21 Turbo 21 Turbo Quadra joins Renault 5 stable!

[r5gordini]

Thank you! That's what I thought, which is why I bought it. I have it a very cursory look over when I bought it as it seemed a pretty well sorted car. I have dxided I just want it sorteds. I'm not after concourse but I want it to be in a condition whereby I can just enjoy it.
So here is today's update:

The engine and box are in. Propshaft is connected (the right way round - it was wrong first but the mechanic spotted (fortunately)!

The clutch is all done and bled, seems to feel ok. The garage phoned me this morning to say that the Winner radiator from China didn't fit properly and so would I come down and have a look?

Indeed, it hadn't been made accurately enough. The bottom parts that go into the rubber mounts in the front rail were offset from where they should be and also had rather large conical end pieces on them which prevented them from going through the rubber bushes into the front rail. So I filed the conical ends down enough so they fitted into the rubber bushes and then persuaded the radiator to fit. With a reciprocating tolerance adjuster (hammer)!

I had to space out the offside bracket with some spacers (I just happened to have them. I think they came from an old TV wall mount)! But the nearside bracket fitted ok.

I want to fit some slimline fans but that can be something I do at my leisure later on.

 

[andybond]

LOL @ the rubber glove on the turbo !

 

[DaveL485]

tossed away like a rhino for it's horns.

Good analogy!

 

[r5gordini]

Hmmm. A bit of a sorry tale. I wrote a humourous version but my phone messed up and I lost it! So here's a sad version...

Garage has had the engine running. However, there was a strange chirping noise which went away when the clutch pedal was lightly depressed. Then something went "clunk" and the engine stopped! The garage says everything looks fine but it sounds like a clutch problem or a problem with the gearbox. If the clutch is depressed, the eninge turns over, but without that it is solid. They ommitted the pictured spacers, which were fitted before, between the bellhousing and the clutch slave. They're not Renault original so they were not refitted as my mechanic thought they were a problem.

Does anyone have any thoughts or words of wisdom/encouragement at this dark time? The garage guys are just as upset as I am, in fact, more so, given all the time and effort they have put into it!

 

[DaveL485]

If the engine won't turn over without the clutch depressed then it's the drivetrain locking it up.

Is the car in gear? Is the car trying to move when you try and start it? Have the driveshafts and prop been correctly refitted? If thats all OK, and you're sure it's not in gear (linkages right?) then you must assume it's a 'box issue. If the clutch disengages the "lock up" then engine and clutch cover are rotating OK.
Can you turn the wheels at each corner or is the whole lot locked up?

Note: The rod from the slave looks a little long, assume it's the ph3 original rod. If the fork isn't loose to waggle with the pedal up and it maintains pressure on the release bearing, you need to shorten it. Easy enough though, you can remove the ph1 slave without worrying about the bleeding shizzle DON'T press the pedal down while its out though!

 

[DaveL485]

...oh and you did right to omit those spacers. Probably fitted to overcome issues with the non-bleedable slave....common bodge.

 

[r5gordini]

Thanks Dave! Looks like the gearbox is foooooooobared. As per our recent discussion.
They have drained the 'box oil and it's full of filings. They are already pulling out the engine and box again!
Don't think I can fault the garage. In fact I am glad I'm not doing the job!
Andrew

 

[r5gordini]

I might need that 'box that @Kondas21 mentioned! I am very hopeful that the transmission specialist will admit liabilty. As far as I understand it, the box has seized. They gave some cock and bull story about the fact that it should have been driven immediately, not idled. And also made up some kind of spurious explanation about the type of 'box it was to support this fact.
I think it's total rubbish, as does my garage!
They've already managed to haul it all out and the 'box is ready to be picked up for inspection tomorrow. I'm shipping back all the bits of the other (knackered) box and I hope that a good one can be constructed. I also hope that the transmission guys will pay for the extra labour required!
Very disappointing.
Andrew

 

[andybond]

You dont expect that kind of service from a specialist. Admit failure and go from there.

 

[r5gordini]

Agreed, and the strange thing is that my garage has worked with this specialist for many years and has an excellent relationship with them! So it's stupid to try and pull the wool over their eyes.

Will update later on. Hopefully the gearbox will be stripped and evaluated by the end of the day.

Andrew

 

[DaveL485]

I also hope that the transmission guys will pay for the extra labour required!

