Chook n Boo Mum Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 ....and following on from my having to remove a fishbone from DS's throat last night (another posted rant ), I then took him and another pupil back to school.......from our range of vehicles I decided on the Espace given that it's the tallest with greater ground clearance than the Smart Roadster (too few seats anyway ) and the Fiat 500 as there is still a fair amount of standing water on the roads. I was about 10 minutes from school when I detected a banging in the engine & decided that a visit from Messrs AA was in order.....owing to the fact that I was a female with children (13 & 17 ) in the car approximately 45 minutes later the first AA man arrived announcing that he didn't have enough fuel to hunt for me as the control centre had given him the wrong sat nav position (another pub in the next village )..........and that is my fault how?!?!.........any way the car was not repairable by the road & had to be recovered so fortunately I managed to get a lift for the children to school two hours late (DSD moved to the area last Friday ) whilst waiting for the recovery vehicle. All credit to Mr AA the second, he was a star & just the kind of man who you hope is going to help in your hour of need .....we chatted chooks, pigs & renovating old houses all the way home This morning we were enlightened that our '05 reg 56k Grande espace needs a new engine......Renault of course deny all knowledge of this being a problem with our model.....exactly the same as they did with the exploding turbo last year, despite being able to find another 2 examples with the same year & model within a fairly close circle of friends of friends, plus all the rants on car forums We are now without a family car to transport our children, dogs & various other commitments until Renault get to look at it, and our local Renault dealer/service agent is without a loader to transport it from one side of town to the other..............even if we got our lovely garage to replace the engine it would still be a fortnight at least..............grrrrr In the grand scheme of things "it could be worse" and "Ooops, word censored!"ody has been hurt, but it's still very irritating............and I'm waiting for the 3rd piece of bad luck *deep breathes.....ooooooooooooooooooommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm * Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 blimey Sha! thats quick to need a new engine. I missed you posting about son with fish bone, I hope hes ok now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 A whole new engine? that cant be right surely? second opinion in order? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted March 1, 2010 Author Share Posted March 1, 2010 Renault want to look at it, apparently whatever has "Died"/exploded/gone through the middle is fatal to the engine......deep joy I missed you posting about son with fish bone, I hope hes ok now He's fine thanks Lynsey, a bit sore, but more interested in the car, boys eh Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 I guess it's not long out of warranty too. We had a similar problem with a Citroen Picasso which dropped a cylinder after 70k miles. Not their fault of course. But impossible to prove either way. A new engine and clutch was fitted and that went on to do another 200k miles before we decided to replace it. Mind you, I've just replaced it with a second one as I just love the model - so useful for chickens and transporting wine from Spain! I do hope you get it fixed soon, Sha - not a good time for you... Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 Not your day is it Sha! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted March 1, 2010 Author Share Posted March 1, 2010 Not your day is it Sha! Not really...but hey ho it could be worse Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted March 1, 2010 Author Share Posted March 1, 2010 I wouldn't mind quite so much if we hadn't paid out £650 to get it through the MOT last Tuesday with new springs & a tyre being the main pound-munchers in that exercise Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 well you're doing everage miles in it and are looking after it, amazing that it needs a new engine! See what Renault say - whatever 'went' shouldnt have done so muuch damage surely? so they could be held to account if it did I suppose My car has a similar amount of miiles on and I would be livid if it needed a new engine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted March 1, 2010 Author Share Posted March 1, 2010 so they could be held to account if it did I suppose Well we live in hope, though car manufacturers are notorious for having "sloping shoulders" in our experience.....they tend to work on the theory that most people give up in exasperation or lack of funds rather than carry on with an issue, especially when most people don't usually have more than one car to use for day to day life . Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 Sorry to hear that, Sha. 56k is a pitifully low mileage to need a new engine - you'd expect at least 100k from a petrol engine and at least 200 to 250k from a diesel engine these days. If it has been dealer serviced from new and had regular use, then I would have thought the manufacturer should bear some responsibility, but I guess it would be hard to have them admit it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 It's all happening to you lately! 