Exhaust/Idle Advice

[photonbucket]

I have just test driven a clio 172 (W Reg) and two things worried me. First off, the exhaust was very rattley. It sounded like it was banging/knocking against something when I went round corners or over bumps. Secondly, at idle the car seemed to be backfiring slightly but this dissappeared once any throttle was applied. Having never driven one of these before, I am not sure if these are genuine problems. Thanks,Chris

 

[172 Dave]

if the rattle was aound 4k its the exhaust possibly shot. Or an exhaust mount gone, mines the same car and ticks over v v sweetly.

 

[photonbucket]

I should imagine that it is the exhaust mount that is banging. I don't think that the banging bore any relation to the revs. Is an exhaust mount a big expense?

 

[172 Dave]

no not overlly, replaced rear one on mine think its about £15, the ones forward of it are cheaper iirc.

 

[photonbucket]

Thank you very much Dave. That is that worry gone (hopefully!). I have looked through the parkers guides and a lot of people are saying that their cars are rough at idle. I had driven this car about 3 miles and got up to about 85mph. (But it was started from cold - but that took 2 attempts).Despite this the exhaust still chugged! Any suggestions?

 

[172 Dave]

they all 'hunt' a bit when cold and sound a tad rough, esp the Phase Ones, once its warm mine idles rock steady and has never failed to start regardless of temp or weather or angle parked.......any warning lights on dash when running?

 

[photonbucket]

No none that I noticed to be honest. The engine sounded fine, but with a whining sound as you stoked up the revs. I think it is supposed to be like that. Is 3-4 mins time enough for the engine to warm enough to stop the rough idle? If it is idling strangely when warm, are there any common problems? Thanks Dave, its obviously a lot of money to hand over so I appreciate the help. Thanks, Chris

 

[Leeds_VTO]

My exaust rattles alittle when i rev it and its a little cold)its a magnex back cat i think its the middle section against the heat sheild nowt i can do though because it hasent got a bracket (not a 172)

 

[photonbucket]

This was more of a bang than a rattle. The exhaust looks in good nick but it is an original one. Car has done 72k

 

[photonbucket]

Just one more thing; the steering wheel was in an awful state. The guy said it would cost about £50 to buy a new one. Is that crap?

 

[Blue4Ever]

Your best bet would be to get a full s/s aftermarket exhaust tbh, the OEM exhausts aren't too great and you hear about them falling off with no warning! The steering wheels are the same to be honest, known for poor condition, couldn't say how much a new one from Renault would be but I'd of guessed more than £50, there's one on ebay now but thats not in great nick either.

 

[photonbucket]

Thanks, what about a simple retrim?

 

[Blue4Ever]

No idea to be honest, could be costly? Probably best looking for one from a scrappy or keep asking on the wanted section on here and checking ebay.

By the way, for the exhaust, if you are near-ish to cardiff, Then pro speed come highly recommended by many on here. You wouldn't go wrong with a full system from there. Lifetime guarrentee aswel.