Hope? Pfft, there's no Hope about it. If they don't slap them with trading standards and the ombudsman. I'd probably have had the box independently assessed to determine the cause of the issue too, just to bang that final nail in the coffin.
If they couldn't build the box then they should have turned the work away. I can forgive errors, we all make them. I would absolutely not forgive the bullshit story to try and palm responsibility though..... thats totally unprofessional and downright rude.

 

[r5gordini]

Yep. You're right. The story is rubbish and should not be excused. I trust my garage to push for a resolution. More later.
A.

 

[Kondas21]

This is really sad to hear Andrew. If you read my thread you will see that's kind of how I got hold of a knackered box... rebuilt by a specialist and exploded 57 or so miles later! Specialist my ass. I had mine rebuilt by a bloke who usually workes on motorbikes and my box is fine since. Don't give up though, and get you revenge on those "specialists" if you can! Good luck!

 

[r5gordini]

Thank you! The transmission specialist is trusted. They have been working with my garage for the best part of thirty years.

Apparently one of the new bearings has failed. There was no oil getting to it? Sounds hard to believe. My garage double/triple checked the oil before starting the engine. I only hope that it works the second time round! We will all be very nervous at that first start-up!

My garage will over fill the gearbox and then drain it before starting it.

It just sounds like it was incorrectly assembled. A newly worked on box shouldn't just seize. After all, how would I ever drive it to stop it seizing? Surely it's just right or wrong!

My garage even measured the oil they got out of it - the correct amount so they are pretty darn sure they filled it with the correct amount.

Ah well, it's nothing I have done! I just want my car back in a working condition!

 

[DaveL485]

My garage will over fill the gearbox and then drain it before starting it.

This is how you fill it anyway, you push oil into the filler plug until it overflows out of the same plug hole. Same on all JB, JC, UN, NG period transmissions. You have to use a pipe smaller than the hole so it can get back out when it reaches the level.

I'd agree that it was incorrectly assembled.

 

[r5gordini]

It's alliiivvveee!!!!
Box is back and engine is running! Nothing untoward at the moment, however... The clutch master cylinder is leaking. It seems to be the low pressure return around the fitting for the union in the master itself. I have told the garage to use some sealant around it if it's the only way to fix it.

Are new masters available from Renault? Does anyone have a known good one?

 

[la21t]

Hi mate.....so many tags and I've not noticed any of them.

New masters are available.....call Ramesh at R&R in Luton on 01582420259 mine was £124+vat, he's an excellent supplier of all things Renault inc brand new OE clutches.
For a new slave speak to Dave or myself as the transmission guy Dave spoke of gets them and new forks too.

The track rod end from Benver arrived but I've not used it as I'm currently using the sleeved ones with no issue.
As for the springs, they're no different to any other spring I've ever tackled.....I think Dave's a tart and cant believe a garage wont touch them. I do them between knees with Draper clamps, a spanner and allen key.

Great thread btw

 

[la21t]

As for that box......naughty practise that. I had an issue with my first one when Chris (the retired gent Dave mentioned) fitted my Quaife diff and recon'd the whole box, I rarely use the car so was unaware the primary shaft seal wasn't sealing properly until a year later when my new clutch started slipping after 900miles.

Took the box off and the bellhousing was full of oil, clutch useless.....drove the box from London to Telford (to Chris) he said 'give me a week' and rang me on the Wednesday saying
'Lee I'm sorry I don't know how I managed it but I did anyway I've rebuilt it with a new seal and a new primary shaft too oh and I noticed 1st and 2nd were a bit tired so I fitted some syncros from the Ascari and doubled up the springs for you hope thats ok'

Blown away, especially as when I arrive the following week to collect he had a beer waiting and offered me the fuel money too......I couldnt accept the fuel, I drive a Prius for work.

 

[DaveL485]

It's alliiivvveee!!!!
Box is back and engine is running! Nothing untoward at the moment, however... The clutch master cylinder is leaking. It seems to be the low pressure return around the fitting for the union in the master itself. I have told the garage to use some sealant around it if it's the only way to fix it.

Are new masters available from Renault? Does anyone have a known good one?

Got a pic? Do you mean the plastic nozzle where it pulls fluid from the resovoir?
I trust the new braided pressure line is OK?

I think I know where there is a new master for about seventy quid if you decide you want one.

 

[r5gordini]

Master is sorted! I think it was just the juniper clip for the feed from the reservoir. Easy fix!

Engine has now been run up to temperature and the front end mostly assembled. I worked with the guys for half an hour on it this morning.

Remaining jobs are to fit the brake hoses and bleed the brakes. Apparently the bleed nipples look ok but I will be surprised if they are!

Then need to re-torque the head bolts and set valve clearances.