Renault Clio Build
Baldovino Caya
Hello guys! I bought a 2001 clio 1.2 16v last week, and since then i've been noticing 3 problems. I need to change a cv axle, and the valve cover gasket that is leaking to the heatshield burning oil, And there's the weird noise. It's like a crackling sound, it comes from the left side of the engine and its getting worse (when i got it, it started at about 1,5k rpm the noise, and noise at 1k) and im afraid that it's just not a annoying sound, but something serious. Here's the videos of the sound:
@jonnhylemon 2nd video almost sounds like a bad bearing. Have you checked the idler pulley for your belts and /or if the noise comes from your AC compressor/clutch? Does the noise increase with increased RPM's?
The idler pulley etc. will depend on what accessories your Clio has. Take a look at the belt diagram and see which one is for your engine. Looks like we can eliminate the 1st one. T+ is the idler/tensioner pulley.
@jonnhylemon yes that would be the way to go. With the belt off you could spin the pulley and see if it makes a noise. sometimes you can also feel axial paly in the pulley as you move it. If so you know it needs to be replaced. You cal also try something a little less scientific. With the engine off spray some wd4o or equivalent right on the idler pulley than start you engoine and listen. If it changes the noise you have it pretty much narrowed down. Also, do the same with the AC and power steering pump etc. (one after the other) it'll help to narrow it down. I always worry about using a stethoscope on a transverse mounted engine since there never seems to be enough room to get to while the engine is running.
Just after some advice really. I currently own a red Renault Clio (2018) petrol 1.2 litre engine which does approximately 40MPG - i purchased this outright. I have owned it for about a year since passing my driving test, I have found it to be a excellent car in terms of driving performance and reliability in getting me around. Mine has done approx. 37,000 miles to this date (with me accumulating about 3,500 miles in the last year).
So I have test driven the diesel clio and found it is just as better to drive, if not better than my current clio. It has 5 gears rather than 6 which is easy, its more soundproof from the engine than my current clio. Apart from that there is nothing else different, it is identical to my current clio (minus the number plate).
I am wanting opinions/advice on if my above suggesting is something that would be sensible to consider? I know we are living in a world where petrol/diesels are being phased out due to global warming, and trust me if I could afford an electric car/hybrid car then I would!
I know I said I passed my test over a year ago, but I do drive my current car in way that I make it as fuel efficient as I possibly can (breaking gently, accelerating gently and so on!). Is it advisable to part exchange to a car year older than the current one you own? and also a year after purchase of your current car? The garage actually quoted me the exchange price and I would bet getting 200 more for my current clio than I actually paid for it a year ago.
You are not going to get anywhere close to halving your fuel costs. A diesel Clio is certainly going to be more efficient than a 1.2 petrol, but driven in the same manner, the most you might get is a 30% improvement of mpg.
As well as potentially higher repair bills with a diesel, you mighty need to look at the servicing costs. I suspect a cambelt change on the diesel will be more expensive, if only because it's trickier to do as the Clio engine bay will be more cramped with the diesel engine.
You only need one thought - your annual mileage is nowhere near enough to get any cost benefit from switching to diesel. There may be 20-30% benefit to the environment in terms of CO2. If you have any thoughts of visiting a place which excludes diesel cars, that may be another consideration.
You are doing what many of us do; trying to reverse-engineer a good reason for buying a new car. If you want to do it properly, you need to think about how many miles you are likely to be doing over a long period, then use the Real MPG on this website to compare. It's unlikely to add up, but I have previously switched to a diesel to save money (I was doing 35,000 miles a year).
As other have said, every transaction you make with a dealer will cost you 1,000 minimum so, again, think about how long you're going to keep the car and how far you're going to drive it. Generally, I would suggest it's unlikely to be worth your while and a car that you've had for.some time is a better bet than getting another one. You don't know the full history of your car, but you know it's worked for a year and how it's been treated in that period, so it's lower risk.
I am surprised your 1.2 Clio only does 40mpg, especially on these long runs you are doing now. My 2 litre Mazda6 can do better than that. Maybe it needs to be checked out. Our 1.4 Polo will do over 50 on long runs, more like 55 on A-roads.
I have noticed my current Clio has developed some high pitch noises when starting up the engine and somtimes there like some high pitch whining noises when driving normall (particularly at 50mph in 6th gear) - I do follow what the oboard computer says when to change gears.