Renault Clio (03) 1.5 DCi
Hi - great to find this forum ... 
I am the happy (until last week) and proud owner of a 2 door 03 black Clio 1.5 DCi from new which is now up to 89,000 miles - it has done me proud ie reliable, drives well, etc etc - quite the best little car I have ever owned
But now
:S
Looking for help in particular a good garage specialising in Renault engines, ideally a Clio specialist, as close as possible to St Albans.
Why? Well, last week in the late evening I started up and it sounded a little bit more 'north london minicab' on starting than normal but not in any way concerning, so I put it down to being a cold evening. Headed onto the motorway which was clear so going quick, but smooth with no sign of any strain from the engine. Then about 10 miles later on the M25 a faint 'top end' clattering started (I just about noticed it starting but initially had to turn off the radio to hear it clearly). It started to get louder - sounded to me like a camshaft problem or something at the top end was loose. Straight onto the hard shoulder, switched off and coasted to the bottom of the hill. Started her up again and it rattled much worse. No loss of power though. Drove very gingerly/slowly on the hard shoulder the quarter mile to top of the next hill, switching off as quickly as possible, then coasted down and off at the next junction. Picked up by RAC from there who with much sucking of teeth declared it "top end problem" and "could be bad like your camshaft's gone" then "sort of sound it'd make if it had lost its oil". Oil though was fully topped up as was the water. The only other comment the RAC man made was "the oil smells very hot".
Had it 'relayed' to my local garage who are really good blokes and very willing and capable (not to the local Renault main dealer as their hourly rate is eye watering). They had a good look at it, then got someone (an 'expert') in to 'listen to it'. They also did a 'diagnosis' which all it told them was 'cylinder number 3'. They also took a look at the top of the engine and the camshaft etc is according to them all in place and 'solid as a rock'.
They have no idea what it is or what to do ... they now suggest I find a specialist, as they are unhappy going any further without really knowing what they are dealing with (told you they were good blokes - how may would have ploughed on making it up as they went along) ... thus this post.
I am loath to take it to my local Renault main dealer as they have proved massively expense on anything and everything I have ever done with them - I kept it fully Renault main dealer serviced and maintained throughout the three years of warranty period (only problem in that time was a new diesel pump).
Any help or suggestions gratefully recieved
Thank you in advance
Cheers
Owain
I am the happy (until last week) and proud owner of a 2 door 03 black Clio 1.5 DCi from new which is now up to 89,000 miles - it has done me proud ie reliable, drives well, etc etc - quite the best little car I have ever owned
But now
:S
Looking for help in particular a good garage specialising in Renault engines, ideally a Clio specialist, as close as possible to St Albans.
Why? Well, last week in the late evening I started up and it sounded a little bit more 'north london minicab' on starting than normal but not in any way concerning, so I put it down to being a cold evening. Headed onto the motorway which was clear so going quick, but smooth with no sign of any strain from the engine. Then about 10 miles later on the M25 a faint 'top end' clattering started (I just about noticed it starting but initially had to turn off the radio to hear it clearly). It started to get louder - sounded to me like a camshaft problem or something at the top end was loose. Straight onto the hard shoulder, switched off and coasted to the bottom of the hill. Started her up again and it rattled much worse. No loss of power though. Drove very gingerly/slowly on the hard shoulder the quarter mile to top of the next hill, switching off as quickly as possible, then coasted down and off at the next junction. Picked up by RAC from there who with much sucking of teeth declared it "top end problem" and "could be bad like your camshaft's gone" then "sort of sound it'd make if it had lost its oil". Oil though was fully topped up as was the water. The only other comment the RAC man made was "the oil smells very hot".
Had it 'relayed' to my local garage who are really good blokes and very willing and capable (not to the local Renault main dealer as their hourly rate is eye watering). They had a good look at it, then got someone (an 'expert') in to 'listen to it'. They also did a 'diagnosis' which all it told them was 'cylinder number 3'. They also took a look at the top of the engine and the camshaft etc is according to them all in place and 'solid as a rock'.
They have no idea what it is or what to do ... they now suggest I find a specialist, as they are unhappy going any further without really knowing what they are dealing with (told you they were good blokes - how may would have ploughed on making it up as they went along) ... thus this post.
I am loath to take it to my local Renault main dealer as they have proved massively expense on anything and everything I have ever done with them - I kept it fully Renault main dealer serviced and maintained throughout the three years of warranty period (only problem in that time was a new diesel pump).
Any help or suggestions gratefully recieved
Thank you in advance
Cheers
Owain
