Clio 200 questions

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Discussion

KENEFICK

Original Poster:

14 posts

216 months

Monday 25th March 2013
quotequote all
Hi, Just looking for a little bit of advice.
Recently bought a clio 200 full fat cup and really impressed by it.

Only ever been into german cars and not ever given the french stuff a thought but very happy with the choice so far.

First question. The coolant gauge doesnt reach the middle of the gauge, assuming possible temp sensor or thermostat fault.
The outside temp sensor hasnt read above 2 yet and although cold my other car has fluctuated between 0-8 over the weekend.
Any common issues?

Second question. Very slight knock from the O/S/F when on rough tarmac or pot holes.
Any common issues?

Third question. The gearbox seems to be awkawrd when cold, seems to bulk up slightly going into gear, very nice after 1-2miles and no synchro issues.
Is this normal?




HonestIago

1,719 posts

185 months

Monday 25th March 2013
quotequote all
KENEFICK said:
Third question. The gearbox seems to be awkawrd when cold, seems to bulk up slightly going into gear, very nice after 1-2miles and no synchro issues.
Is this normal?
I can't remember offhand from having driven one, though I do know the gearboxes are not a strong point. My Uncle's 200 had syncro problems in 3rd/4th after 20k miles and needed warranty work done. Sorry that's not exactly helpful!

roystinho

3,767 posts

174 months

Monday 25th March 2013
quotequote all
HonestIago said:
KENEFICK said:
Third question. The gearbox seems to be awkawrd when cold, seems to bulk up slightly going into gear, very nice after 1-2miles and no synchro issues.
Is this normal?
I can't remember offhand from having driven one, though I do know the gearboxes are not a strong point. My Uncle's 200 had syncro problems in 3rd/4th after 20k miles and needed warranty work done. Sorry that's not exactly helpful!
Mine was a bit notchy when cold, especially when the outside temp was cold. But there is a well known 3rd/4th gear syncro problem, my car's went after I sold it

gez c16b

182 posts

172 months

Monday 25th March 2013
quotequote all
That's not synchro problems.

It's just a stiff box for the first few miles when it's cold weather.

Inverted

2,162 posts

208 months

Tuesday 26th March 2013
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My gearbox was also stiff for the first few miles. This then developed further and eventually had a new box fitted under warranty at 9k miles.

GTRStage1

78 posts

132 months

Tuesday 26th March 2013
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The gear box is a bh when it's cold like this...especially getting it in to first and reverse.

Just let it warm up a bit and after a couple of minutes driving it will be fine.

Afraid I can't help on the other issues.

KENEFICK

Original Poster:

14 posts

216 months

Tuesday 26th March 2013
quotequote all
Thanks for the help, good to know its a common thing and not a fault as such.


Technomatt

1,085 posts

132 months

Tuesday 26th March 2013
quotequote all
KENEFICK said:
Thanks for the help, good to know its a common thing and not a fault as such.
Get it down a dealer, if it's still got a warranty, and let them have a look. They will give you the usual 'they all do that' line but at least you have registered a potential box issue on the system for when/if it does go later.

Clio 197/200 gearboxes are renowned for a high rate of failure. Renault have never fixed the synchro problem, so be aware.

GrumpyTwig

3,354 posts

156 months

Tuesday 26th March 2013
quotequote all
Technomatt said:
KENEFICK said:
Thanks for the help, good to know its a common thing and not a fault as such.
Get it down a dealer, if it's still got a warranty, and let them have a look. They will give you the usual 'they all do that' line but at least you have registered a potential box issue on the system for when/if it does go later.

Clio 197/200 gearboxes are renowned for a high rate of failure. Renault have never fixed the synchro problem, so be aware.
In reality Renault have never publicly acknowledged the failure rate, but they altered the construction in later boxes.

Unless you really can not get it into gear then they're all a bit stiff cold which can potentially be solved with a gbox oil change.

KENEFICK

Original Poster:

14 posts

216 months

Tuesday 26th March 2013
quotequote all
Is there a better oil to put into the box? or just replace standard for standard.

I know the Toyota engine lotus exige's used to have crunchy synchromesh when cold and there was an optional oil replacement but customers were advised against the thinner oil if cars were used hard. [track work]

It is fairly stiff from cold but only needs a few changes before its very slick.

Think it is just something to live with.

Will get box oil changed at service too.

GrumpyTwig

3,354 posts

156 months

Tuesday 26th March 2013
quotequote all
KENEFICK said:
Is there a better oil to put into the box? or just replace standard for standard.

I know the Toyota engine lotus exige's used to have crunchy synchromesh when cold and there was an optional oil replacement but customers were advised against the thinner oil if cars were used hard. [track work]

It is fairly stiff from cold but only needs a few changes before its very slick.

