Poorly Clio 172

digitalwolf · 7 Sep 2009 at 10:04

Driving to work today, I rolled up to some traffic lights and noticed my Clio was running a little rough. Pulling off the lights I immediately knew something was wrong - no power at all. It sounds like a subaru and is drinking fuel like one too.

I continued to work as there is no engine management light on the dash but now i'm wondering if it's best to get the RAC out which would mean buying cover.

At home I have a fault code reader so do I risk it and drive back or buy RAC cover and get them out?

I work 20 miles from home.

iaind · 7 Sep 2009 at 10:05

If it sounds like a scooby, its probably exhaust or intake related, stick your head under the car and see if anything's broken/rusted.

Have a feel on the intake pipes for splits too, especially any flexible rubber "banjo" style ones

digitalwolf · 7 Sep 2009 at 10:09

It has a 2.5" stainless exhaust on thats 2 months old so it's quite noisy anyway.

It is well down on power and missing badly.

Got a feeling it is the coil pack but surely the engine management light or atleast emissions light would be on?

iaind · 7 Sep 2009 at 10:10

As I said, if the sound has changed it's likely to be intake/exhaust related - unless it's running on 3 cylinders. Check the intake and exhaust, its easy enough to look at yourself

digitalwolf · 7 Sep 2009 at 10:15

It running on 3 cylinders or not fueling properly.

There is no power at all and on a journey where I usually get 39-40mpg i'm getting 21 :eek:

ajstan · 7 Sep 2009 at 10:16

Well RAC is about £40 a year for basic cover, its worth having, - especially since you have a Renault

iaind · 7 Sep 2009 at 10:17

Could just be a spark plug, HT lead or coil pack as you say

Often EM lights take a little while to come on

digitalwolf · 7 Sep 2009 at 10:20

Can I damage anything by driving it back?

I had RAC cover on the Saxo for 3 years and never had to call them.

Looks like I need to take it out, it's around £130 for the full works.

iaind · 7 Sep 2009 at 10:22

Just drive it to a local garage to have a look at?

lordrobs · 7 Sep 2009 at 10:24

I'd pull the ignition leads/coil packs one at a time with the engine running to see if you can eliminate a non firing cylinder then go from there.

redeye_uk · 8 Sep 2009 at 08:48

Sounds like an engine coil has gone given Renaults track record with them and the symptoms described. Good test is to see if the gear knob vibrates whilst at a stand still.

As for the warning light not coming on - from my experience it can take a while for the emissions warning light to come on. I would get it replaced asap otherwise it might take your catalytic converter out (which happened to me when i had 2 go at once)