Bloody Renault!
26 June 2013, 12:31 PM
#1
Bloody Renault!
Six weeks ago our family car, Grand Scenic suddenly died on me on the motorway, fortunately not too far away from home. Renault assist came out and towed me back to a dealership that had gone into administration. We (RAC and myself) to leave the car at this location, and inform Renault to collect the car from this location and fix the problem as it was under 3 years old. 2 weeks went by and I collect the car from a new dealership having had a replacement engine, after the oil pump seized which according to an unnamed mechanic from Renault is "common" around the 30'000 (over three years I think they hope).
Anyway having had it back around 4 weeks, today I noticed a haze of smoke under boost, the heater isn't getting warm, so when I pulled over noticed that its letting steam out from under the bonnet. Oil although hot is current and the water isn't contaminated. So I was only 5 miles ironically from the dealership so I tickled it there and spoke to the main service area, can you hazard a guess at their response?
Anyway having had it back around 4 weeks, today I noticed a haze of smoke under boost, the heater isn't getting warm, so when I pulled over noticed that its letting steam out from under the bonnet. Oil although hot is current and the water isn't contaminated. So I was only 5 miles ironically from the dealership so I tickled it there and spoke to the main service area, can you hazard a guess at their response?
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26 June 2013, 03:56 PM
#12
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Is there a prize if we get the right answer?
The put on a poor French accent and said
"Aw-he-haw, he haw, zees is not, ow you zay, owa problem, you Engleesh peeg."
I bet there's nothing wrong with it. You're Romain Grosjean, and I claim my prize
The put on a poor French accent and said
"Aw-he-haw, he haw, zees is not, ow you zay, owa problem, you Engleesh peeg."
I bet there's nothing wrong with it. You're Romain Grosjean, and I claim my prize
26 June 2013, 07:20 PM
#13
Some good responses 
Once arrived with steam pluming from the bonnet, I couldn't even get anyone to look at the car, although here was no shortage of staff! And as it hasn't technically broken down, it needs to be booked in, the earliest opportunity was two weeks Thursday! I suggested they LOOK at it now, as it may cause serious/further damage if left untouched, they also informed me that I would not be permitted a courtesy car as again we have not broken down and I was kind of asked to go quietly on my way.
I informed Renault of these facts just before I left: "Its a new engine 4 weeks ago, and had not been back to the garage since the work was undertaken, now there is Steam coming fom under the bonnet, smoke coming from the rear of the car (exhaust) on boost, Smoke coming from the Oil filler cap when unscrewed, and no warm air coming from the heater, I suspect head gasket failure, are you sure you can't look at it now?" Answer, sorry no we need to book it in!
I left quite miffed, needless to say I managed to get home ok although there is a strange smell now coming in the cabin! Roll on July 26th when I get our new non Renault family motor but with another Renault engine ;(. Where's that cooling off form!
Rob
Once arrived with steam pluming from the bonnet, I couldn't even get anyone to look at the car, although here was no shortage of staff! And as it hasn't technically broken down, it needs to be booked in, the earliest opportunity was two weeks Thursday! I suggested they LOOK at it now, as it may cause serious/further damage if left untouched, they also informed me that I would not be permitted a courtesy car as again we have not broken down and I was kind of asked to go quietly on my way.
I informed Renault of these facts just before I left: "Its a new engine 4 weeks ago, and had not been back to the garage since the work was undertaken, now there is Steam coming fom under the bonnet, smoke coming from the rear of the car (exhaust) on boost, Smoke coming from the Oil filler cap when unscrewed, and no warm air coming from the heater, I suspect head gasket failure, are you sure you can't look at it now?" Answer, sorry no we need to book it in!
I left quite miffed, needless to say I managed to get home ok although there is a strange smell now coming in the cabin! Roll on July 26th when I get our new non Renault family motor but with another Renault engine ;(. Where's that cooling off form!
Rob
26 June 2013, 07:32 PM
#14
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I would complain to dealer principal in person very sternly,if you cant get near him email him,then back it up by making a big complaint to Renault uk.I did this when a Jaguar main dealer tried to shaft me,it made a world of difference.
26 June 2013, 08:16 PM
#19
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Why do people buy French cars? They are and always have been, pants!
I have news for you - that engine is NOT new, it was just fixed (or an old one put in) ... it is a falacy that a new warranty means new replacement items on failure.
