clearance should increase as the engine heats up, but
not it appears on the 1.5D
To do the job properly, you also have to grind in the badly seating valves
which of course, means taking the head off.
>If the ignition is not on I can't crank the car unless I short the
>starter motor which I dont think is a good idea so perhaps I can jam
>the solenoid shut?
You just disconnect the wire to the solenoid, it's the big nut with a
connector on it just above where the high pressure pipes come out.
>Have you noticed a difference using injector cleaner - I used a batch
>in my 205 and I noticed a slight difference it would run a bit smoother
>at very low revs but made no difference anywhere else or with fuel
>consumption so I was thinking it was a waste of £20.
It will only make a difference if the injectors need cleaning. This is
normally indicated by the sound of one pot knocking (the injector dripping),
ie. an uneven beat.
>As for low speed running is it really more efficient to have higher
>revs and be using the turbo - mine starts to kick in at 2,000 rpm where
>a lot of time I cruise at 30 - 40 mph at 1,500 rpm?
Depends on how much accelleration you want. You can do a test, with the
engine at say 1500 in perhaps 3rd gear, put your foot to the floor, then
slowly bring it back up, and see at what point the accelleration decreases.
All that movement further down than that point is just burning fuel for no
gain.
If you do the same thing once the turbo is working, you will get more
useable throttle, and less unburnt fuel, though you still can get too much
fuel if you put your foot down too far at given revs.