Think it is just something to live with.

Will get box oil changed at service too.
I'd leave it, my box got replaced but I was having to REALLY force it into 1st/reverse and a slight crunch between 3rd and 4th.

I'm trying some different oil just to see if it's any better/worse but may end up just going back to OEM stuff as in reality once warm it's pretty positive and quick to use.

Rs2oo

2,195 posts

197 months

Tuesday 26th March 2013
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GrumpyTwig said:
In reality Renault have never publicly acknowledged the failure rate, but they altered the construction in
I've done 21,000 miles in my 2010 registered 200. My gearbox is fine but difficult when cold. I asked the dealer to check it out and they said it was ok, they changed the gearbox oil as a matter of course. What year did they change the construction ? As I said, mine seems fine.

GrumpyTwig

3,354 posts

156 months

Tuesday 26th March 2013
quotequote all
Rs2oo said:
GrumpyTwig said:
In reality Renault have never publicly acknowledged the failure rate, but they altered the construction in
I've done 21,000 miles in my 2010 registered 200. My gearbox is fine but difficult when cold. I asked the dealer to check it out and they said it was ok, they changed the gearbox oil as a matter of course. What year did they change the construction ? As I said, mine seems fine.
No idea but after 2010, it's difficult to track down due to the rarity so far of anyone actually stripping one apart.

simoid

19,772 posts

157 months

Wednesday 27th March 2013
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KENEFICK said:
Only ever been into german cars and not ever given the french stuff a thought but very happy with the choice so far.
French things do French things smile

Technomatt

1,085 posts

132 months

Wednesday 27th March 2013
quotequote all
Rs2oo said:
GrumpyTwig said:
In reality Renault have never publicly acknowledged the failure rate, but they altered the construction in
I've done 21,000 miles in my 2010 registered 200. My gearbox is fine but difficult when cold. I asked the dealer to check it out and they said it was ok, they changed the gearbox oil as a matter of course. What year did they change the construction ? As I said, mine seems fine.
I'm not sure Renault ever upgraded the box. Many have had a new box and that has also failed.

The gearbox issues are one of the biggest problems regarding 197/200 ownership.

roystinho

3,767 posts

174 months

Wednesday 27th March 2013
quotequote all
Technomatt said:
Rs2oo said:
GrumpyTwig said:
In reality Renault have never publicly acknowledged the failure rate, but they altered the construction in
I've done 21,000 miles in my 2010 registered 200. My gearbox is fine but difficult when cold. I asked the dealer to check it out and they said it was ok, they changed the gearbox oil as a matter of course. What year did they change the construction ? As I said, mine seems fine.
I'm not sure Renault ever upgraded the box. Many have had a new box and that has also failed.

The gearbox issues are one of the biggest problems regarding 197/200 ownership.
The syncro issue was sorted on later cars, not sure exactly when though

Technomatt

1,085 posts

132 months

Wednesday 27th March 2013
quotequote all
roystinho said:
Technomatt said:
Rs2oo said:
GrumpyTwig said:
In reality Renault have never publicly acknowledged the failure rate, but they altered the construction in
I've done 21,000 miles in my 2010 registered 200. My gearbox is fine but difficult when cold. I asked the dealer to check it out and they said it was ok, they changed the gearbox oil as a matter of course. What year did they change the construction ? As I said, mine seems fine.
I'm not sure Renault ever upgraded the box. Many have had a new box and that has also failed.

The gearbox issues are one of the biggest problems regarding 197/200 ownership.
The syncro issue was sorted on later cars, not sure exactly when though
You often hear that, but has it even been officially confirmed or backed up by Renault?

Red 4

10,744 posts

186 months

Wednesday 27th March 2013
quotequote all
Synchros - made of carbon fibre which eats itself

As said the rumour is Renault changed them to brass on later cars but also as said - unconfirmed.

Technomatt

1,085 posts

132 months

Thursday 28th March 2013
quotequote all
Red 4 said:
Synchros - made of carbon fibre which eats itself

As said the rumour is Renault changed them to brass on later cars but also as said - unconfirmed.
Considering this has been such a huge and ongoing problem for the Clio 197/200 you would have thought they would have engineered a solution and declared it.

Some bean counter has obviously run the numbers and decided a do nothing, try and keep it quiet, the warranty claim cost are cheaper type policy is the way they want to deal with it.

Not good for owners and certainly not good for those outside warranty.

KENEFICK

Original Poster:

14 posts

216 months

Thursday 28th March 2013
quotequote all
Strange to have gearbox internals made of Carbon, is this a know thing?

Brass sounds just a soft and wearing a material too.