Lumpy idle - Variator (dephaser) at fault???

[ducman]

hi guys - my 182 runs rubbish at tick over very lumpy and juddery.

A local renault trained mechanic who is big into RS cars and drives a 172 himself reckons its's the variator (or dephaser) pulley that's causing the problem.

He seems like a very nice knowledgable guy. Just wanted to check if that sounds sensible to anyone on here. The car has new plugs, recent enough coil pack and the leads seem ok.

Any thoughts/advice much appreciated,
Cheers
Dave

 

[woolford172]

What does the noise sound like and does it go when you rev the car ?

 

[ducman]

Because I don't know the car so well (only had it a few days now) it's hard to say exactly. Sounds noisy up top in the belt area - not tappetty - whirring kind of sound.

The tacho needle is rock solid at 900 rpm but the engine visibly rocks and shudders at idle. Once above 1,500 rpm the engine seems rock solid, although the mechanic felt it wasn't picking up as quickly as it should through 1,500 to 4,000rpm - he said replacing the dephaser would help this also??

Have noticed the exhaust is very black and sooty and the back of the car has black soot dots all over. The mechanic feels that it's the poor running at idle (ie running rich) at tick over secondry to the dephaser issue that's responsible for that. Would really appreciate any input advice on this lads.
Cheers
dave

 

[ducman]

Any thoughts lads? It's am expensive job to get done - would love any advice on whether guys on here think it might be the pulley or should I be thinking of anything else?? Cheers
dave

 

[lau2908]

im currently having the same problem with mine, sounds like a bearing kind of noise mine does, ive spoke to the guys at NWP an taking it up to see them in the morning, they think by the sounds of it its the dephaser pulley, will update tomorrow when i know more

 

[Dangerous_dave]

sure its not engine mounts? check the engine for movement play esp forward and backwards (dog mount bush at bottom back is often a culprit of what 'feels' like a s**t idle but the dash needle is solid not bouncing around etc.


Take it to a specialist

 

[ducman]

Thanks a million guys - i appreciate the responses no end.

The needle is absolutely rock solid at circa 900 RPM which has me wondering if the idle is the culprit at all??

Had her up on the ramps last night - checked 3 of the 4 mounts - Dogbone seems ok - upper drivers side mount seems ok - large lower passenger side mount seems ok -only one we didnt get to was the upper gearbox (below the Battery?) as we didnt have time.

Could this be the culprit on its own? Gonna try and whip out the battery and tray this evening and have a look.

There was some degree of play in all the mounts but the mechanic with me thought that generally they were ok - no rips/tear etc

How ropey do the need to be before they give trouble - i.e. if they look ok and feel ok under the crowbar can they still be fooked??

I'd love to take it to a specialist dangerous dave but unfortunately i'm in Dublin Ireland. no one has a clue about these cars over here - there's only a handfull of them here at all. It's a pain!

I actually bought mine in Northern Ireland cos there wasnt even 1 for sale in the south! (well actually there was a Trophy for sale but my pockets weren't deep enough)

Sorry for the long reply - many thanks in advance for any replies.
Cheers
Dave

 

[ducman]

I look forward to the outcome of ur trip tomorrow Lau2908 - hope its good news for u!
Cheers
Dave

 

[Dunn]

doesnt sound like the dephaser to be honest
mine needs the dephaser doing but it doesnt idle lumpy at all
just sounds like a tractor once warm

 

[sideways danny]

highly doubt it's dephaser, could be the cam timing is out though.
they do idle a bit rough really. If there's a fault at all it's probably lambda

 

[ferrett]

dave 3 of mine all had lumpy idles , it wont cut out just gives a wee hicup every now and again i pressumed it was a trait of the engine as alot of people on here said they experience the same .... the runs as it should dephaser pully is fine also (fact) car has a very slight tappet noise which explains the higher up noise .. dont go rushing into anything ... as said ive had them with 20k 30k 40k and 80k and it ran exactly thre same as the rest of them ...didnt bother me at all

hope this helps dave

nigel

 

[ducman]

That's great guys thanks a mill - not convinced it's the dephaser pulley myself. Gonna keep at it to see if i can get her running a bit smoother but overall the car is smashing.

Had it up on the ramps last night and it's all very original and straight underneath. Bushes all good etc.

I bought the car of ferrett (nigel) on here and i cant say enough good things about him - u couldn't find a more decent bloke. Gave me the exact and honest history on the car. You wouldn't believe how immaculate he had the car for me when i went to pick it up. Never seen a car that well presented for a new owner. Plenty of petrol in her - all fluid/oil levels etc. brimmed up - absolutely class.

 

[ducman]

Sorry meant to mention - had the battery out this evening to look at the 4th (gearbox top) mount - it also seems perfect. looked again at the gearbox lower mount (the big huge chunky one) - its pretty squished looking, and its deffinately been there longer than the others (which all basically look new) - i wonder could it be the culprit....

 

[ferrett]

gearbox mounts are a common flaw dave worth the changing , not sure this will cure the idle as i said i had one with 20k car was like new and even it had a lumpy idle ffs ... just enjoy the good things in the car you will enjoy it more that way

 

[lau2908]

just to let you know i went down to NWP today an turns out it was indeed the dephaser pulley, got it changed in no time, lads were great sounds 10 x better now !

 

[H182]

Isn't lumpy idle normal on 1*2's? Unless its excessive. Mine does it now and again and many others have said the same.

 

[sussex_gti]

Yes, mine runs lumpy, but as far as i'm aware i'm still on the original plugs. Its even mentioned in the PPC buyers guide from last month.

 

[ferrett]

this car had a new set of plugs as did the rest of my 182,s little to no difference tbh ... i just learnt to live with it ....stop thinkin of the negatives dave its french it will never be 100% perfect but thats why i love them

 

[ducman]

Think you're spot on there nigel. Just been driving it now the last day or 2 without thinking too much about it and it's been brilliant. Think i just needed to get back into the french vibe and drive the bloody thing

I can already see how u cant bear to be seperated from these cars. it's weird - not even had it a week and it's getting right under my skin.

Just like the 205 did 12 years ago!! Don't know what those french lads do but the car is positively bursting with character.

let me know how u get on over the weekend with ur trip.

@Lau - very pleased things went well for u - top result:approve:.

Cheers
Dave

 

[frenchy4242]

Think you're spot on there nigel. Just been driving it now the last day or 2 without thinking too much about it and it's been brilliant. Think i just needed to get back into the french vibe and drive the bloody thing

I can already see how u cant bear to be seperated from these cars. it's weird - not even had it a week and it's getting right under my skin.

I was the same as you worrying about every odd noise after i changed to a 182 from an old 1.8 306. got loads of stuff changed and checked etc in the first few weeks. After a while i got fed up of worrying and started enjoying it - even with the lumpy idle and squeeks and rattles lol.

 

[James.f]

you should see mine, idle's very lumpy, you see the rev needled jumping up and down, yet its had everything new even depshaser + cambelt kit, i just live with it

 

[ducman]

Sound lads - really appreciate the replies - You're all putting my mind at ease no end!! Drove for 4 hrs last night - what a car - unreal!! My other car is a lotus Elise - the 182 is easily as good a front driver as the Elise is a rear driver - absolutely made up with this car - very glad I bought it - and very lucky to meet such a top bloke as nigel to sell it to me!!

Cheers guys
Dave