preRS Clio Mk I Clio Baccara with faulty gearbox - advice please?

[r5gordini]

Hi All,

I've just been called by my local friendly garage - they've got a 1992 Clio Baccara in from an elderly lady with an automatic gearbox fault.
Their transmission specialist says it's likely to be 1st/2nd gear valve chest (just repeating the words said to me), which may no longer be available?

The car is in amazing condition, having covered 40,000 miles. Leather interior, etc., etc...

Advice as to its value?
Advice as to its fixability?
Anyone on here interested in it? I am considering it...

Andrew

 

[r5gordini]

Oh the symptoms are that it's reluctant to change into 1st or 2nd but changes into third just fine (I think)

 

[r5gordini]

Is there another gearbox from a later Clio or similar that would fit?

 

[r5gordini]

I think, even with its low mileage and excellent condition, it's only worth a few hundred pounds. I've done some research and found some driving examples for £350-£500. Fixing the gearbox may cost £500+

 

[DaveL485]

Do you really need another project?

Do you know about auto boxes?

Are you going to make enough money on it to make it worth the effort?

Are you catching my drift yet?

 

[r5gordini]

Yes, I am. And sage advice, Dave. I am already overwhelmed and am considering slimming back my collection somewhat.

Thought it could be a decent runaround for my partner to replace her Citigo. I have just been to see the car but decided against buying it.

I would recommend it to anyone who has one already and needs spare interior parts or wants to upgrade a standard Clio as it's all in good condition. Issues identified with the car include: leaking sunroof (taped up), rust on o/s rear wheel arch and a few dinks.

I'll post some photos shortly.

Andrew

 

[DaveL485]

leaking sunroof (taped up), rust on o/s rear wheel arch and a few dinks.

40, 400, 40,000 or 400,000 miles, thats going straight to the scrap yard.

 

[r5gordini]

Oh yeah - it's actually done 60K. Sad when top of the range, unusual cars like this can't be saved.

 

[DaveL485]

Sad when top of the range, unusual cars like this can't be saved.

Shredder fodder. An old lady car thats done the job it was built for, its not special, remarkable, definable. Like a pair of slippers, once its goosed throw it in the bin.

Would you keep your nan's broken food blender cos it was top of the range in 1988? Or your grandads burned out black and decker lawn mower from 1992?

Same principle.

 

[la21t]

Did it still have the suit carrier under the parcel shelf?

i always thought the Baccara was sa waste of time and effort in the first place.

 

[r5gordini]

Did it still have the suit carrier under the parcel shelf?.

yep! All present and correct.

Here's the photo album.

It's a bit like the R5 Monaco. Same idea. I always fancied one but I've always preferred having a higher performance car over "luxury". I did have a mk I Renault 5 TX and would have another if I got the chance but there are probably a lot of other cars I would have ahead of one...

 

[r5gordini]

Photo album

 

[Red21]

Do you know which auto box it has?, AD4 4 speed or MB1 3speed

 

[r5gordini]

I think it's the 4 speed as it has 123D on the selector.

Andrew

 

[Red21]

In their day these "A" boxes were high maintenance compared to the 3 speed "M" box and at 40k the oil & filter will require replacement (36k service item) as a blocked filter will cause incorrect oil pressure/ starvation which if left will damage the clutches.
Without plugging the XR25 on it to read pressures & other data the common issues were,
Oil pressure sensor leaking internally & externally allowing oil to capillary up the sensor wiring into the ECU and sometimes shorting the circuit board plus a low oil level.
To check this disconnect the 3 pin plug from the ECU (#4) and check for signs of oil.
Then there was sticky shuttle valves in the hydraulic block due to old oil & crap, this required the valve block to be removed & very carefully cleaned .
Incorrect adjustment of the brake switch or brake signal back feed due to incorrect bulbs or faulty rear lights
and finally power supply & earthing, If the fuse blows or the wiring is poor the default gears are 2nd hydraulic & 3rd mechanical and may not always bring the light on as places tended to leave the diag socket cover off or cut the bridge pins.
All these were simple but time consuming fixes and once past a certain age most people just left them & then screamed at us when the box eventually failed or it was to late.

 

[r5gordini]

Very interesting! I'll see if I can send the info on to my garage. I did decide not to buy the car.
Andrew