The Honda garage told me last week that, if an alternator bearing goes then Honda pay for them to replace the bearing ONLY! I was under the impression that the whole alternator would be swapped ...... no! And so it is that your engine isn't new at all ... !!
I have news for you - that engine is NOT new, it was just fixed (or an old one put in) ... it is a falacy that a new warranty means new replacement items on failure.
The Honda garage told me last week that, if an alternator bearing goes then Honda pay for them to replace the bearing ONLY! I was under the impression that the whole alternator would be swapped ...... no! And so it is that your engine isn't new at all ... !!
26 June 2013, 08:22 PM
#20
You know me well enough Maz, I'm a relatively cool kind of guy. My day job means my character is always relatively a "matter of fact" kind of chap. I rarely lose my cool, but when I do, lets just say I'm not a person you want to answer back too
Rob
26 June 2013, 08:27 PM
#21
Oi don't put me in the same category as them lot
I guessed this would be the case, but whatever the situation the fact is its still under three year old, so whatever the fix, they should fix it even if its been shortcut/quick fixed. Now it's starting to fail again it bothers me not as I have done more than enough to try and "nip it in the bud". I just hope if/when it fails the mrs doesn't have the nippers with her.
Why do people buy French cars? They are and always have been, pants!
I have news for you - that engine is NOT new, it was just fixed (or an old one put in) ... it is a falacy that a new warranty means new replacement items on failure.
The Honda garage told me last week that, if an alternator bearing goes then Honda pay for them to replace the bearing ONLY! I was under the impression that the whole alternator would be swapped ...... no! And so it is that your engine isn't new at all ... !!
I have news for you - that engine is NOT new, it was just fixed (or an old one put in) ... it is a falacy that a new warranty means new replacement items on failure.
The Honda garage told me last week that, if an alternator bearing goes then Honda pay for them to replace the bearing ONLY! I was under the impression that the whole alternator would be swapped ...... no! And so it is that your engine isn't new at all ... !!
26 June 2013, 08:39 PM
#22
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I suspect that you have got an engine where then head had failed - you got their bottom end and kept your head (pardon the pun!) ....... i think you are right, the head gasket may have failed.
26 June 2013, 08:41 PM
#23
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I had problems with our last Scenic and the dealership in Peterborough couldn't do enough for us - eventually found a dry joint on a sensor but the fault baffled them. It never broke down, just lost power but every time they took it back and gave us a courtesy car.
As mentioned I would go direct to Renault UK.
As mentioned I would go direct to Renault UK.
26 June 2013, 08:45 PM
#24
Don't worry rob now that you have learned your lesson and new car should be with you soon you'll forget about it. And ffs a Renault engine again
What you getting this time then? (you want to make sure you buy reliable for family as you don't want them stranded in danger)
26 June 2013, 08:45 PM
#25
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We spent £1100 trying to sort out the ailing engine in my stepson's 'S' reg Migraine a few years back, and got a "refund" on that of £50 from the scrap yard a few weeks later as they took it away to crush it.
The clue's in the way you pronounce the name: Ren-NO!
Having said that about one French manufacturer, my 2002 Berlingo van has been brilliant for over six years (until tomorrow, of course....)
The clue's in the way you pronounce the name: Ren-NO!
Having said that about one French manufacturer, my 2002 Berlingo van has been brilliant for over six years (until tomorrow, of course....)
26 June 2013, 08:54 PM
#26
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That one of the reasons I didn't buy a 182 for a weekend/track toy and bought a gay hairdresser car instead although I was tempted with the Clio as its good fun, good job I didn't
Don't worry rob now that you have learned your lesson and new car should be with you soon you'll forget about it. And ffs a Renault engine again
What you getting this time then? (you want to make sure you buy reliable for family as you don't want them stranded in danger)
Don't worry rob now that you have learned your lesson and new car should be with you soon you'll forget about it. And ffs a Renault engine again
What you getting this time then? (you want to make sure you buy reliable for family as you don't want them stranded in danger)
bmw330 d msport next
see if there any better
26 June 2013, 09:50 PM
#30
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Clearly you have reason to complain in this instance !
Are french made any more/less reliable even electrically than anyone else per capita.?
I doubt it
Are french made any more/less reliable even electrically than anyone else per capita.?
I doubt it