Garage Reccomendation

[MikeF]

My car is in need of going into the garage for a diagnostic. It drives but it feels like im in 3rd gear all the time. Maybe coils or some other sensor.

Im not wanting to go near Arnold Clarke for the obvious reasons.

Can anyone recommend a garage near Falkirk/Glasgow that could do the work and would have the diagnostic kit?

All info appreciated

Mike

 

[TheCake]

Got a misfire mate? Press the gas down - doesn't really go - sounds a bit sickly?

Probably the common coil-pack fault. Its about £50 for a new one.

 

[MikeF]

Thats what other people have been telling me - seems a bit of a common fault with Clio owners in my office.

Am I best getting a diagnostic check run on it or is this a waste of money?

How easy is it to change the coil pack? Something I could do myself with relative ease (im no expert when it comes to cars but I can do the basics)

 

[TheCake]

Its pretty easy to be honest mike.

The coil pack is like an old distributor cap on older cars. In the 1.2 Clio you have 4 cylinders so you have 4 spark leads going into the coil pack and also a connector to the wiring loom.

As long as you take 1 spark plug off a time and put it on the new coil pack in the right place - yes they are numbered! - you'll be fine.

If in doubt I am sure your local Renault Dealer could fit it.

As with all parts, when you purchase it from the parts desk tell the guy you think this is whats wrong with the car and you'll bring it back if its not right. Its a common fault so they should have a few in stock.

Forgot to add, its held in place by 4 10mm nex-nut bolts from memory so a basic toolkit should surfice.

 

[MikeF]

I'll have a look tomorrow - I took the day off work to take my car to the garage so I might just spend the day trying to fix it myself.

Is renault the best bet for parts?

Also do I need to replace all 4 coils or just one or do they come in a "pack" of 4 anyway?

 

[TheCake]

Its a single block called a "coil pack". Its about 8cm x 6cm x 6cm. Its black, quite chunky. You shouldn't need to replace the HT leads or anything like that.

Yeah I'd go to Renault personally. I had 2 go on my Cup. Used to carry the tools in the car so could change one whilst I was in the car park.

 

[MikeF]

So if I bought the part from renault and fitted it and it turned out not to be the fault I could get a refund on the part?


Also how can I tell which one of the 4 I need to replace?

All info appreciated.

 

[TheCake]

Mike, its 4 in one. You replace the unit as a whole. If its the same style coil pack as the one on my cup its just a big plastic blob with a resin top.

I would confirm with the dealership if its not right you can return it, but in my experience its never been a problem

 

[Has]

the 1.2 16v Coil Pack has the HT leads built into them

£45 from Renault +VAT

Its the most common problem.

Held in by 2 screws
1 x connector block
and the trailing 4 x HT leads

 

[MikeF]

Ah ok - I have the 1.2 16V.

I was getting confused because a few people have told me that the coils are changed individually.

I take it the coil pack on the 1.2 16V is not any harder to change than the on the cup?

Cheers for all the advice guys - I might have a look at it tonight.

Mike

 

[Has]

Oh they probably wont let you return it.

So i would try and make sure its deff the fault.

Reno do charge stupid amount to do a Diagnostics Test anyways!!

Most likely its going to be the coil pack tho..

 

[MikeF]

Are there any tests I could do to determine if it is the coils.

The car didnt feel right when driving it before the fault happened and the fault does seem to be intermittent - it worked for about 100 meters again after it happened the first time.

Also the emmisisons light on the rev counter is flashing conatantly now but it did stop brielfy when the fault cured itself for a minute or so.

Does this sound like the coils or at least a reasonable enough chance to risk spending the money on the part.

All help much appreciated.

 

[Has]

Sounds like you need to get it in for Diagnostics !!

Has the vehicle been serviced recently?

Spark Plugs
Coil Pack

and possibly a Oxygen Sensor cud be at fault.

 

[MikeF]

The vehicle has just had its 72K service - filters changed, oil changed - sparkplugs were ok so I havent bothered with them yet.

I also got the timing belt changed about a month ago - I was reading that if this wasnt tensioned correctly this could lead to problems - is this possible?

 

[Has]

Ok, hope there not the origional spark plugs tho?

I wud suggest changing the Coil Pack regardless


Was the car runnign ok pre-timing belt change?
If so i would take car back to who did the belt !!

 

[MikeF]

Plugs were changed about 40000K.

Car was perfect before the belt change.

Problem is belt was done by renault so if the fault is not related to that i'd be liable for the £50+ for the diagnostic.

 

[Has]

Yes id say you may well be left with a charge from them.....

I wud deff change the plugs tho.
AND the Coil pack.

Possibly speak to them and see if they can give it a quick check....? As it was running fine pre-belt change

 

[MikeF]

Ill change the coil and the plugs tomorrow and then if there is still a problem I'll tke it in - If it's anything beyond that id be stumped anyway so i'd need them to look at it.

Cheers for the advice - I'll let you know how I get on.

 

[MikeF]

Just bought the coil pack and new plugs - i'll give it a bash tomorrow.

Anyone got any experience of changing a coil pack on a D4F engine?

Any hints or tips appreciated.

 

[Has]

Nothing hard mate.

- Whip off Engine Cover
- Unplug HT leads*
- Unplug block connector on Coil Pack
- Unscrew
- Pop new one in place
- Screw
- Connect connector block
- Place HT lead back in
- Replace Engine Cover

Job Done

*Be carefull when removing HT leads as the rubber inserts sometimes stay "stuck" onto plug tops