URGENT ADVICE PLEASE - Crack in engine bay (pic)

[vit4]

Sorry for capitals but need an answer quickly (need to use car now - 1997 Renault Megane 1.6 if that makes a difference) and I can't find anything on Google about what this is



I *think* it's a manifold? But I'll be honest, I have no idea so at risk of making a fool of myself I'll not 'suggest' any other ideas .

The car has been down on power according to the owner, she told me to take it around the block to see if I had any ideas. Odd noise, checked the engine bay and saw the crack. Also, it had very little coolant in it, well below the minimum (last checked a week or so ago).

1) What is it?
2) Is it going to be causing damage using the car?

Cheers in advance

[skene]

Just a heat shield, It'll be fine.



I think

[DAVEVO9]

That looks like a heat shield to me that would sit over the exhaust manifold.

Notice the cross on the hand symbol meaning hot don't touch

Edited by DAVEVO9 on Saturday 26th February 00:10

[daveparry]

The item in the photo is just a heat shield, you would have to remove it to see if there is any problem under it!

[skeggysteve]

It's just a thin cover over the exhaust mainfold. They usually crack so don't worry about it and the car is fine to use. It will have nothing to do with the car being down on power or anyother running issues.

[Baz Tench]

Yep, no need to worry. It is indeed just a heatshield.

Rest easy.

[Egg Chaser]

Yup, just a heat shield.

[vit4]

• Sigh of relief*

Alright, cheers for the quick response guys


When I was driving it noticed that it was indeed down on power, but in quite an odd manner. Almost like a turbo'd engine, nothing... nothing... nothing... SURGE. Combined with the sudden loss of coolant and a crack on an unknown quantity (especially on an old Renault ) thought better safe than sorry. Any ideas on what this could be then?


Cheers again, really appreciate the response

[Deva Link]

vit4 said:

When I was driving it noticed that it was indeed down on power, but in quite an odd manner. Almost like a turbo'd engine, nothing... nothing... nothing... SURGE. Combined with the sudden loss of coolant and a crack on an unknown quantity (especially on an old Renault ) thought better safe than sorry. Any ideas on what this could be then?

Could be head gasket failure.

[Mr Happy]

vit4 said:

*Sigh of relief*

Alright, cheers for the quick response guys

You'll probably find it'll start rattling before long, so when it does - just tear it off - don't bother trying to undo the bolts as they'll pretty much be welded in and you'll probably just shear the heads off.

[STW2010]

vit4 said:

*Sigh of relief*

Alright, cheers for the quick response guys


When I was driving it noticed that it was indeed down on power, but in quite an odd manner. Almost like a turbo'd engine, nothing... nothing... nothing... SURGE. Combined with the sudden loss of coolant and a crack on an unknown quantity (especially on an old Renault ) thought better safe than sorry. Any ideas on what this could be then?


Cheers again, really appreciate the response

Whilst it does look like a heat shield, something has caused the crack. And I suspect the answer will be behind the heat shield.

I hope it's nothing serious, but until it's looked at more closely then you really won't know for sure

[Biker's Nemesis]

Heat shield.

[nouze]

don't know if anyone mentioned it yet, it's just a heatshield.

[AlpineWhite]

nouze said:

don't know if anyone mentioned it yet, it's just a heatshield.

yeah, seems to be just a heatshield.

[XG332]

I think it is some sort of shield for the heat of the manifold.

[davepoth]

I've not read the rest of the thread, but the picture is of a heatshield.

[Mr Sparkle]

Air-conditioning pump - this could explanine the coolant loss as well since the A/C uses engine coolant.

[Urban Sports]

I could be wrong but it looks like a crack in the heatshield.

HTH