Who here owns a Renaultsport?

Janesy B · 18 May 2010 at 10:26

Berger · 18 May 2010 at 10:43

Janesy B said:

Register then foo'

Hi all,

I'm at the side of the road waiting for the RAC to turn up. I was accelerating in 2nd and something in the engine bay went. It sounded to me like a belt of some sort. I lost all power but I pu my foot down a little and it revved up a bit but something was rattling around under the bonnet.

The steering went heavy and then the engine cut out. All belts have been done in the last year or so, and the PAS pump was replaced recently.

I've only had the car for 4 weeks so I am gutted. Any ideas what might have gone wrong?

ScarySquirrel · 18 May 2010 at 10:46

ScarySquirrel said:
Hi all,

I'm at the side of the road waiting for the RAC to turn up. I was accelerating in 2nd and something in the engine bay went. It sounded to me like a belt of some sort. I lost all power but I pu my foot down a little and it revved up a bit but something was rattling around under the bonnet.

The steering went heavy and then the engine cut out. All belts have been done in the last year or so, and the PAS pump was replaced recently.

I've only had the car for 4 weeks so I am gutted. Any ideas what might have gone wrong?

AlanHod on ClioSport.net said:
Right, I have had the exact same on the way to work. Exactly as you have described and it was the cambelt that failed. You cant see the cambelt without removing the cover and my aux belt looked ok. Prepare for the worst, it cost me £1070 to get my car running again (and that was a 'special' cash price apparently because my dads mate knows the garage owner).

It gutting, mine had belts replaced then failed within twelve months.

melchy · 18 May 2010 at 10:48

If it does turn out to be a belt, and if it has had the full Renault belt and pulley kits fitted at a dealer rather than just the belts themselves you may be able to get something done under warranty (although it may be a struggle to convince them of this). Unfortunately a lot of people do it on the cheap and don't replace the pulleys.

Janesy B · 18 May 2010 at 10:48

Do you have any receipts for the Cambelt work? I'd be hot on the phone to whoever changed the belts, if that is the confirmed fault.

ruffneck · 18 May 2010 at 10:49

Ouch

Westyfield2 · 18 May 2010 at 10:49

As part of my "No I won't buy a 182, honest!" I have an account there..

Unlucky ScarySquirrel, fingers crossed it's not the Cambelt!

ScarySquirrel · 18 May 2010 at 10:59

If it is, I'll be making a call to the guy I bought it off as he had it done at the garage he works at. I don't see why he would skimp on it though when he drove it for another year after having it done.

ShiWarrior · 18 May 2010 at 11:16

you havent had it long either, i would be make some phone calls to the person you bought it from, and the garage it was fixed at perhaps?
if thats a no go- get some advice , get a soliciter involved

redeye_uk · 18 May 2010 at 11:45

I hope for your sake the Cam/Aux belts havent gone otherwise you could be in for an expensive bill. Although if the RAC man was a little miffed it might suggest a belt hasnt gone?

Sods law it happens after you spent hours cleaning it.

ScarySquirrel · 18 May 2010 at 17:23

Well, the worst that could have happened, has happened. The engine is dead. Apparently there are shards of metal inside it, the mechanic thinks a valve has fallen into the pistons and has completely screwed the engine. I'm not sure if that makes sense as I don't really know much when it comes to this kind of stuff.

My options:

- Pay £300+ for them to strip the engine and confirm if it is dead or not
- Buy a new engine (how much?) and get it put in the car (been told about £800 labour)
- Sell the car for parts. How do I even do this? Would a breakers yard just buy it off me for a fixed price?

I am absolutely gutted. 4-5 weeks of ownership and it's dead.

The garage told me there is no way the last owner could have known there was a problem, it's just one of those things and is bad luck.

redeye_uk · 18 May 2010 at 17:39

Thats seriously harsh. Is claiming on insurance an option?

ScarySquirrel · 18 May 2010 at 17:44

redeye_uk said:
Thats seriously harsh. Is claiming on insurance an option?

Unfortunately not, insurance doesn't cover mechanical failure.

I've found this - http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/SALES/1713006.htm

Which is an option. It would cost about £60 to get it delivered to me, so I might just try and knock him down to £800 inc. delivery or something. I'm going to be looking at a bill of around £1,600 - £1,800 though. I feel sick just thinking about it!

stoke1863 · 18 May 2010 at 17:49

ScarySquirrel i feel very sorry for you. You only had the car like a month and you could tell you were very happy with it

Hope it gets fixed

Ev0 · 18 May 2010 at 18:00

Gutted.

Just had the belts done on mine today, along with 4 new tyres and new brakes up front.

Krowzer · 18 May 2010 at 18:37

Jesus looks like a bad day for clio sports

my battery went today and had to get towed to my mates garage.

But unlucky ScarySquirrel hope you get it sorted.

Westyfield2 · 18 May 2010 at 18:38

ScarySquirrel said:
Well, the worst that could have happened, has happened. The engine is dead. Apparently there are shards of metal inside it, the mechanic thinks a valve has fallen into the pistons and has completely screwed the engine. I'm not sure if that makes sense as I don't really know much when it comes to this kind of stuff.

My options:

- Pay £300+ for them to strip the engine and confirm if it is dead or not
- Buy a new engine (how much?) and get it put in the car (been told about £800 labour)
- Sell the car for parts. How do I even do this? Would a breakers yard just buy it off me for a fixed price?

I am absolutely gutted. 4-5 weeks of ownership and it's dead.

The garage told me there is no way the last owner could have known there was a problem, it's just one of those things and is bad luck.

:'(

I'd buy a new engine (not a shrink-wrapped brand new one mind, one that's low miles or just been rebuilt) and fit it myself.

You still got the Corsa to drive around in for now?

ScarySquirrel · 18 May 2010 at 19:28

No I haven't got the Corsa, but I should be able to borrow work's Audi A4 for a week or so, although not ideal.

I wouldn't have a clue how to fit an engine so will have to pay the £800 odd the garage want to fit it

ShiWarrior · 18 May 2010 at 19:29

ScarySquirrel said:
Unfortunately not, insurance doesn't cover mechanical failure.

I've found this - http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/SALES/1713006.htm

Which is an option. It would cost about £60 to get it delivered to me, so I might just try and knock him down to £800 inc. delivery or something. I'm going to be looking at a bill of around £1,600 - £1,800 though. I feel sick just thinking about it!

£850 for an engine?
god that is cheap, id get it , even if u dont use it!

melchy · 18 May 2010 at 19:50

As said above find out if they used the full belt/pulley kit when the belt was changed. If the belt or pulley failed after the full kit was fitted you should be able to argue your case with Renault UK. The belt and pulley shouldn't be failing after one year.