gardener345

Replies to comments not already addressed: Thanks for your comments they are very helpful. HamishW96: I agree with your tech assessment. The workshop test drove the repaired car for 10km and when I collected it said that it was good to drive interstate (Hmmm).. I had no indication of the problem until the engine blew again with an instant loss of power, i.e. no untoward noise/vibration etc. Gambit and Allez: There is some terrific advice and wording in your comments. As a legal novice it is difficult to get ones head around the terminology used. I have approached the Consumer and Business Commission in SA previously and will do so again with more understanding of the processes. The local Renault dealer seem to be dragging its feet and a more legal approach may get them to be more proactive.

Sorry but I don't know where the so called Renault Dealer is getting their information from. No engine is going to be set up to run with .03mm (.0012") end float clearance. .13mm (.005") sounds about right to me. The figures that I found for crankshaft end float for Renault 4FR is .07-.23mm (.003-.009") so your engine is spot on spec. Most engine run around .003 to .008" crank end float clearance. Thanks Clio43. Missed your comment while I was writing earlier reply. I am VERY glad to see your comment that my engine is spot on spec for end float. I suspected it was, it has been carefully maintained and has only travelled about 52k km. The figures I quoted were what were given to me in a hand written report in discussion with the service manager when they explained they would not cover the cost of the second engine rebuild.

I am new to forums so not sure how to reply to comments. So here goes: Thanks to all that have replied Docmatic/Cairnsy : Yes it is very frustrating, essentially I have not had the car since mid Feb ( well for 4 days only). I am not Sydney based but will try and contact Renotech. I have been researching consumer law and it is my view they are responsible from a unsatisfactory service point of view and consumer law, but I need more info to go ahead (hence forum). Matt205: I have been in contact with Renault Australia in Melbourne who have been reasonably helpful. It is my understanding that the local dealer sent a post warranty claim to Renault Australia about 4 weeks ago but it seems from a recent call I made to Melbourne that a decision has not been made. The local road side assistance organization is waiting to hear about the warranty claim before making an onsite inspection (and so it goes). Acidwestern: The photo shown is the best I have . Your thoughts on the use of a 6 vs 7 rib belt ( presumably non turbo vs turbo engine) are very interesting. I also find the very CLEAN "delamination" of the belt curious. The measurement of the end float by the local dealer is 0.13mm (0.03 is apparently the specified tolerance). Every mechanic I have spoken to says that a 0.1mm difference would not cause the belt to jump. I was given a list of the parts used in the initial repair and have a part number for the accessory belt kit used and will try and track this down.

Hi, I have a 2013 Renault Megane RS265 Cup. At 48,800 km approximately one year ago as part of routine maintenance I had the auxiliary drive and timing belts replaced. About 11 months and 2,900 km later I had a complete engine failure with loss of compression. Renault diagnosed this as a broken drive belt which then got under the timing cover, resulting in disruption of the timing belt and consequent bending of the valves. They concluded the cause was a workshop fitment error in replacing the belts, and repaired the engine at their cost (approx. $5000 in parts). Four days and 55 km after I collected the repaired car, I had another complete engine failure with loss of compression. The car was delivered back to the Renault dealer. The assessment was that again the drive belt was damaged and caused the timing belt to be disrupted. This time, however, they concluded the reason was due to crankshaft end float that caused the belt to jump ribs and split. They would not repair the car at their cost. I have a photo of the drive belt taken from the top of the engine after the second breakdown. This shows that the belt was still on the pulley, but on the RHS what appears to be an almost perfect “delineation” of the belt has occurred. It is my understanding the drive belt on a F4RT engine is a 7-rib belt. I can’t accurately determine how many ribs are left but it doesn’t look like 7. I am still trying to get an independent inspection of the damage. I have had very little response from the local Renault dealer. Accordingly, I have discussed the issue with many mechanics, and with the local roadside assistance organisation. All have agreed that end float, unless very extreme, would not cause this problem, and I would have been aware of it if it was that severe. The car had only travelled 51,700 km before the first engine failure and has always been serviced according to specification by Renault dealers. Is there anyone who can help with the diagnosis? Thanks