West Mids Rolling Road - Saturday 9th of June

[DaveDreads]

I've found the coolant leak but I can't get a decent photo of it,
if you're looking at the front of the car, the hose on the left of the radiator that connects vertically at the bottom is weeping fluid.

I've tried to look for a photo of the front of a 1*2 with it's bumper off, but I can't find one that shows the hose.

It's going to be a bumper off job just to replace a hose that costs a couple of quid.

 

[Flat Eric]

Gutted mate. It doesn't take too long to get the bumper off though does it? Well it didn't on my 1.2. Least you've got plenty of room once it's off.

 

[DaveDreads]

The thing is I have no clue how to take the bumper off, or how I would go about sorting the leak out,
I have zero mechanical knowledge and I can't run the risk of going at it blind and f*cking it all up through lack of knowledge.

I'm going to have to get it booked in at a garage and spend more money.

 

[gti6steve]

Could just need a new clip on the hose try and get a photo of it.

 

[Flat Eric]

There's a guide on here for bumper removal. Few screws in arches and underneath then you pull from one side round to the other. It's simple. Honest.

 

[DaveDreads]

It's quite hard to get a decent photo of it, I had trouble getting it in focus,
but hopefully some of you may know which hose it is.

I don't think it's ever had a clip on it, or even if it's meant to,
bottom left of the rad.

 

[MartinR]

Dave if i wasn't busy this weekend i would have sorted it for you!! your radiator doesn't look to healthy it may be that leaking??

Borrowed

Removal
remove engine undertray 4 bolts.
remove wheel arch liners on both sides this is picture of inside wheel arch on left side of car.



Remove the 2 large round plastic fasteners by prising them off with the large flat bladed screwdriver just be brutal with it or you'll get nowhere lol!
You can see 1 torx screw in this picture which needs to be removed as well. Remove 2 torx screws from underneath as seen below.



Also un-clip this part of the inner wheel arch from this brace.



You should be looking at this if you removed it successfully.






Remove 2 plastic screws which hold the grill to the slam panel.


To remove the bumper pull back part of the inner wheel arch which is left and you will see 2 bolts on each side of the car.





Remove the 4 bolts in total.


Working at the left wheel arch disconnect the headlight washer tubing [2 rubber pipes], and disconnect the main wiring to the front fog lights from here just a plastic electrical connector.
There is nothing to hold the front bumper on apart from where it clips on each side.



There are 4 slots on each side of the bumper. Pull the bumper free from one side at a time, I managed to remove the bumper from the car myself but I'd suggesting just to concentrate on one side at a time before moving round to the other side. Release it from the retaining clips by pulling on the bumper. Place bumper out the way.

 

[Cerrone]

Dave were abouts r u?!

 

[Don]

Dave were abouts r u?!

He's Leamington/Cov way iirc

 

[DaveDreads]

I'm in Coventry lads, about a mile or two from the M6/M69,
and about a mile or two away from the M6 Ricoh Arena.

As far as I can tell it's only leaking from a rubber pipe, it might just need any split at the bottom cutting off then refitting.

I've never taken the bumper off, but i've read Fubars guide and looking at the above guide it doesn't look too hard.

I'd like to try doing it myself or with a little help if anyone's about, i've spent a few hundred quid on the car in the last month,
so if possible i'd like to save some money as I just got my insurance renewal though today,
so within the next month that's another £450 i'll have to spend.

I'm really starting to not like my car atm.

 

[MartinR]

its very easy to get the bumper off.but would advise you to get some new type-d coolant from renault its only circa £12. so if the pipe does need to come off no need to worry about catching the old stuff.

Remember to bleed the system too.... remove the airbox and follow the top rad hose back to the thermostat housing there is a 10mm bolt on the side of the housing below the upper pipe

In the pics below its the upper most bolt

 

[DaveDreads]

Sh*t this is getting too complicated for someone with sod all mechanical knowledge like me.

I take it I have to bleed the system so that when I fill it back up with coolant there's no air in it,
also what do I need to do with that top bolt, take it off or just loosen it
and how do I know when the system's been bled properly?

 

[MartinR]

once the leak is fixed.... open bleed screw top the coolant up untill it comes out. then close the bleed screw and top the header tank up to the max line and run the car at fast idle 2000rpm for a few mins then undo that bleed screw to let the air out once coolant runs out with no air in it that is bled. personally i leave it running till the fan kicks in then check for air again by opening the bleed screw.

Don't burn yourself

 

[DaveDreads]

You make it sound so easy. lol

I'm working all weekend but i'm off Monday so i'll have a go a sorting it then, i've got a 5litre bottle of coolant in the car
as i've been topping it up more and more over the last week, as the header tank always seems to be below minimum.

I'll go to Renault and get some more just in case.

 

[MartinR]

Keep a very close eye on that coolant level Dave as it can cause alot of expensive problems if it runs very low or dry..

I can't promise anything but if i am about monday/ tuesday and you get stuck i shall sort it for you if you can get the car to me in dudley? but can't promise at the moment due to decorating a relatives house

 

[DaveDreads]

It's not a massive leak, i've only seen a small puddle under the rad twice in the last week.

If all else fails can I pour water in the header tank to make what coolant I have go further until Monday?

 

[MartinR]

Yes thats fine as long as its not left in long term, use water as a get out of s**t card

 

[DaveDreads]

Ok, if it gets worse and I run out of coolant before Monday i'll bung some water in it.

