rik1471

Took my N Reg Clio 16V for a £200 intermediate service on Saturday. Today the car failed to start. Called out Green Flag who informed me that my fluid level was empty. Some distilled water and a recharge, all is well.

Green Flag suggested this should have been checked, does anyone work for Renault/Service Center and know if this should be checked or not??

If my girlfriend was using the car, she would have been stranded in a very unsavoury part of Manchester.

brickboy

Dunno about Renault service schedules but every car I've ever owned has had a "battery check" included as part of the annual / 12,000 service routine.

DOubt you'd have any joy with the dealer tho' -- they'd just say "it was fine when our technician looked at it" or some b*llocks.

P20SPD

iTrader: (1)

Local garage checked my wifes Jeep when it went in for service. Could not believe how she managed to start it, the battery was that low.

Steven

rik1471

Does the battery level have any affect on the voltage, cause the service manager said they're all tested for power/voltage, but not for levels as they're 'sealed units'. Funny, now it's been topped up it's fine. He stinks of bull.

jhdee

Yes, low distilled water levels in one or more cells will significantly reduce the battery's charge capacity.

How did Green Flag top up the distilled water if its a sealed unit ???

Had a similar problem with an Espace some years ago - 4 days out of major service the auto box started to slip. Cause - low oil level. When challenged the dealer said it was a - you guessed it - "sealed unit". Cost £1500 for an exchange gearbox - don't own a Renault no more and probably never will again.

Suggest you give the Service Manager a good flaming and if that don't work ask to see the General Manager.

Victor Meldrew mode off.

brickboy

As JHDee sez, if the levels are low, or exposing the top of the battery plates, those cells will not hold a full charge and the battery will a) not store sufficient power and b) could be f*cked.

rik1471

The service sheet states "check battery llevels and top up if necessary" - this has been ticked, but the battery level was completely flat 6 days later. [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]

CarpetCleaner

we only use sealed ones when they're fecked they are fecked