What temperature is normal for a 206cc? + more problems

[jamieburford]

Just bought a 206cc 1.6 2001 with 50k on the clock for my partner. Its back at the garage for problems to be sorted that it just keeps coming back with.
The airbag light was on and saying airbag fault on the screen. They rectified this as they said they would, then when we took delivery of the car, closed the passenger door and instantly it said airbag fault again. Went back, came back and as soon as I started it, you guessed it, airbag fault. This seems to be intermittent as they fixed it again, then it came back on, then when the car went back it was normal again! It also sometimes says that the passenger airbag is de-activated when it isn't.
This has been running alongside what I think could be a major fault. When I first took delivery of the car the temperature went quite high near the red, It went slowly, not a major erratic jump as seems to be a common issue. This was in traffic and when I drove again, the temperature went down well below 90, quicker than it had gone up there. They had the car back (still trying to sort the airbag problem at the same time), said it was some sort of relay which was replaced. I drove the car to check it and it seemed to take a long time to get up to temperature. I drove it for a few minutes and had to leave it idling for 10 before it got to 90. This is a lot slower than when it happened the first time. It then started to creep over 90 so I shut it down and gave it back to the garage. I drive a BMW and the needle goes to halfway and doesn't move at all. Should it be the same for 206 cc's? Or is a little bit of movement normal?
We're almost 2 weeks in with this now and haven't had the car more than a day at home. The garage we bought it from doesn't seem to know what's happening with either the airbag or the overheating, so I'm here as I've had excellent help from BMW forums in the past. So if anyone's got any advice i'd be very grateful!

[gazza82]

Are they fixing it or simply turning the airbag warning light out by clearing the codes? Sounds like they haven;t found the fault.

Temp sounds like the fan relay ... it didn't kick in to cool the rad but you driving set up the airflow that did. If it is taking a long time to get to temp then the thermostat is stuck open or even missing (if has been know for these to be removed to mask other issues). I don't drive my daughters CC much (usually when it needs an MOT or I've been fixing something), but I'm sure her water temp moves to just below the 90 mark fairly swiftly and stays there.

I'd be inclined to say it isn't "fit for sale" and get your money back ... Trading Standards may also be interested ...

[jamieburford]

Thanks for the reply. I suspect they were just clearing the codes to stop the airbag fault. It's the third time it's gone back now so if it isn't fully functional when we get it back then a refund will certainly be requested. Trouble is if they refuse there'll be a long fight to get anywhere surely. I'm aware that it has to be fit for purpose which it clearly isn't. Also of satisfactory quality, again which it isn't.

[GrandadMonkey]

Just involve Trading Standards. They'll sort 'em out.

[jamieburford]

Apparently the airbag has been fixed but I'm not confident about the temperature. Where should the temp gauge sit when driving and how long should it take to get there? In my BMW if the gauge even goes one notch over half way you've got a problem. Is this the case with peugeots too? Last time I drove it it like seemed to take an long time to get up to halfway then it started to creep over halfway and past 90. I didn't give it chance to see how far up it went. Is this acceptable?

[GrandadMonkey]

On ours it creeps up to about 90 after 5 miles then the thermostat opens and it drops back down to 80. From then on it tends to fluctuate between 80 and 90. In town it can go well above 90 when sitting in traffic until the cooling fan cuts in, especially on a hot day.

[Minirailz]

Mine's reached nearly 110 degrees once in traffic (on a hot sunny day).
Just stay out of the red

Dennis

[Luditus]

I do many very short journeys, so now and again I sit in the car park on fast idle to flush out the cat. The temp needle eventually reaches the red and then the fan cuts in, needle falls back - job done. Normally the needle sits in the vertical postion, which is the accepted design position for most gauges.