Start up noise (grinding/scratching) help - Renault Clio

Start up noise (grinding/scratching) help - Renault Clio

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Chabs

Original Poster:

13 posts

71 months

Sunday 20th May 2018
quotequote all
Hi,

I am wondering if anyone can help me identify what this sound may be?

https://youtu.be/QKoM-JBrfck

I bought the car about 10 days again, second hand from a dealer. Before buying we had an independent mechanic come and check it out - they identified a few faults, including 'misfiring engine' and the dealer then changed the spark plugs for us and said that was the problem solved. I don't know if this could be related to that but my google search makes me think not?

When I collected the car I didn't notice the sound (there was a lot of talk going on and it's possible I may have missed it) - but when I drove it again that weekend, I noticed this noise - and wasn't like that when I test drove.

I have only driven it twice again since, and this noise is still present on every start up.

The dealership have told me to bring it in to check it out, but they could say anything and I wouldn't be any the wiser...

Having looked around at other YouTube vids could this be a dephaser/pulley problem? If yes or no, does anyone have any advice?

Is this anything to worry about? Or just a sign of an old car?

Ah! Also, the service light is on? When the independent mechanic came to check the car he noted that too and said it could be that it hasn't been reset - the dealership then reset it. And the day I drove off, it was off. Now it's back on...

Just trying to do all my homework - or as much as I can before returning to the dealership!

Thanks
Chabs

GreenV8S

30,186 posts

284 months

Sunday 20th May 2018
quotequote all
Lots of noises there and I have no idea which one(s) you're complaining about. I suggest you get your friendly mechanic or more experienced friend to listen to it and tell you whether it's a problem.

If the maintenance info lamp is coming on there is something wrong, and since you bought from a dealer it's the dealer's responsibility to fix it. The MIL will be accompanied with a fault code to indicate what problem it is reporting, and somebody who knows enough to clear the MIL should also know enough to read the fault code. But that's not your problem, it's the dealer's.

Note that the Consumer Rights Act 2015 gives you very specific rights and puts you in a strong position when you buy from a dealer, but your position gets weaker after 30 days. You may well find that dealers try to delay dealing with you until you are past that time limit since they have more options to fob you off then. Obviously you won't let them get away with it.

I suggest you find out whether you have one problem or two, and then decide whether you want the dealer to fix them or give your money back. At this stage you have that choice. Then write a letter to the dealer describing the problems and telling them which option you have chosen. Make sure it is dated. Don't do it verbally, or by email, or text, or via their web site. Write it on an old fashioned piece of paper and physically give it to them or send it in the post.

Edited by GreenV8S on Thursday 24th May 12:14

Order66

6,728 posts

249 months

Thursday 24th May 2018
quotequote all
Strange noise. It sounds like it is in the cabin rather than coming from the engine bay. Also sounds electrical, like a relay clicking, or something electro-mechanical being moved/adjusted (stereo or air vents moving?)

Does the noise occur when you just turn the key to position 2 and don't start the engine?

Where does the noise appear to be coming from? Is it inside the cabin?

Chabs

Original Poster:

13 posts

71 months

Saturday 26th May 2018
quotequote all
Order66 said:
Strange noise. It sounds like it is in the cabin rather than coming from the engine bay. Also sounds electrical, like a relay clicking, or something electro-mechanical being moved/adjusted (stereo or air vents moving?)

Does the noise occur when you just turn the key to position 2 and don't start the engine?

Where does the noise appear to be coming from? Is it inside the cabin?
Sorry - where is the cabin? It doesn't seem to make that noise if I don't turn on the engine. Thanks

littleredrooster

5,537 posts

196 months

Saturday 26th May 2018
quotequote all
Chabs said:
Sorry - where is the cabin?
The passenger compartment. The bit where you sit.

Mr2Mike

20,143 posts

255 months

Saturday 26th May 2018
quotequote all
Sounds like a dry bearing in the starter motor, which commonly make that noise just as the engine fires up. If so it's not a big worry as they will go on for a long time like that.

Chabs

Original Poster:

13 posts

71 months

Monday 28th May 2018
quotequote all
littleredrooster said:
The passenger compartment. The bit where you sit.
Hmmm hard to tell, I guess it just sounds like it's coming from in front of me (sitting in the driver's seat). Sounds deep down inside the car? If that makes any sense?

Chabs

Original Poster:

13 posts

71 months

Monday 28th May 2018
quotequote all
Mr2Mike said:
Sounds like a dry bearing in the starter motor, which commonly make that noise just as the engine fires up. If so it's not a big worry as they will go on for a long time like that.
Dry is definitely the kind of word I would use to describe the noise.
If this is the case, does this have any long term damage on the car or is it just the sort of thing that happens with a nine years old car and bears nothing major required fixing?
Thank you

Chabs

Original Poster:

13 posts

71 months

Monday 28th May 2018
quotequote all
Hi all
Thank you very much. Taking it in today and all the feedback helps in making me sound like I have half an idea of what's going on and gives me a little more confidence.
All are great conversation starters!
Thanks a million!

Mr2Mike

20,143 posts

255 months

Monday 28th May 2018
quotequote all
Chabs said:
Dry is definitely the kind of word I would use to describe the noise.
If this is the case, does this have any long term damage on the car or is it just the sort of thing that happens with a nine years old car and bears nothing major required fixing?
Thank you
Eventually you may need a new starter motor, or the one you have can be stripped and the bearings lubricated but its unlikely to cause damage to anything else. The starter on my wife's Octavia did this for probably 5-6 years as the starter motor was in a difficult location to remove and I was too lazy to do it!

Penelope Stopit

11,209 posts

109 months

Monday 28th May 2018
quotequote all
If the problem is the starter, the bush that's dry will have to be replaced, starter bushes last a long time when lubed but wear very quickly when dry