Need help identifying issue with my car

regulus · 17 Nov 2006 at 19:57

I'm totally inept when it comes to car mechanics so please pardon my rather basic explanation.

I drive a W-reg Reanualt Clio 1.9D Deluxe. Problem is that sometimes it chugs a bit too much when I try to start her up, other times it goes without a hitch. I'll turn the key, wait for the little light thing (lol, god I'm crap) on the dashboard to go off and then turn the key. Like I said, sometimes it comes on immediatelly, other times it don't. That's all I've got...

All I need to know from you guys are the possible problems it could be. I'm thinking either battery (which is fairly new since I've only done 90 000 miles), or the starter motor. Could it be anything else?

hominid · 17 Nov 2006 at 20:11

Sounds like the glow plugs are wearing a bit, you could need new ones. As the weather gets colder do you notice it's header to start the car?

Try warming the glow plugs twice, two cycles of the yellow light, before trying to start it, is it better after that?

regulus · 17 Nov 2006 at 20:23

That's exactly the problem. It's very hard to start it in the freezing early hours of the morning but quite easy during the afternoon late evening etc.

I'll try and do what you said, but also, is the glow plugs expensive to replace? Is it easy enough to do myself?

CypherPunk · 17 Nov 2006 at 20:32

Glow plugs are reasonable cheap and easy to replace although they can be quite fiddly. Make sure you use a torque wrench and tighten them to the correct torque though, and they are normally replaced in sets.

regulus · 17 Nov 2006 at 20:44

I'd rather take it down to a Renault garage and spank the debit card a bit. I'm not confident enough to start fiddeling with the insides

CypherPunk · 17 Nov 2006 at 20:48

I'd take it to a local independent or Renault specialist, it's an easy job but I'm sure that won't stop Renault charging an arm and a leg for the privilege.

regulus · 17 Nov 2006 at 20:53

Just curious. How much does the average specialist garage charge to service a motor. Average off course, don't expect you to know the exact price.

CypherPunk · 17 Nov 2006 at 21:32

In my experience specialists tend to charge around 2/3 the hourly rate of main dealers, and back street independents probably around or just above 1/2. The actual rate varies a lot depending on where you live, from maybe £45 ph for a small independent up north to £75+ ph in London for the same type of garage.

Parts are normally cheaper from an independent, but not massively and it can sometimes take independents a while to get hold of rarer parts.