Misfiring/stuttering on idle - Clio 16v

[Ben H]

Ive had this problem for a while now. For a few minutes on start up the engine splutters and coughs.

You can often feel at the tail pipe that theres pressure, then none, then pressure, then none and so on until it settles down. Im not sure if its misfiring as such, but its failry violent as the engine sometimes rocks back and forth on the mounts.

The engine never stalls, but often falls to about 500rpm before bouncing back up the revs to over 100rpm and then falls again.

Ive got a PBV and an adjustable chip fitted, so am probably going to take it to be sorted at a rolling road - but wanted to ask in case this sounds like something else.

Cheers

 

[gaj16v]

It could be the cold idle sensor on the bottom of the engine?? Had to get mine changed, but mine wouldnt start at all. When it did, even when i put my foot on the accelerator, nothing would happen and the car would cut out. When it did start, the idling was quite "violent", so perhaps your problem could be similar to mine!!
Good luck

 

[Ben H]

Cold idle sensor? Cant find that in the Haynes manual!

 

[steve a]

Idle control valve?, can sometimes be the coolant sensor. Also check pluggs leads dizzy cap etc.

 

[Ben H]

Have brand new plugs in there and Im replacing all other ignition components soon. I dont think thats going to improve matters though somehow!

 

[woots]

Had something similar revs would drop to 500 and rise again and sometimes stall. Once turning right into a junction which was scary. Replaced leads, dizzy cap, rotor arm, plugs and has been good so far fingers crossed. Mine did it when warm though. Idle control valve is £94 from G,S&F so hope it isnt that.

 

[Leigh]

Yer mine was doing the same thing dropping to 500 rpm at traffic lights and such like.

The idle control valve was sticking !! A little bit of tinkering got loose but in the end it needed replacing and that was what was needed. £80 and it was a doddle to fit !!

sounds like yours is the same !! Sorry !!

 

[gaj16v]

My fault!! It was the cold start injector that caused the problem on mine. This is on page 4.25 in my Haynes manual, under fuel and exhaust systems. Basically it doesnt put enough petrol in the engine, so the car sounds terrible.
I got the part from Renault, and fitted at my local Lex Autocentre for £42, it just a case of getting the car up on ramps, and swapping it over (surprisingly easy to do in the crampped bay!!)

 

[Ben H]

So where in the engine bay is this idle control valve? Is it the red thingy on the throttle body next to the airbox/induction kit? Was that £80 from Renault? Does it need to be set up with specialist equipment/knowledge?

Cheers

 

[gaj16v]

Im sure that the idle control valve is the red "plug like thingy" on the throttle body that you can see as soon as you open the bonnet (just behind the airbox). I could be wrong, but i think that this needs to be set up by Renault!! (see page 4.18 in the Haynes manual, the fault finding bit!!)

 

[Leigh]

No you just fit it !! No set up required!! Its the T shape bit just in front of the rad and near the airbox. yes it was £80 from Renault.

 

[gaj16v]

My mistake, think im thinking of the potentionmeter, which im sure needs some "assistance" from Renault.

 

[Ben H]

Cheers guys. Have just read the Haynes Book of Revelations and according to Haynes 4:18 I can check it by pinching one of the air feed pipes. Am going to do that now.

Amen!

 

[gaj16v]

Good luck, the pipe is hard to say the least (thats from experience!!)

 

[Ben H]

Right. Have just been out to the car and started it up. As per haynes, I tested the ISCV by pinching the air pipe on the inlet side and all seemed fine (i.e. it messed up the idle speed). Hmmm... this could be a case for Sherlock Holmes.

 

[Tom_16v]

Ive got the same sounding problem on my valver too, Ive replaced the Coolent Temp. Sensor & cleaned the ISCV but has made no difference

 

[lofty]

lumpy cams, just drive it hard

 

[Ben H]

Yes sir!!

 

[Matbrown]

Good call Lofty,

Ben,

Does it go away once warmed up?

If so, dont let it get cold!!!



Mat.

 

[Ben H]

Its fine once its warm - no problems at all. However, it does usually happen after the car has cooled down, then been started again (like use it in the morning, turn it off, then use it again later).

 

[Leigh]

Ah give it a nice warm heated blanket to keep it warm at night and tuck it and read it a bedtime story. I find that always brings out the best !!

 

[EvilPanda]

hi guys , i got similar problem with my 1.2 16 v clio mk2 face lift. it starts fine, when the engine is cold drives nice, but just got wormed up, rpm go down to 500-600 rpm and if u would like to start move in 1st gear, it fells like the engine engine will stall, when changing the gears from second to 3rd fells like no power for a second and then again everything ok. had glow pug light on for 15min, but now its off.
is there actually same idle control valve causing this problem to me ?
regards,
EvilPanda
P.S sorry for grammar

 

[MicKPM]

Re: Archived Post from old forum

You've brought 2003 back to life!

Honestly, I'd suggest starting yourself a new thread asking for help with this issue.

Mick