UR R26R.5, VW Golf R
Excuse the long read, but I can't really summise it any better.
My 35k mile RB182 has been tapping ever since I went over a speed bump several months ago (I still think it dislodged a tappet or did something to create the problem). It split the centre section of the exhaust from the cat in the process. After several semi-successful oil changes and engine treatments, the tapping quietened down but ultimately it always came back. I took it to my local independent and he said he was 95% sure it was the tappets. I took it to Renault who had the car a day and they said it definitely was, and gave me a healthy four-digit quote to replace them. No, no. I left the car in this state for several months (although it was annoying the f*ck out of me) before eventually deciding to bite the bullet and pay for the replacement parts and labour at my local garage (former Renault mechanic) - that was tappets, belts, dephaser pulley and all the necessary ancillaries.
Act I - Chapter II
When the mechanic stripped it down he noticed that the cylinder head was slightly worn, possibly caused by the tappets being left and oil seeping through. He said he could put it all back together with the new tappets etc. but there was always the chance it may not be right, therefore it would be much wiser (and certainly more expensive) getting a new cylinder head and cams at this stage as the car was already in a state to build up from that point, saving me the same labour costs over again. So, 2 weeks later my new cylinder head complete with cams and all the parts arrived from Renault France courtesy of the exchange option offered by KTEC (Renault were quoting £1700 for the head alone whereas the genuine item via KTEC came with all the parts for £850. From Renault! Unbelievable).
So, head on, tappets sorted, belts done, quiet car. While it was in, I also had my spacers fitted as well as an RS192 exhaust system including decat.
Act I - Chapter III
I picked the car up on Friday evening. Idling was a little lumpy but no big problem, as I put it down to the new decat system.
On Saturday I fitted my V6 airbox. Pretty simple, straightforward swap. I started the car up and gave it a few revs. Sounded well enough. Didn't bother taking it out as it was late.
Got up on sunday morning and went out to start car. It started but then cut out immediately. I started it up again and this time no problem, idling away.
This morning I set off for work and got about 2 miles into the journey and approaching a roundabout, I slowed down to turn right and the car just cut out on me. STOP light came on. I came to a halt and then started it up again. The petrol light came on which was a little odd as I seemed to recall there being enough fuel as to not trigger the light prior to it coming on. Anyway, I pulled into the petrol station near to where I work and filled up.
While in work, I had to nip out for an hour so decided I would take the car back to the garage to see what he thought. Killing two birds with one stone, I went home first to uploaded my new calibration map for my RSTuner (just the 98RON map). On parking up at home, on full left lock, the car cut out again just as I was parking up. Still, uploaded the map which was fine, but when I started the car up again it was idling at around 750 and sounding like it was wanting to cut out. I've heard the map reduces the idling speed so that coupled with my pretty lumpy car was obviously combining. The RSTuner also brought up an ABS fault code for the first time but said I needed a module to rectify it. I set off and the SERV light was on as well as the ABS traction light. I slowed and braked which created a crunching sound as if my brakes were f*cked, but then it disappeared and the lights went out :S
Act 1 - Chapter IV
Set off for the garage and now the car was cutting out whenever I came to a halt. Whilst driving the car was fine - and as an aside the new map was certainly evident, much more revvy and very smooth drive. It was just when I came to slow down and the revs dropped below 1k, it struggled keeping it constant and as such it couldn't prevent the car from stalling.
So now it's at the garage. I've read a few threads on likely culprits and TBH there's just too many. Airbox not connected up properly, timing, plugs, leads, injectors, air leaks, IDV, coil pack, TDC sensor, throttle body, lambda sensors, ABS brake sensors. My mate said they'd sort it out and it shouldn't be too much of a problem, but that was without looking at the car. Ultimately, it's a Renault.
Any ideas, guys, or similar problems you've had? I realise it'll be rectified eventually, but I'm still keen to hear of any advice.
My 35k mile RB182 has been tapping ever since I went over a speed bump several months ago (I still think it dislodged a tappet or did something to create the problem). It split the centre section of the exhaust from the cat in the process. After several semi-successful oil changes and engine treatments, the tapping quietened down but ultimately it always came back. I took it to my local independent and he said he was 95% sure it was the tappets. I took it to Renault who had the car a day and they said it definitely was, and gave me a healthy four-digit quote to replace them. No, no. I left the car in this state for several months (although it was annoying the f*ck out of me) before eventually deciding to bite the bullet and pay for the replacement parts and labour at my local garage (former Renault mechanic) - that was tappets, belts, dephaser pulley and all the necessary ancillaries.
Act I - Chapter II
When the mechanic stripped it down he noticed that the cylinder head was slightly worn, possibly caused by the tappets being left and oil seeping through. He said he could put it all back together with the new tappets etc. but there was always the chance it may not be right, therefore it would be much wiser (and certainly more expensive) getting a new cylinder head and cams at this stage as the car was already in a state to build up from that point, saving me the same labour costs over again. So, 2 weeks later my new cylinder head complete with cams and all the parts arrived from Renault France courtesy of the exchange option offered by KTEC (Renault were quoting £1700 for the head alone whereas the genuine item via KTEC came with all the parts for £850. From Renault! Unbelievable).
So, head on, tappets sorted, belts done, quiet car. While it was in, I also had my spacers fitted as well as an RS192 exhaust system including decat.
Act I - Chapter III
I picked the car up on Friday evening. Idling was a little lumpy but no big problem, as I put it down to the new decat system.
On Saturday I fitted my V6 airbox. Pretty simple, straightforward swap. I started the car up and gave it a few revs. Sounded well enough. Didn't bother taking it out as it was late.
Got up on sunday morning and went out to start car. It started but then cut out immediately. I started it up again and this time no problem, idling away.
This morning I set off for work and got about 2 miles into the journey and approaching a roundabout, I slowed down to turn right and the car just cut out on me. STOP light came on. I came to a halt and then started it up again. The petrol light came on which was a little odd as I seemed to recall there being enough fuel as to not trigger the light prior to it coming on. Anyway, I pulled into the petrol station near to where I work and filled up.
While in work, I had to nip out for an hour so decided I would take the car back to the garage to see what he thought. Killing two birds with one stone, I went home first to uploaded my new calibration map for my RSTuner (just the 98RON map). On parking up at home, on full left lock, the car cut out again just as I was parking up. Still, uploaded the map which was fine, but when I started the car up again it was idling at around 750 and sounding like it was wanting to cut out. I've heard the map reduces the idling speed so that coupled with my pretty lumpy car was obviously combining. The RSTuner also brought up an ABS fault code for the first time but said I needed a module to rectify it. I set off and the SERV light was on as well as the ABS traction light. I slowed and braked which created a crunching sound as if my brakes were f*cked, but then it disappeared and the lights went out :S
Act 1 - Chapter IV
Set off for the garage and now the car was cutting out whenever I came to a halt. Whilst driving the car was fine - and as an aside the new map was certainly evident, much more revvy and very smooth drive. It was just when I came to slow down and the revs dropped below 1k, it struggled keeping it constant and as such it couldn't prevent the car from stalling.
So now it's at the garage. I've read a few threads on likely culprits and TBH there's just too many. Airbox not connected up properly, timing, plugs, leads, injectors, air leaks, IDV, coil pack, TDC sensor, throttle body, lambda sensors, ABS brake sensors. My mate said they'd sort it out and it shouldn't be too much of a problem, but that was without looking at the car. Ultimately, it's a Renault.
Any ideas, guys, or similar problems you've had? I realise it'll be rectified eventually, but I'm still keen to hear of any advice.
