non starting megane

russian · Unread post by **russian** » 10 May 2008, 18:59

hi my first post, thanks for help in advance.

Got a V Reg Megane RT Sport, on my way home from work the car made a little judder from engine then died, it wouldnt restart with key so i bumped it while it was still moving, it started up for a few seconds then cut-out. towed rest of way home and started looking around forums for possible causes and fixes, tried tdc and lambda sensors, fuel pump is ok. still wouldnt start, father in law a mechanic but he was going on holiday day after (just my luck) and didnt want to start messing with it, suggested i take plugs out and see if they sparking, which i did and they are. a friend of mine came and had a look and he take oil filler cap off and asked me to turn engine over, which resulted in no movement at the top of the engine which he said was the timing belt which has gone

. the car has just done 93k and there is a sticker on timing belt case saying it was changed at 62k(some friends said that it was a bit early to change at 62k). is this the case and if so how hard is it to change? do i need to take engine out? or is it possible to change with it in? the car will now be stood until weekend when father in law comes back off holiday, when we will attempt to change belt, what are the settings i need to use also when i install new belt as i have no workshop manual? also is there any way to tell if there is damage to valves etc before i change belt?

thanks again for your help in advance, hope i get it sorted as i really like the car.

ps: sorry if i went a bit too indepth with description, just wanted to give as much as i could

np · Unread post by np » 10 May 2008, 22:00

Hi there & welcome to the forum.Having no experience with Renault petrols,i can confirm that when a cam belt snaps on the diesels,a new head or valves at least will be needed.
If the cam belt has snapped,when turning the engine on the starter,it should spin quicker as theres no resistance from the top of the engine,& your camshaft/shafts would`nt be spinning.Unless yours is a "safe" engine,its very likely that some valves would have been bent/broken by the pistons.The only way to know for sure is to remove the head.
In my opinion,you can never change a belt too early.It may have only done 30k miles since it was changed,but age is just as important with belts.IE,if the belt change is every 72k miles,but the car only does say 5k miles a year,you shold change it every 25k miles or 5 years,if you see what i mean.The belt will degrade with time.

russian · Unread post by **russian** » 11 May 2008, 00:02

what you mean .."safe" engine?

np · Unread post by np » 11 May 2008, 00:42

Some engines(on many makes)are known as safe engines,in that if the cam belt breaks there is no contact between the valves & the piston tops.So in that case it would be just a change of belt.But most will have some contact so there would be some damage.I`ve changed a few heads before,as its usally quicker & cheaper to get a 2nd hand head.All had some marks/indentations on the piston,but just needed a new head/valves.

russian · Unread post by **russian** » 12 May 2008, 18:03

no renault owners with any tips etc

russian · Unread post by **russian** » 13 May 2008, 17:45

how do i find out what model my engine is, please, need to find out before weekend as i will be doing timing belt then.

thanks dave

russian · Unread post by **russian** » 17 May 2008, 19:14

slow progress, but got the rocker cover off today, and my father in law says that the valves seem to be sat at the same level, indicating they ok, but we will have a very close look tomorrow, taking cams and followers off and having good look at valves.

the timing belt has not snapped, but it looks like it is the tensioner thats broke, again a closer look tomorrow will reveal all.

Plumb bob · Unread post by **Plumb bob** » 18 May 2008, 22:14

Renault had ( have) a problem with their cam belt tensioners, the sent us a safety recall ( without actually saying what it was for) on our Y reg cleo, so we booked it into the garage who couldn't do the job for two weeks, but assured us there was no problem, and the car was ok to drive.
The day before it was due to go in to have the "safety check" the cam belt came off on the motorway at about 70 MPH.
Needless to say, Renault ended up having to put a new engine in the car as it was still in warranty ( only 3 days left) but it came to light that Renault UK were and are aware of this problem, and it happens on all of their post 2000 engines ( as far as I am aware)

As with the bonnet safety catch on the clio, Renault have used poor quality components on critical areas of their cars/vans and seem to be unwilling/unable to deal with the problem.

You will be lucky if you've done no damage to the head/valves etc.
My advice is always change the cam belt tensioners and idlers at the same time as the belt, as they are much, much cheaper than a new engine.

I still cannot believe that Manufactures think that it is acceptable to put cheap plastic components on critical engine/body parts, on a car that costs upwards of £8000.

The late clios are an absolut death trap waiting to be sprung on an unsuspecting driver, if your cam belt doesn't fall off and sieze your engine, then it's likely your bonnet will fly up while you're in the fast lane.

russian · Unread post by **russian** » 23 May 2008, 12:41

**Update**

V reg Megane 1.6 RT Sport for sale, needs valves replacing.

Interior in immaculate condition, body is in very good condition, but needs tidying up in 1 or 2 places. When it runs it is a really nice drive, Renault stereo is still in place.

Reasonable offers considered

Thanks