I just hope I can sort the leak out on Monday, otherwise they might not let me run the car at the rr day
it's it's pissing fluids everywhere.

 

[Cerrone]

If I'm finish fitting a new boiler for my mate Dave I can lend a hand Tuesday but again I cnt promise!!

 

[DaveDreads]

Cheers for the offer mate.
I'll more than likely be working Tuesday, I don't normally get home until 6:30pm.

I'm going to have a go at taking the bumper off on Monday,
i'll have a good look round the rad to see if I can confirm if it's just a split at the bottom of that pipe.

If I can cut the split off and re-attach it then it'll save me alot of money and hassle,
then all i'll need to do is refill with coolant and bleed the system.

I just hope it's as easy as everyone's making out, if it's just nuts and bolts there should be no reason why I can't sort it myself.

 

[bmh.01]

There aren't any hoses on the lefthand side of a 1*2 rad so unfortunately thats probably the rad leaking, I can have a look at it for you if you like? Not far away.

 

[DaveDreads]

If you could mate that would be great, are you about on Monday?

 

[bmh.01]

Working till about 2 then should be.

 

[DaveDreads]

Nice one, i'd really appreciate so help and advice from someone that knows what to look for,
do you wan't me to come to you if you've got the space at yours to take the bumper off?

If not i've got a driveway with plenty of space if you want to come to mine?

I don't mind either way, what ever's easiest for you mate.

 

[Renault Wolverhampton]

ben is the guru of self fix

 

[DaveDreads]

Right i've just got to work in Stratford Upon Avon and there's steam pissing out the front of it,
i'm hoping it's just leaking fluid boiling off on the rad, there is a halfords here,
is there anything I can get that'll bodge fix it, and where the hell would I put it because as far as I can tell the rad's a sealed unit?

 

[DaveDreads]

Don't worry lads, i'm getting a new rad fitted on Tuesday at a local French car specialist,
it'll be brand new and it'll cost me £245 fitted and they're giving me a courtesy car so I can get to work Tues/Wed.

Hopefully it'll all be sorted for Saturdays RR day.

Pain in the f*cking arse to be honest, but the constant expansion and contraction of the rad is obviously making it worse as the days go on.

 

[Don]

Still got one place left if someone knows someone who wants to run. I personally might not run the 182 as I've done nothing of any note since the last one.

Let me know if you can think of anyone...just incase.

Cheers
Don

 

[MartinR]

Still got one place left if someone knows someone who wants to run. I personally might not run the 182 as I've done nothing of any note since the last one.

Let me know if you can think of anyone...just incase.

Cheers
Don

What??? You fixed the inlet manifold leak didn't you? get your true figure

 

[Don]

What??? You fixed the inlet manifold leak didn't you? get your true figure

I did...but still undecided.

I don't want to be let down!

 

[DaveDreads]

I take it they won't let me change my air filter between runs?

I'm using a cylindrical foam Pipercross filter in a V6 airbox,
i'm about to clean it so i've got a ph1 paper filter to go in it for a few days,
i'd be interested to see which one works better.

If i'm not completely skint after my new rad's replaced I may run twice to compare the two,
if there's a slot going unused by the end of the day that is.

Then again I may sit in the corner gently weeping and rocking backwards and forwards
at the amount of money the b*tch has cost me recently.

 

[Flat Eric]

These cars do cost some maintenance don't they. It's one thing after another isn't it. Ah well. They are great fun to drive

 

[Don]

I take it they won't let me change my air filter between runs?

I'm using a cylindrical foam Pipercross filter in a V6 airbox,
i'm about to clean it so i've got a ph1 paper filter to go in it for a few days,
i'd be interested to see which one works better.

If i'm not completely skint after my new rad's replaced I may run twice to compare the two,
if there's a slot going unused by the end of the day that is.

Then again I may sit in the corner gently weeping and rocking backwards and forwards
at the amount of money the b*tch has cost me recently.

I'm sure if you ask the lads they might let you as if you have an issue...you'd have to sort it between runs. Ask then, if they say no...then at least you've tried.

 

[DaveDreads]

I can switch the filter over in under a minute, it's a piece of piss,
I just don't want them thinking the CS lads are a pain in the arse.

I'll wing it on the day, if they seem in a good mood i'll ask,
if they seem like they just want to get through as many cars as they can in the most efficient way possible, i'll blank it.

 

[Don]

I can switch the filter over in under a minute, it's a piece of piss,
I just don't want them thinking the CS lads are a pain in the arse.

I'll wing it on the day, if they seem in a good mood i'll ask,
if they seem like they just want to get through as many cars as they can in the most efficient way possible, i'll blank it.

At the end of they day, we've given them 20+ runners...admittedly we're getting it for £30 per person which is a shitload less than we should be paying...but last time they had a customer in inbetween our runs...so they appreciated us being so accommodating. I'm sure I will be able to sort it for you...hopefully

 

[DaveDreads]

I just don't they won't say :
'what a great bunch of lads....apart from that tw*t with the dreadlocks, he was a right awkward cnut!!' lol

 

[Junior Bear]

People say that at every meet Dave

 

[DaveDreads]

GOOD!! My work here is done. :approve:

 

[Junior Bear]

Haha


Love you

 

[HANDSOME RICH]

Lol