56K on the clock doesn't seem much at all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadietoo Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 Oh Sha...what can I say?...huge hugs and sympathy...And never stop pursuing the Big Boys when they're obviously in the wrong....Good luck and fight Renault all the way!!!x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 That doesn't seem right at all does it? I can't see how you should have to pay out for a new engine. It should last longer than that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoice Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 Sha, don't get me started on Renault!!! (Previous rant posted on here about a potential £1200 bill for an intermittent problem with a sensor on my clio that's only worth £2k max) Grrr. Ok Breathe. I'm sorry you are having car trouble. Could your timing belt have gone? It's often just a thick rubber type band and if that goes, your whole engines pistons fire in the wrong order and your engine needs replacing (Check ME out with my oh-so-technical car knowledge! Sorry, any mechanics out there!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margalot Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 We had a problem with one of our works vans, I know this is a different scenario, ....but we had a problem that meant the garage (van still under warranty) had to skim the head of the van (whatever that means?) then a few months later the van engine blew up. the garage tried to claim that we had put petrol into the tank, but we could prove otherwise. we had proof from the petrol station as we have company fuel cards etc. anyway due to them skimming the head too much, they had caused the engine problem and had to get us a new engine under warranty. We were fuming as if we had gone along with their original story of putting petrol in we would have had to fork out for the engine!!!!! Could the fact that you had the turbo replaced last year have something to do with this problem? by the way another of out fleet vans was having trouble a few months ago........we got a call from the garage " Have you put petrol in by Mistake?"............really could not believe our ears! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted March 2, 2010 Author Share Posted March 2, 2010 DH is now saying maybe it's more economical to get the engine replaced by our friendly garage rather than go through the whole rigmarole of Renault as they will probably still say they are not responsible The 40 odd years of brand loyalty which my DH has shown them is obviously worth diddly squat Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 Goodness I really feel your pain Cars are such a pain, I can't believe you paid that much to get it through the MOT and now this happens! OH's employer's work van is a Renault Traffic and when I mentioned your car requires a new engine at 56k he said that their van engine needs a new engine at 58k luckily though it's still under warranty. I wish I could make things better for you....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egg Lou Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 I would like to offer some experience if I may?? I work in the motor trade for a different manufacturer and we take customer service very seriously although the press may think differently!.... Your vehicle will be out of warranty unless you extended it, which is why they may be stalling. If they are anything like my company, The manufacturers own technical representative will need to see the car in order to access whether caused by technical failure or driver/owner error ( don't shoot me on this you'd be amazed how many people run engines without oil or water or drive through very deep puddles which can draw water into the engine through the air intake into all the wrong places!) In our case once its been checked over, if found to be a failure it may be that they agree to cover the cost or part of cost of repair under a 'goodwill' scheme. I know it seems a slap when we say goodwill but outside of warranty they are not legally obligated to cover it. (with exception of court cases etc) Although you can get it repaired elsewhere cheaper, keep it in mind but do give Renault the chance to do the above first. If they make an offer of repair you then have the chioce. If Renault make the repairs the part should then be gauranteed again for a preriod of time which is not alwawy the case in a non approved garage. If you have extended the warranty then unless there is a problem with the engine care then you should get a full repair as it sounds like a piston has blown? ALso ask for a courtesy car if needed/available. Personally I woul strongly push for the above and not just with the actual garage.. get the manufacturers contact details ( web?) and call or write to them strongly but remain polite of course, if you call customer service allow the first person to listen but if you do not get anywhere then insist on speaking to eitrher the customer service manage or the aftersales manager.. for Renault and not the Dealership. Best of luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted March 2, 2010 Author Share Posted March 2, 2010 I'll get Himself to read this when he's back from his ex-father-in-law's funeral. The car has always been serviced and maintained as per Renault's recommendations & always used to be done at the dealership, but DH has baulked at the high labour charges in the past year or so & gone to a local chap who uses all the Renault parts, just doesn't charge the earth.....I have no idea whether he extended the warranty, but I doubt it....... I've done the driving through water & flooded the engine in the past (car was 3 months old ), so have now adopted the practise of never doing so if I can't see the road through the water, I'd rather drive several miles out of the way than risk it The company would not accept that the air intact was