BenKing Posted 15, October 2023 Report Share Posted 15, October 2023 Hey all, new to this forum so I apoligse if this isn't the right spot to make this post etc but I've run into some engine trouble in my Megane 3 RS250. When I purchased the car (about 15-20,000km and roughly 1.5 years ago) there was this "tapping" sound coming from the engine when it was cold. It's hard to explain what this sounded like before but from my own research and seeing what others had experienced I had made the assumption this was due to a hydraulic lifter or something. It would go away completely when warm, even driving it for about 500 metres it would go away in most cases. Though, the other day, i noticed this rather loud tcking that could be injectors (was never this loud before) and some metallic tapping noise which won't go away, it's quite loud and it doesn't sound like a knock but it's almost like there's a valve train issue or the lifter has come loose and needs adjustment/replacement. I'm avoiding driving it, but it's possible there's metal on metal contact which could lead to a knock very soon.. Attached is a video of the engine while hot which can hopefully make more sense of this post. The car had a timing belt change done at ~100,000km and had oil changes done on time etc. I had only just replaced the spark plugs and coils too as it was misfiring at idle and would sputter hard under any load. Finally thought I had gotten everything fixed up, especially after paying $3500 in labour/parts for a new HD clutch earlier this year.. I also noticed a bit of misfire or sputtering on the cold start too, and given I just replaced the spark plugs/coils I'm hoping they're not at fault there now too. It's had 5w-30 oil put in it which on second thought might be a bit thin but it's what I found was "recommended". Anyone have any ideas on what this might be and what i'm in for? IMG_8563.mov Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YakuzaWAFD Posted 16, October 2023 Report Share Posted 16, October 2023 Is your aircon blowing cold? Could be the compressor pulley. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenKing Posted 16, October 2023 Author Report Share Posted 16, October 2023 59 minutes ago, YakuzaWAFD said: Is your aircon blowing cold? Could be the compressor pulley. Hey mate, that's a really good point actually. I noticed a while ago the AC would blow cold out of one vent but hot out of the others. I think I self diagnosed this as some sort of valve issue controlling the flow of cold/hot air but I wouldn't be surprised if it was the AC. Is this a common issue on these cars? Any ideas on how much it'd cost to fix? Appreciate your assistance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave200 Posted 16, October 2023 Report Share Posted 16, October 2023 Yes its one of the most common problems on the mk3. Spareto can deliver Denso compressor far cheaper than anyone locally - https://spareto.com/t/vehicles/renault/renau-megane-iii-coupe-dz0-slash-1-2-dot-0-r-dot-s/air-conditioning/compressor-parts Obviously get it checked by a specialist first before getting the compressor replaced as it may be something else entirely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenKing Posted 16, October 2023 Author Report Share Posted 16, October 2023 42 minutes ago, Dave200 said: Yes its one of the most common problems on the mk3. Spareto can deliver Denso compressor far cheaper than anyone locally - https://spareto.com/t/vehicles/renault/renau-megane-iii-coupe-dz0-slash-1-2-dot-0-r-dot-s/air-conditioning/compressor-parts Obviously get it checked by a specialist first before getting the compressor replaced as it may be something else entirely Thanks mate, appreciate it. Struggling to find a reputable specialist for these cars here in Melbourne, but I've emailed one so fingers crossed. Hopefully it's as simple as this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RallySportNZ Posted 17, October 2023 Report Share Posted 17, October 2023 Just a note, you don't need a specialist, these cars are rather basic and standard in design, you just need a trusted mechanic. If it one thing I wish I had realized sooner was this. Where it gets tricky with these cars is parts procurement. Local agents and genuine parts are generally rather expensive due to the cars relative low sales numbers. The trick is finding a good mechanic that can diagnose things before they fail and that gives you the option to import your own parts. Best of luck. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slick Posted 17, October 2023 Report Share Posted 17, October 2023 38 minutes ago, BenKing said: Thanks mate, appreciate it. Struggling to find a reputable specialist for these cars here in Melbourne, but I've emailed one so fingers crossed. Hopefully it's as simple as this! Where abouts are you ??? Doesn't the manual specify 5W40 oil ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenKing Posted 17, October 2023 Author Report Share Posted 17, October 2023 21 minutes ago, slick said: Where abouts are you ??? Doesn't the manual specify 5W40 oil ?? Definitely meant to put 5w-40, my bad. Last oil put in was Penrite HPR 5. I'm located in the Northern Suburbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenKing Posted 17, October 2023 Author Report Share Posted 17, October 2023 40 minutes ago, RallySportNZ said: Just a note, you don't need a specialist, these cars are rather basic and standard in design, you just need a trusted mechanic. If it one thing I wish I had realized sooner was this. Where it gets tricky with these cars is parts procurement. Local agents and genuine parts are generally rather expensive due to the cars relative low sales numbers. The trick is finding a good mechanic that can diagnose things before they fail and that gives you the option to import your own parts. Best of luck. I've been going to my local mechanic since I purchased the car, they've done a lot of work including the clutch change, but I feel I need to take it somewhere else. They're pretty unreliable. Still looking around for a decent mechanic I can trust which also isn't too far. I did trust them, but after it took them over a month to replace the clutch on my car and it then a few months later I noticed it started leaking oil from the rear main seal and I called them up and they told me "Oh wasn't a part of the clutch job" I completely lost interest in going there again. Another gearbox out job... I guess what I mean by specialist is someone who has worked on a few of these before. I'm sure I'll find some place eventually. Appreciate it anyway mate! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slick Posted 17, October 2023 Report Share Posted 17, October 2023 14 minutes ago, BenKing said: Definitely meant to put 5w-40, my bad. Last oil put in was Penrite HPR 5. I'm located in the Northern Suburbs. I asked where you are as we have a very good Renault mechanic down here at Frankston - bit far for you I guess. Karl at Virage in South Melbourne is very good .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenKing Posted 17, October 2023 Author Report Share Posted 17, October 2023 18 minutes ago, slick said: I asked where you are as we have a very good Renault mechanic down here at Frankston - bit far for you I guess. Karl at Virage in South Melbourne is very good .... Legend! These guys look good online, might give them a go. Anyone who works on a lot of Renaults should be able to sort me out here so these guys seem good. Just don't want to have the car wrongly diagnosed by some dodgy mechanic haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slick Posted 17, October 2023 Report Share Posted 17, October 2023 59 minutes ago, BenKing said: Legend! These guys look good online, might give them a go. Anyone who works on a lot of Renaults should be able to sort me out here so these guys seem good. Just don't want to have the car wrongly diagnosed by some dodgy mechanic haha FYI - the guy in Frankston is Garry at The Renno Workshop. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenKing Posted 17, October 2023 Author Report Share Posted 17, October 2023 2 hours ago, slick said: FYI - the guy in Frankston is Garry at The Renno Workshop. Taking it to Karl at Virage on Friday, he's suspecting it's the AC as it sounds like something is tapping/knocking but it's driving just fine and hasn't blown up. He also believes the tapping noise on cold start might be an injector rail as that's also a common issue. Many thanks for the recommendation! hopefully a 'simple' ish fix. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenKing Posted 8, November 2023 Author Report Share Posted 8, November 2023 Quick update - Compressor went completely. Ended up going to A.L.S automotive in South Melbourne to get this replaced, they were great. Condenser was also gone so that got replaced, all up was ~$2350. At least the air con blows cold now, hoping no more concerning noises mysteriously appear now. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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