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Flashing engine light, shuddering and lumpy

9.3K views 4 replies 4 participants last post by  nataliejscott33  
#1 ·
Hi there,

I'm new here, so go easy on me! I'm hoping the experts here can help diagnose a problem.

I have a 2009 Renault Clio Expression Vvt Auto (1.6l). Petrol, and roughly 30k miles on the clock. I'm having issues with a flashing engine light and the car juddering and feeling like it is in limp mode. It's developed in the past 2 months, randomly.

From a cold start, the car is fine. For the first 30 minutes of running, there are no issues. After everything has heated up and it's done a few miles, at idle and low speeds (like slowing down for lights and pulling away) the car can judder, with inconsistent revs. Acceleration is lumpy. Most of the time, the engine management light then flashes on, and stays flashing. When this happens, the car is low power and feels like it is running in limp mode. I often pull over, turn the engine off and back on, but this doesn't get rid of the issue.

When I drive, I occasionally smell petrol or an eggy smell (but I am not sure if I am imagining this). Fuel economy is still OK (roughly 38 mpg).

I've been to two garages for diagnostics. Both said the fault code is '276 Misfire on cylinder 1 destructive misfiring stored'.
  • New coil pack - did not solve the issue
  • New spark plugs - did not solve the issue
One of the garages is a specialist French car garage and have been really good about it - not charging me for labour or diagnostics, and committed to trying to find the problem. I'm taking the car there again on Monday.

I've read a few separate posts on here and other forums. Anyone able to speak from experience what it might be? I understand it could be anything fuel related, but common issues are:
  • Lambda / oxygen sensors
  • Fuel injectors
  • TDC sensor
Any help is appreciated! The car is E10 compatible, but part of me wonders if this has caused the problem (as I see other owners have said running super unleaded sorts the problem)?

Thanks!
 
#2 ·
Hello
As you say, it could be one of a number of things. Do you have a code reader? What code is showing now (or when it happens)?
We have the same car, although older & higher mileage, and had a misfire code, a coil pack solved it. But you have to get the right one! The cylinders are numbered backwards on this engine, so number 1 is the gearbox end - is that the one you replaced?
 
#3 ·
Thanks for taking the time to reply! I'm glad you got yours sorted OK with a coil pack.

I had all 4 changed as I know once one goes, the others can follow. So we've ruled that out as the immediate issue as they're all new.

Unfortunately I don't have a code reader. Going to ask the garage on Monday for the exact fault codes when they check again for the latest stored errors. The first few times it was just '276 Misfire on cylinder 1 destructive misfiring stored'. It seems it's been that ever since. Hoping it is injector related, or lambda?
 
#4 ·
That'll be from a knock sensor.
Plugs and coils as said and changed.
Power feed to coil?
Injector (unusual for petrol IMO) or connections to injector?
Poor compression to that cylinder?

Can't see it being Lambda, that would not focus on one cylinder only.
Don't know what diagnostics they are using but live data may give more clues then generic code.