Advice please Mr H - Non Renault

Level 10 User Joined: 22 Mar 2005 Posts: 621

I've looked, most SEi's have the standard grey lower half Wink

The body coloured bumpers etc must have been an option at the time of purchase.

Thinking I might just have to go for it! It has low mileage, it's not a shitty colour, it has 5 doors and not alot of rust for an L reg car....oh yeah and it goes!

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

any car with a clutch that sometimes slips (it will still slip they don't stop until it goes bang) and the gearbox problem, if its ok now the oils changed its either ran without oil/low on oil/waters got in.

Go have a look and see what you think if you really want it.

Level 10 User Joined: 22 Mar 2005 Posts: 621

Do you think the slipping clutch will mean new clutch or could it be the cable? Either way, I'm prepared to replace the clutch.

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

could be either, also might be caused by other factors like leaking box (common problem the boxes are crap) or crank seal etc.

if your prepared to replace the clutch why not spend the cluthc money on a better car?

Level 10 User Joined: 22 Mar 2005 Posts: 621

coz I'm prepared to change the clutch eventually...not straight away. I honestly haven't seen anything better for that money chris. Plenty of Cavaliers around but need something that's economical and in the lower tax bracket.

Level 4 User Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 81

I doubt it would be the clutch cable. It's "self adjusting" which relies on a spring and I have found it to be not a very good design. The only thing I have ever found is that the spring can become jaded and the bite point will fall.

Oh by the way, it is an SEi, but apparently some of the earliest ones didn't come with all the options I mentioned above as standard.

Affiliate Joined: 28 Jan 2005 Posts: 360

The R65 gearbox isn't too bad on these unlike the Honda designed PG1 which was fitted to the 2.0ltr's. If the clutch is slipping then as Chris mentioned it could be worn clutch or crank shaft oil seal. In fact, the oil seals bathing the clutch in 10/40 is pretty common on medium to high mileage Roevrs and whilst the seal itself cost a measley Â£3 to get to it is a right pain.

Clutches can be changed without actually needing to remove the gearbox on the 1.4's by a person knowing what he or she is doing howerver Rover recomend the gearbox is removed and the gearbox oil if refilled despite the fact that they're "Filled for life". If you do get it done, make sure the driveshaft oil seals are replaced cos these to are rather fragile and if some numpty gets a big flat screw driver in the joint to remove the drive shafts, then chances are they're gonna fek em good and proper and these to are not pricey items. Clutches are also cheap and a full kit including pressure plate and thrust bearing will set you back no more than Â£68 and can be fitted in a day however I'd urge you to stay away from any Mr Clutch center as all the one's around me seem capable of ballsing this simple job up and then trying to get you to fork out for new master cylinders etc.

Level 10 User Joined: 22 Mar 2005 Posts: 621

Well, I got the car. Not sure if the clutch is slipping. What is happening is that when I'm driving along the rev's occasionally go up without the traction changing. The car still has traction tho' - it's not coasting. I'll be getting a mechanic friend to do any major work that's needed. First thing that needs done is a service and get the cambelt cover off and have a look. Apart from that I drove it back from Livingston today and it was great.

Site Subscriber Joined: 13 Oct 2004 Posts: 4722

showing sings of tbh.

do the old up a hill trick.

Level 10 User Joined: 22 Mar 2005 Posts: 621

Up a hill trick?

Site Subscriber Joined: 13 Oct 2004 Posts: 4722

do a hill start, if the car likes to rev a lot and dont seem to go up it very quickly sign of clutch slipping.

there are a few other test you can do, but thats the one i do.

mainly when im test driving a car i might buy.

Level 10 User Joined: 22 Mar 2005 Posts: 621

Will try that tommorrow...live at the top of a big hill which will be handy!

Site Subscriber Joined: 13 Oct 2004 Posts: 4722

must suck if you ride a bike..

Level 10 User Joined: 22 Mar 2005 Posts: 621

Bollocks! Car won't bloody well start! Started first time on Thursday, started first time every time yesterday, including the first start of the day! Today go out, starters making a noise but it's not turning over, I'm fooking pissed off now!

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

hahaha bought a lemon. I give the clutch a week before it explodes as well.

You wanna buy my white chamade? Its gettign an mot on it hopefully next week and I'll do you a good deal on it.

Level 10 User Joined: 22 Mar 2005 Posts: 621

Maybe Chris, but I did buy the car knowing that it might need the clutch. Fortunately it not being reno should only cost in the region of Â£50 to sort Wink

Anyway, seems really odd that it's been starting fine up til now.

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

lol renault parts are cheap, I find they tend to be cheaper than ford etc.

renautl clutch kit is about 40 quid for an oe valeo, a QH oe rover items abotu 70 quid.

Is the engine turning over at all? Whats the ocolant and oil look like?

Level 10 User Joined: 22 Mar 2005 Posts: 621

So far the parts I've looked at have been cheaper than Renault parts I've bought.

Coolant looks fine, oil needs changed but apart from that it's level and no signs of mayo.

Engine is not turning at all.

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

take the spark plugs out then try to turn it over.

Level 10 User Joined: 22 Mar 2005 Posts: 621

Time for a silly question then Smile

Do the HT Leads just pull off the spark plugs?

Site Subscriber Joined: 28 Jan 2005 Posts: 3547

yep! obviously grab the rubber sleeve, not just the cable!