Need advice re Peugeot repairs..am I being conned?

GibsonSt19

Don't laugh, but I'm a bloke who appreciates cars, but doesn't understand the inner workings at any respectable level, and this is where I could do with some advice.

I have a W reg Peugeot 406 2.0 GLX (believe me, I'm 26, ot a granddad!).

A couple of years (yes, you read it correctly) ago the engine started sounding and feeling rougher. When I purchased the car (3 years ago, sedond hand) I literally couldn't hear the engine whilst driving, however it's now sounding like a deisel. When coasting (in each gear), the car judders and whe the car's idling it's a little over the place.

Accelleration has decreased, fuel economy has decreased and my appreciation of the car has decreased.

I took it to be looked at, at a Peugeot garage near my place of work and they called me after a day to say they'd plugged it in to their 'puters and can report no problems.

I told them that they're wrong (bold, I know) and they rechecked it. They metioned something about the pressure being low throughout the car (???) and they proceeded to tell me that they'd replaced the spark plugs and were going to charge me the £80 for looking at it, and £22 for replacing the plugs.

Problem....car exactly the same. I took it back, they told me that they just didn't have the time to do the work, as it sounded as though I needed to get my whole valve set replaced, but that to do this they'd first need to take the head gasket apart (which would cost me £200) ad then tell me what was wrong. They advised that if it was the valves, it would cost £600 parts ad £600 labour.

I did't get the work done, and left it for a few months (bad, I know).

I then took the car to my local Peugeot garage and they basically advised that they didn't want to look at the car.

What on earth do I do? It apparently needs to be looked at at a Peugeot garage (so they can plug it in to their computers), so I can't take it to a normal garage.

Your ideas would be most appreciated.

P.s. I can't really afford spending more than £1,000 on getting the car sorted.

Luis

Have sent you a PM.

vansboy

If Luis hasn't sorted it post on https://www.honestjohn.co.uk in 'The Backroom - ask in Technical Matters.

Sounds like valves/camshaft - all 'top end' of engine.

Have you tried, a simple thing really, an oil change & engine flush?

You can DIY this, if you buy some flushing additive, from local parts store. Pour it in the filler, run the engine for however many minutes/miles it says on the can, then change the oil.Use semi synthetic oil. Change filter too.

If you don't want to oil change yourself, check the post a couple of threads below & go to a tyre centre. You'll need to have added the flushing agent on the way there - so make sure it is a product that lets you actually DRIVE the car, rather than just run the engine.

It may work, clearing some sticking & gunged up valves, before resorting to major expense.

Then best find a smaller garage/local Pug specialist.

Are you near me - Herts/Beds area, I can point you in some directions, if you are.

Good luck!!

VB