Mike:
I get the dreded slime in the crankcase vent system driving in the
-20 to -40 winters. It is a result of the motor making more condensation
than it can get rid of. The XU9J2 has screens in it's plastic oil
filler/breather junction box. The screens freeze up with this water/oil
slime causing numerous problems. Peugeot has recommended removing them as
a partial remedy in cold climates. PCV system freezing problems in the
XU9J2 have resulted in the production by PSA of a kit with a heating
element that goes into the PCV/oil fill hose. PCV freezing/blockage
problems are exascerbated in the XU9J2 engine because the hoses are all on
the front of the engine and receive the full force of any cold wind coming
through the rad. I don't know if the XU9J4 is the same but if it is it is
trouble waiting to happen when it gets cold.
I came across Montana and N.Dakota this Jan.with cardboard sandwiched
between the rad and the AC condenser . I ran a piece of aluminum flex duct
from the top of the exhaust manifold to the air filter to keep frost out of
the air intake. My '89 405S that I just bought in Seattle was leaking
exhaust intermittently from a cracked ex manifold so I drove all the way
with the
back windows open a couple inches . When I shut off the heater the engine
would over heat. I had just put in a new $130 heater core . It's a real
wrestling match . The all alum. heater core seems very suceptable to
corroding through from inside this neglected 405 w/95,000mi had at least 3
small holes , it's thin as tissue paper but does it ever pump out the heat
when the climate control lets it.
The water comes to the heater from the fire wall in two aluminum tubes the
have O rings sealing them to the core. My '89 405 DL was leaking there . I
changed the o-rings but I can still smell antifreeze some times, until it's
running out the end of the heater I'm not going to do anything except try a
few kind of rad sealer. Many swear by their favorite brand . But I'd like
to hear from anybody with a favorite for sealing aluminum leaks.
Bob Bruce