situated in daft position..........Strangely enough though after that winter of many flood-damaged engines, we did notice the next models have a higher air intake........not an acceptance of responsibility, just a natural modification This car has been a real pain what with the turbo last year..........we toyed with the other makes when we upgraded to this one, but decided to stay loyal as we like the variability of the Espace cabin.......we'll be looking elsewhere once this one is line for a move.........sooner than we had planned I feel Re the courtesy car, they only have diddy cars & the dogs are not allowed in them..........they are the main reason for having the big car in the first place, so we probably wouldn't bother with having one . I know I keep harking on about it, but how can a diesel engine which has been maintained properly be a dead beast at 56k, are car engines becoming as disposable as our fashion........... ? Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egg Lou Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 I'll get Himself to read this when he's back from his ex-father-in-law's funeral. I know I keep harking on about it, but how can a diesel engine which has been maintained properly be a dead beast at 56k, are car engines becoming as disposable as our fashion........... ? Sha x Oh don't get me wrong.. you are absolutely right! There is no way a well maintained engine should get such a major fault at this mileage! Our warranties will go for 100k miles and other brands even higher. I just know the 'legal' obligations re warranty/servicing else where so thought it would be a good idea to give a tip on a posible way around via a goodwill etc.. If you get a no don't give up... just take it higher... quite often a no at first level support will usually result in help further up the line in a case like this... even if there is no legal obligation as not good PR! Customer Service - Customer Service Manager - AFtersales Manager - Aftersales Director - CEO.. this is how it would work in our case anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tutti Frutti Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 Have you thought about Sales of Goods Act? If an item isn't fit for purpose, you have 6 years from purchase (yep, even if the warranty's run out) to have it replaced or repaired (or refunded!) - but it does depend on the specific thing that's gone wrong and how and, as you know already, whether it's been properly maintained according to the manufacturer's service schedule. I'd say an engine should last a lot longer than 56k but something else (eg... um.... aaah... tyres? brake discs?) would have a much shorter life span. Anyway, I'm not legal - just trying to help - but I did find this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted March 3, 2010 Author Share Posted March 3, 2010 Thanks TF, being an '05 plate it's only just 5 years old at the oldest...........the car has now been moved from our friendly garage to the nearest Renault garage on the other side of town, a very nice man agreed to transport it for £20 so very reasonable We are now waiting for them to have the time to turn the engine on & discover the horrendous & scary sounds which emanate from under the bonnet..............."our" mechanic who has probably 40 years experience said it was dreadful & he turned it off seconds after he'd turned it on .......suspects the con rod..........whatever that is Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted March 3, 2010 Author Share Posted March 3, 2010 Goodness I really feel your pain Cars are such a pain, I can't believe you paid that much to get it through the MOT and now this happens! OH's employer's work van is a Renault Traffic and when I mentioned your car requires a new engine at 56k he said that their van engine needs a new engine at 58k luckily though it's still under warranty. I wish I could make things better for you....... Awww thanks Is his van the same engine as ours........ 2.2 DCI..........apparently the van version is 99bhp where as the car version is 150bhp with no obvious variations to allow for the extra stress..........how knowledgeable do I sound ...... so we were told today.....maybe this has some bearing Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosie Posted March 5, 2010 Share Posted March 5, 2010 I hope you get this sorted. I know how frustrating it can be. I have what must be the world's worst car- a Citroen C3. Before it was even out of warranty, the brakes seized, meaning it had to have new discs. Also the suspension had major faults. The main dealer, to whom I was obliged to take it for repairs under the warranty, said it was fair wear and tear and not covered by the warranty. Thing was, I had to queue up in the dealers service dept, to wait for others in front of me to have the most horrendous arguments about their cars defects before I could deal with mine !! Most also had expensive, top of the range company vehicles, so not just my small car which was affected. Not a good sign-I hated even going in there. Eventually, as we were getting nowhere, OH rang Citroen UK and moaned like mad. As he is pretty technical he had an answer to their comments and in the end, I got the repairs and replacements done under warranty. Would therefore second the comments about going up as high as you can with the manufacturer. I still have the car, though no longer use the main dealer. It is just so cheap to insure for my children to drive, and I feel guilty that, having encouraged them to take lessons and pass the driving test, that there should be a car for them to use when they come home from Uni etc. Best of luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
