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2001 1.4 16v Alize

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16v alize
3K views 10 replies 3 participants last post by  tidyclio 
#1 ·
Can anybody offer some advice from new within the first year I had to have all ignition coils replaced. After the first service/ cam belt change the renault dealer kept my clio for 9 weeks - it wouldn't start, then it ran rough lots of black smoke and conking out. They couldn't find a solution gave me a part refund and made me take it back. Another garage eventually figured could be wrong oil so did a total oil change, made it usable. And over time (and oil changes) it has run better. Had problems with the immobilizer - had to buy new keys, when cold engine takes 5 or 6 goes to get started.

Two weeks ago the cam belt snapped, fortunately only taking out two valves. Had it all replaced and am now having exactly the same problems as last time the cam belt was changed. The garage (not a renault dealer), says their computer says there is no faults yet the engine (when it starts) intermittantly runs rough, valves not firing and cuts out. Then won't re-start. He has checked all the wiring to look for a break and can only sumise that it is something to do with the ECU - but why would this be affected by a cam belt change? The garage says this is not there problem and that I should look at the ECU?

I have enjoyed driving my clio and need it for work I would really appreciate any advice anyone out there can offer.
 
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#2 ·
Hi sorry to hear of your troubles. First of all the coils on the 1.4 and 1.6 engine are completely useless on all engines i've came across i'm amazed Renault can't seem to come on with a modified one.

When did you get the cambelt changed original what date and what mileage? Also what mileage did it snap on and what date?
The ECU should not be affected by the cambelt change and at first I would have said it sounds like it has been fitted incorrectly but it would be unlikely a second garage would make the exact same mistake.
You could bite the bullet and take it to a different Renault dealer from the one that originally worked on it and get it plugged in to see what they can find but I will warn you now and ECU is not cheap. If it is confirmed as that you could go down to 2nd hand route though you would need a few extra parts so that the immobiliser still works ok but it would work out a lot cheaper than it will with Renault.

The black smoke and rough running could also be a sign that the coils are away again and I wouldn't put it past them as like I say they are useless.
 
#3 ·
Thanks for the reply Tidyclio, in answer to your questions; the cam belt was changed the first time roughly three years ago at 72,000 and then went two weeks ago at just over 145,000.

Had a retired mechanic pressure test and listen to it at the weekend and he reckons the dealership who changed it at 72,000 have damaged one of the valves without noticing but not enough for the current mechanics to notice as they were only lookinf for major cam belt damage. The valve pressures on 1 & 2 are now 175, 3 is 156 and 4 is 198. The current garage have not bedded in the two new valves properly. Cylinder 1 is also running hot as the spark plug is pure brilliant white, these plugs have only done 200 miles as we replaced them ourselves. 2,3 & 4 all look like normal spark plugs.

Any ideas would be really appreciated as I miss my car!
 
#4 ·
Hi again Suzy. I will be honest i'm quite puzzled and without actually seeing the car it is very hard to work anything out. Hopefully somebody will be able to read the information you have told and give a more definate cause.

It's possible that the garage who first fitted the belt have somehow fitted it incorrectly. Normally when you fit a belt you turn it over by hand to check everything is free and the engine isn't locking so as to make sure it is timed correctly before starting it. If they have fitted the belt a tooth out from the corrent position it may have turned over and damaged the valve though i'm not sure unless it actually fired up that the starter motor alone would have enough force to do this normally the engine would just lock up. The damaged valve would explain the rough running though.

Though incorrect fitting of the belt could cause extra stress on it leading to early failure I would say you have just been
unlucky with it going so close to the time it should have been changed.

From what you say there does not sound anything wrong with the pressure in cylinder one though the white coloured plug can indicate that it is not getting enough fuel. This could possibly be down to a blocked fuel injector on that cylinder but that alone would not be enough to stop the car from starting. Since it also is not showing up any fault codes it may well be worth checking the coils particulary number 1 as these can lead to the car not running right and also starting problems.

When you try and start it does it make any attempt to fire up?

Like I say i'm sorry I can't be of more help it's very hard without being able to see the car though maybe somebody else will pick up on something.

If you don't mind me asking where are you located I use a few Renault forums and know of a few very knowledgable speciallists around the country.
 
#5 ·
Here is the odd bit, the car is now running but is misfiring. When I check to see which cylinder is misfiring all four seem the same. As I disconnect each spark plug they all make the engine struggle to run and try to cut out. I presume that if one of the plugs was misfiring all the time then disconnecting that one would make no difference to the running. The coils were all replaced shortly after the last cam belt service as they all stopped working one at a time.

If you know of any specialists in Essex it would really help.
Thanks.
 
#6 ·
Yeah you are right in that if one cylinder was at fault you should notice not much of a difference when you disconnect the coil. If it's a problem with all four it could be down to and ECU fault it could also be down to something like the manifold pressure sensor or a couple of others but these faults should really show up when it's checked for faults.

Sorry the nearest specialist I could think of to you was Portsmouth which would be to far. You do have BB Tuning in Essex who do have a lot of diagnostic equipment and are quite clued up on there Renaults. If you are close it might be worth a phone call to see if they think they might be able to help.

BB Performance Tuning
Unit 4 Riverside
Station Road
Earls Colne
Essex CO6 2ER

Email: sales@bbperformancetuning.co.uk
Fax: 01787 220457
 
#7 ·
Hi

Just reading about those problems and it sounds very much like the problems I am having with my Clio 2002 1.4 16V.

I returned from a week's holiday (previously no issues with my car) to it not starting. It turns over but does not fire up - the injectors are not pulsing (I am told by the mechanic who has tried lots of things and is at a loss...)

I am getting really worried this may end up costing me a fortune - would anyone have any ideas or know of any specialists in the staffordshire and derbyshire areas?

Please help...
 
#8 ·
Hi Liz from the top of my head the only person I can think of in that area is another who is more widely known for tuning car but again knows his Renaults inside out. He does mechanical repairs but i'm not 100% if he does electical diagnostic work but if not i'm sure he will know somebody else local he could pass you onto.
Details are-

Barns Heath Farm,
Snarestone Road,
Appleby Magna,
Swadlingcote,
Derbys,
DE12 7AJ

Phone: 01530 273633

Mobile: 07973 342081

Also I looked around for you and another garage that appears to come highly recommended and is Euro car care in Derby they specialise in Renaults also.
Website with details here-http://www.eurocarcare.co.uk/
 
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