"Francois" the Vel Satis 3.5 V6 Privilege Shed
Discussion
Pop pop pop
Problem list as of 14th August:
further investigation led to below.
All in all I can thoroughly recommend a Renault Vel Satis to anyone. Friends, family, neighbours and children the Vel Satis is sure to pull your pants down and show you a real good time if Swarfega and Swearing is your idea of a fun night in.
If you have a partner however I strongly recommend you buy a 1.8 VW Passat or Toyota Carina.
Problem list as of 14th August:
- Rear light connector intermittent fault, poor connection to bulbs followed by "Warning, right brake light faulty. Consult your Renault Dealer"
- Previous issue causes gearbox to stick into 4th/5th and putting it into reverse produces a massive shunt sound (and mild whiplash) followed by "Warning Automatic Gearbox faulty. Consult your Renault Dealer."
- Poor connection between battery and wiring, now fully cleaned and tightened with liberal use of battery terminal grease but every now and then informs me "Warning, battery charge fault. Consult your Renault Dealer"
- Air conditioning blows cold air at the driver, regardless of digital setting. "You would like 26 degrees sir? Certainly, have 6 degrees." (Disclaimer: Does not actually say this)
- Constantly displays "Automatic Parking Brake Faulty" Brake works perfectly fine, was assured this needed resetting with a CLIP (anyone local?)
- Air conditioning panel illumination varies depending on how you tap it...
- Gearbox gets the hump once it's warm and offers whiplash when changing down from 3rd to 2nd.
- Once gearbox has hump all other subsequent gearchanges are slow and lumpy.
- Timing chain is rattling. I believe this to be the Nissan weakspot where the timing chain guide snaps and slides down resulting in poor tension. I cannot remove the inspection covers to check as the sealant is s
t strong and will not let go of the caps... Any hints will be most appreciated.
- Bottom seals of doors are slowly peeling away from plastic, this appears to have been
bodgedprofessionally repaired at some point. Renault only sell the plastic trims complete with seals. I intend on actually sourcing the seals and provide a ray of light for owners everywhere.
- Left rear lower arm has perished bushings meaning that they move in a forward/rearward direction relative to the car. Recognised by a popping sound at the back following a humph from the gearbox (This forced me to check that it wasn't RWD as it sounded related like a diff
)
- There is a series of oil leaks from the under side of the engine. Could be the sump, could be something higher up, seems to be from multiple places. The level isn't dropping and it was all hidden nicely by the giant floor pan but it's definitely there.
- Fans seem to make a horrendous clicking sound every time they kick in and switch off. The entire assembly appears to be made of Chad Valley plastic so it could be anything...
- Steering started a pop pop popping sound when turning, did a visual check on the floor and noticed the front left drop link had seen better days
further investigation led to below.
- L/H Driveshaft boot has completely blown away into the mists of time resulting in the world entering into shiny moving parts. This appears to be expensive.
- L/H Shock has no boot shield preventing the elements from making love to it.
- Thought I would check the right hand side... R/H shock has protective sleeve floating around in the middle, contributing sod all to the shock. Plus this shock is leaking.
- R/H drop link dead.
All in all I can thoroughly recommend a Renault Vel Satis to anyone. Friends, family, neighbours and children the Vel Satis is sure to pull your pants down and show you a real good time if Swarfega and Swearing is your idea of a fun night in.
If you have a partner however I strongly recommend you buy a 1.8 VW Passat or Toyota Carina.
Edited by Kringle on Sunday 14th August 21:33
We'll try and keep my Dad's on the road.
I think the MOT fail was on a rear door not opening from the outside and full beam not working.
The rear wiper has also given up the ghost, I believe and maybe some other stuff to sort.
Will get a list together and hopefully we can do some problem solving on this thread
I think the MOT fail was on a rear door not opening from the outside and full beam not working.
The rear wiper has also given up the ghost, I believe and maybe some other stuff to sort.
Will get a list together and hopefully we can do some problem solving on this thread
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