Renault Espace fun and games - not!
Discussion
Nick_F said:
It may be that no more is getting in, but that there's loads already there in the intercooler etc.
Our returned from the dealer with its new alternator, drive belt and drive belt tensioner, as well as the new o/s/r brake caliper, and promptly developed another problem.
Symptoms were complete and utter lack of power below 2k rpm when stone cold, improving slightly when warmer: when cold it wouldn't pull from tickover in 1st gear.
Bags of power over 2k rpm, though.
Check injection warning came and went.
Dealer has diagnosed EGR valve coked-up beyond economic recovery: it was last removed and supposedly cleaned 15k miles ago.
The real problem with these engines is 18k service intervals; henceforth, if we keep it, ours will get oil, filter and EGR valve clean up at 6k miles.
After a clean up of the EGR valve, it's always worth getting them to reset the EGR adaptives. They are prone to "learning" that they have restricted air flow and it's only the very late ones that detect that limited air-flow is actually a problem. When the fault appears, the fault finding directs you down the route of cleaning as priority - this prevents noticeable engine performance drop and premature failure of the EGR valve. If they clean the EGR valve and refit it, without resetting the adaptives for the EGR system, it's a pointless operation until it learns to re-adapt to more flow. Our returned from the dealer with its new alternator, drive belt and drive belt tensioner, as well as the new o/s/r brake caliper, and promptly developed another problem.
Symptoms were complete and utter lack of power below 2k rpm when stone cold, improving slightly when warmer: when cold it wouldn't pull from tickover in 1st gear.
Bags of power over 2k rpm, though.
Check injection warning came and went.
Dealer has diagnosed EGR valve coked-up beyond economic recovery: it was last removed and supposedly cleaned 15k miles ago.
The real problem with these engines is 18k service intervals; henceforth, if we keep it, ours will get oil, filter and EGR valve clean up at 6k miles.
Understood, I think. New valve fitted, though, so presumably nothing to 'unlearn' immediately?
Assuming I diy strip and clean the ERG valve at 6k intervals do I clear its head by disconnecting the battery, or is there more to it?
Wretched thing also now needs track-rod ends: which at 50k miles is nothing short of appalling.
Assuming I diy strip and clean the ERG valve at 6k intervals do I clear its head by disconnecting the battery, or is there more to it?
Wretched thing also now needs track-rod ends: which at 50k miles is nothing short of appalling.
Espace and Laguna of your guys shape single-handedly un-did all the hardwork that Renault did at trying to rebrand themselves.
Track rod ends, lower front ball joints and rear axle bushes (on Laguna's) are too prone to failure on these. I have no idea what Renault were thinking tbh.
Regarding the EGR valve, it doesn't have a computer of it's own so fitting a new one resetting the adaptives is still adviseable in my experience.
I bought a 1.2 Clio from new and drove it pretty hard from new. Best I could get MPG wise was never even in the 40's. Last year I reset the adaptives of my engine management and drove it carefully for the next 2000miles and I was upto 45mpg. But...now I put my foot down and it definately feels slower!
If you live locally to Buckinghamshire, let me know as I've been working on Renaults for 8 years now and apart from electronic diagnostic there's not much I shouldn't be able to at least help you guys out with. Even if it's just for me to shake my head and say "I have no idea" lol
Track rod ends, lower front ball joints and rear axle bushes (on Laguna's) are too prone to failure on these. I have no idea what Renault were thinking tbh.
Regarding the EGR valve, it doesn't have a computer of it's own so fitting a new one resetting the adaptives is still adviseable in my experience.
I bought a 1.2 Clio from new and drove it pretty hard from new. Best I could get MPG wise was never even in the 40's. Last year I reset the adaptives of my engine management and drove it carefully for the next 2000miles and I was upto 45mpg. But...now I put my foot down and it definately feels slower!
If you live locally to Buckinghamshire, let me know as I've been working on Renaults for 8 years now and apart from electronic diagnostic there's not much I shouldn't be able to at least help you guys out with. Even if it's just for me to shake my head and say "I have no idea" lol
shalmaneser said:
The EGR (which stands for Exhaust Gas Recirculation) valve allows exhaust gasses back into the induction loop in an effort to burn off unburnt fuel. The presence of unburnt fuel is due to diesel engines requiring a 'rich' (overfuelled) mixture to produce their peak torque. This unburnt fuel can damage the catalytic converter, and also contributes to NOx emissions, which need to be very low to pass various European engine standards.
Early diesel engines without sophisticated engine management systems and rigorous MOT emissions standards responded very well to owners blanking off their EGR valves to improve torque and smoothness, although at a marginal fuel consumption/emissions cost.
I'd suggest that blanking the EGR on your engine would cause the car to fail emissions tests come the next MOT, and could very well damage the cat.
The main problem with EGR valves is that due to their nature (circulating hot exhaust gasses) they have a very hard life, and any oil, soot, or general combustion detritus tends to clog them up. However, you've not got many options in this respect; you need one in a modern engine to pass emissions legislation.
...
No no no. There is very little unburnt fuel resulting from the Diesel combustion process - they are known for their low HC values in exhaust gases, as they run 'lean' unless the air filter is hopelessly clogged or the electrics are up the swannee on a modern diesel.Early diesel engines without sophisticated engine management systems and rigorous MOT emissions standards responded very well to owners blanking off their EGR valves to improve torque and smoothness, although at a marginal fuel consumption/emissions cost.
I'd suggest that blanking the EGR on your engine would cause the car to fail emissions tests come the next MOT, and could very well damage the cat.
The main problem with EGR valves is that due to their nature (circulating hot exhaust gasses) they have a very hard life, and any oil, soot, or general combustion detritus tends to clog them up. However, you've not got many options in this respect; you need one in a modern engine to pass emissions legislation.
...
EGR is designed to lower combustion temperatures - thereby reducing NOx levels in the exhaust gases - under (from memory) cruise (or 'steady speed') conditions.
Reduced NOx is part of type approval, not the MoT Test.
I will agree that EGR valves have an incredibly hard life - and are very hard to clean ('ultrasonic bath' is usually the method of choice in the workplace, but replacement with new is quicker).
5 years too late but...
I believe the oil-pressure relief valve often sticks on the 1.9/2.2 dCi engines
The leads to excessive oil pressure that forces its way past the turbo seals.
So you then get excessive oil consumption and the EGR valve gumming up....
Unless the oil filter O-ring or the turbo fail first.
I believe the oil-pressure relief valve often sticks on the 1.9/2.2 dCi engines
The leads to excessive oil pressure that forces its way past the turbo seals.
So you then get excessive oil consumption and the EGR valve gumming up....
Unless the oil filter O-ring or the turbo fail first.
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