Loose intake grille

[Sarria]

I was cleaning my Clio yesterday and when I was doing the side pods I realised that one of the plastic grilles was totally loose from one side. It will come back to place but just a bit worried that the part will come apart totally and go into the fan.

Does anyone have an idea of what could this be before me trying to remove the pod?

 

[RUSSO]

Inigo, the plastic grille is screwed in to the side pod with 3 or 4 small torque head screws but the little metal inserts they screw into rust a bit!!!!
Remove the side pods as below using the two screws, top one easy but the back one will need an extension bar through the grille. Then try tightening up the grille :approve:


I've removed the metal inserts in the past re-tapped them and bonded back in with Araldite epoxy glue and not had any problems since :approve:

 

[Spike]

Mine also rattle, cannot be bothered to even try the screws but cannot see them going anywhere. point to note: do not break anything or it will break your bank!

 

[ColinG]

One of mine rattles too, as spike says it's not going anywhere so I'm leaving well alone

 

[Sarria]

Thanks guys for the advice, I think I'm going to try fixing it with Russo's instructions rather than leaving it in there hanging.

I'll let you know what happens...

 

[Sarria]

I tried to reach the screw with 2 extenders but it wasn't long enough still! The screw is miles away!

What I've done in the end is putting a bit of epoxy resin in the corner of the grille to stick to the pod, now it stays in place at least... :approve:

 

[Sarria]

...Not anymore, the grille came loose again!

I've ordered a proper extender to reach the inside screw and have managed to take the air intake off.

Horrible surprise to see how 2 of the 3 tabs that hold the grille were broken and the thread brass inserts came off with the rusty screws! The middle one was hardly holding the grille as it was cracked. I've glued the inserts and broken bits again and reinforced them with structural epoxy resin, also cleaned the screws and washers to remove the rust. I'll fit it back this weekend and maybe remove the other one to check the status of it.

 

[craigy990]

See I can't rest !! That's really informative! Thank u ! It's really good to see something you have never seen ! Now I really have to go to bed !! Curiosity! wow !

 

[Lankan]

Interesting to hear how fragile the pod grills, and associated fixtures, appear to be. Has your fix worked, and is it holding strong?

 

[phillv6]

One of my side grills went the same way :rollseyes: managed to glue and strengthen it with a piece of plastic sheet, will do the other side before that one breaks as well.

 

[Chris V6 255]

Mine has snapped off tonight
Think I'm going to have to look at a replacement grill.

I'm assuming it's not advisable to drive without the grill as debris from the road could damage the fan.

 

[Chris V6 255]

 

[Jamesv6]

fit a bit of mesh in there until you get it sorted?

 

[Kett]

That looks easily repairable. The fixings are out of sight - I wouldn't replace tbh.

 

[Chris V6 255]

Will have to get some tips off our resident fabrications expert Russo

 

[RUSSO]

Will have to get some tips off our resident fabrications expert Russo

:rofl:

Depends if you want the easy way or OEM??

Easiest repair would be to remove the side pod clean up both the inner lip and grille then bond back in positon. Probably look towards something like Tiger seal Link

The second way would be to buy new grills [smilie=icon_eek.gif] or somehow build up and graft new material to the fixings. You might also have to remove, clean up and reinsert the 3 small threaded inserts on the inner lip that secure grille to the side pod as these become rusted!!!!!