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Accelation loss after altenator change



Recently got a refurb alternator put in with new belt and tensioner. No more loud annoying bearing sounds, but the rapid increase in speed my little DCI used to be capable of in 2nd and 3rd gear has now diminished. It's more gradual, but flooring it doesn't make it go any faster. Wondering if this is something to look into or whether this is what it supposed to be, and in fact my previous setup was the faulty one?
 
Just went on a bitter of a longer drive to see the full extent of problem. My max speed is about 55 to 60mph. Struggles up hills. Pretty bad. Does the belt need to be worn in or something?
 
Update - I called the garage and they said it's not related to the alternator, but instead suggesting the injectors are causing the problem most likely. The car is at 137K - is it worth the job, if it the problem? I suspect they will need to be cleaned/reconditioned. Good job I never went in for the cambelt replacement at the same time of the alternator change.
 

MicKPM

ClioSport Trader
  Clio16v/Zoe Z.E.50
OR... whoever fitted the alternator has possibly refitted a boost pipe incorrectly or forgotten to connect something back up again.

Go have a look
 
OR... whoever fitted the alternator has possibly refitted a boost pipe incorrectly or forgotten to connect something back up again.

Go have a look
Whats the boost pipe and how can it be related?

I called them up already and as you'd expect he was adamant the two were not related. Its just convenient for this problem to occur right after going into them.
 
Interesting. There is some relief as I began thinking about ditching the car if it were the injectors, which it seems it may not be.
I'm not too familiar with this boost pipe. But I take it disconnecting it is required when fitting a new alternator and belt?
The mechanic is open to inspecting it again and doing some 'tests'. But an important question would also be - can I check if this boost pipe is connected without dismantling the car?
 
If I'm being honest, it's best going somewhere where they know what they're doing. As (with all due respect) if we have to tell you what the boost pipes are, you won't know what you're looking for to find an issue.
 
The place I took it too are renault specialists, if they don't know what they doing...? It might have been an honest mistake, who knows?
I just need to know enough to be able to explain this to the mechanic so he can take a look. If he's willing to entertain this for free, then why not? If it can be seen without dismantling the car, or at least by moving a few components out the way, then the better..
 

MicKPM

ClioSport Trader
  Clio16v/Zoe Z.E.50
Car went in fine but needing an alternator. Car came out after replacement of the alternator but slow... See a connection yet?

Send it back, it is not your injectors.
 
Car went in fine but needing an alternator. Car came out after replacement of the alternator but slow... See a connection yet?

Send it back, it is not your injectors.
Well, exactly. I don't think it's coincidental.
Admittedly, the car does need a service and its glow plugs replaced (light comes up on dash), but it was running perfectly before hand.
 
Car went in fine but needing an alternator. Car came out after replacement of the alternator but slow... See a connection yet?

Send it back, it is not your injectors.
Will be going back in this week. But he did say if it's possible that if they are lose I'd hear a hissing sound or air in take? Shouldn't it be the other way around?

In any case I'll report back and we'll see
 

MicKPM

ClioSport Trader
  Clio16v/Zoe Z.E.50
You should be able to hear boost leaking yes but these cars aren't boost monsters and being "French", the odd whine is considered normal so may go un-noticed.

Just don't let them fob you off in to paying for something that they've obviously done. I did it myself on a 3.0 Diesel Espace last week which came in for a split boost pipe replacement. It had no turbo what so ever after replacing the pipe and upon investigation it seems i'd somehow managed to push the Vac line off the waste gate control when putting the engine cover back on (So it was venting everything straight out the exhaust). Simple mistake, easy to fix but not something the customer saw or was charged for as I checked the vehicle worked properly BEFORE it was released to them.
 
You should be able to hear boost leaking yes but these cars aren't boost monsters and being "French", the odd whine is considered normal so may go un-noticed.

Just don't let them fob you off in to paying for something that they've obviously done. I did it myself on a 3.0 Diesel Espace last week which came in for a split boost pipe replacement. It had no turbo what so ever after replacing the pipe and upon investigation it seems i'd somehow managed to push the Vac line off the waste gate control when putting the engine cover back on (So it was venting everything straight out the exhaust). Simple mistake, easy to fix but not something the customer saw or was charged for as I checked the vehicle worked properly BEFORE it was released to them.
Thanks for the reply.
I can't quite hear any whine over my left side wheel bearing which needs replacing. But I have noticed an odd noise inbetween gear change which I thought might have been the new alternator, although it might be related.
We'll see what happens this week and I'll report back.
 
  RB Clio 182
I'm only asking because I know when the vacuum hoses come off on other turbo cars it can make a sort of turkey noise, that's how some people describe it anyway :)
 
Went back to the mechanic. And within a few minutes I pointed to the oil pipe to the intercooler which had become undone which sits right in front of the alternator. The oil has splattered everywhere. He attached it back on and I took it for a test drive. The power is definitely back, but now there is distinct hissing/whistling noise when I put my foot down enough for the turbo to kick in. Now, how do I address this problem?
 

MicKPM

ClioSport Trader
  Clio16v/Zoe Z.E.50
Oil pipe... to the intercooler? The intercooler reduces the charge temps of air flowing in to the engine and doesn't have any oil feeds. Are you sure you don't mean they've connected up the boost pipes to the intercooler again?
 
Sorry, might have got mixed up. It's the main pipe which comes round from the right into the left of the intercooler. They told me that's an oil pipe, and presumbly that's there the oil leak was originating? Or is that boost pipe? In any case, it's been refastened on, but now with a hissing noise.
 

MicKPM

ClioSport Trader
  Clio16v/Zoe Z.E.50
Yeah, probably the boost pipe and oil is going everywhere because (chances are) your turbo is leaking oil and the IC pipe seal isn't great.

The hissing noise also sounds like a boost leak. Are any of the hard pipes damaged at all?
 
Not that I can see. I'm going to take it another mechanic my brother knows. The question is whether its worth repairing. It's got 137K miles. If the turbo which would be odd as it seems all of a sudden, then that might be an additional expense.
But I thought the hissing is there because the IC seal is no good and it might not be sitting properly for what ever reason.
 

Ol’ Tarby

ClioSport Moderator
  Clio 220 Trophy
Where about in the country are you? Someone might be able to recommend someone nearby that knows what they're doing
 

MicKPM

ClioSport Trader
  Clio16v/Zoe Z.E.50
Not that I can see. I'm going to take it another mechanic my brother knows. The question is whether its worth repairing. It's got 137K miles. If the turbo which would be odd as it seems all of a sudden, then that might be an additional expense.
But I thought the hissing is there because the IC seal is no good and it might not be sitting properly for what ever reason.

If the boost pipe has been off then chances are, the turbo has been over spooling its tits off, which *may* have contributed towards its demise.

Mileage isn't anything on one of these so if there aren't any other issues, I'd refurb the turbo and carry on.
 
I'm going to drive it down and have a look to see if this boost pipe into the IC is fixed up properly. Trying with the simple things first.
This is where it was detached:

IMG_0656.JPG
 
If there aren't any other leaks, how much would it cost to recondition turbo and it get it all done inc labour? I guess the risk here is that if somehow it's not the turbo, then I'd be down even more money.
 
  Clio 172, Escort RST
Aren't turbos meant to give off a slight amount of mist anyway and last quite a while in this condition, due to the nature of how they are lubricated? I know many Land Rovers have *damp* but not wet pipes with no signs of blue smoke etc.

Of course there is a difference there is plenty of oil in the intake!
 
Update: Seen by another motor mechanic. The pipe needs to be reconnected to the IC with a new seal with all the oil and muck cleaned up around it. That should stop the hissing noise when turbo kicks in.
One question I have to you guys is whether there is supposed to be some oil circulating through this pipe into the IC? The oil which you can see in the image above much have originated from the pipe. If its not supposed to have oil, then it means the turbo is on its way out? But if its normal to have some oil circulating through this pipe and the IC, where does it get collected?
 
Update: Seen by another motor mechanic. The pipe needs to be reconnected to the IC with a new seal with all the oil and muck cleaned up around it. That should stop the hissing noise when turbo kicks in.
One question I have to you guys is whether there is supposed to be some oil circulating through this pipe into the IC? The oil which you can see in the image above much have originated from the pipe. If its not supposed to have oil, then it means the turbo is on its way out? But if its normal to have some oil circulating through this pipe and the IC, where does it get collected?

Anyone able to comment on the above?

Second query is - where can I get a seal from for the IC to secure the ingoing IC pipe? Apparently they can only be obtained from dealers - is this true?
 

sburrell93

Scotland - South
ClioSport Area Rep
Update: Seen by another motor mechanic. The pipe needs to be reconnected to the IC with a new seal with all the oil and muck cleaned up around it. That should stop the hissing noise when turbo kicks in.
One question I have to you guys is whether there is supposed to be some oil circulating through this pipe into the IC? The oil which you can see in the image above much have originated from the pipe. If its not supposed to have oil, then it means the turbo is on its way out? But if its normal to have some oil circulating through this pipe and the IC, where does it get collected?
Diesels will naturally breathe a bit of oil mist into the intercooler pipework. I'd say if the pipes are a bit wet its not really anything to worry about but if there's actually oil pooling in them and enough to drip out an unconnected pipe then that's a problem
 
Well, I was driving the car without the pipe connected to the intercooler for a while until we discovered that was causing the power loss. I don't think its leaking any oil now, but the pipe needs to be secured on properly (it was simply moved and locked into place at the garage). I think getting new seals and cleaning it all up is in order. I just thought that it might not have been normal for oil to pass through these pipes, but if it is I'm a little relieved. So does this oil get fed back into the engine presumably, or collected in the IC?
 


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