Renault megane belt noise

Does the Megane drive the waterpump off the cambelt? If so, and the screeching is coming from the cambelt area it could be the waterpump on the way out. Get it sorted now, if it seizes you'll lose the cambelt and cause much pain to your valves :)

Hellraiser..........>

It's in today having the cambelt changed. Yes, as far as I know the water pump is driven off it, and yes, it could be the water pump on the way out - could also be one of the tensioners or pulleys on the cambelt.

Hopefully that's all it is, not something else in the engine; I'm sure these French cars know when you're planning to sell them.....

Ouch, that'll cost you dear if it's a main Renault dealer (though less than if it breaks).

My daughter has a 2000(V) 1.6 Megane and was quoted £340-400 (depends on exactly which engine apparently as one type requires the tensioners replacing too) for a 72k service incl. cambelt and a regular major service is £~180.

Parish

Not at a main Renault dealer - the local Renault dealer is to be avoided at all costs £350 for the cambelt all inclusive. I'd always want the tensioners replaced - madness not to, IMO. However, the problem turns out to be the water pump - the pulley bearing was worn so it was making the noise. It least its been fixed *before* it seized, broke the belt, and trashed the engine. Why do they design cars so a failed water pump can knacker your engine instantly?

Yes, servicing is quite pricey for the Renault - one of the reasons we're selling it. Shame - it's a lovely car to drive, very comfortable, nice handling, very economical on fuel.

Anyone want to buy a nice 5 year old Megane 1.6 Auto with all mod cons (air con etc), 55K, gearbox replaced last summer, cambelt & water pump just changed. £3990 or offers. It's just outside Cambridge.

It's 5 years old - you don't *have* to take it to a main dealer for servicing, you know. And is it general servicing that's the expensive bit or things like replacing gearboxes? ;-)

Peter

Iit's never been serviced at a main dealer since we've had it, and I've no intention of taking it to one. Did I imply that? If so, I didn't mean to - it just gets serviced at the local garage.

Servicing is quite expensive even without the cost of replacing the gearbox; I was unpleasantly surprised at the cost of last summer's service.

Depends on the deign of the tensioner(s) I guess.

A crazy idea. Is the water pump driven off the back of the belt, i.e. by friction, rather than the toothed side? At least that should give some margin (you notice it overheating before the belt snapped) although I'd still want the belt replacing in that scenario.

I was pleased to discover that my Saab uses a chain drive for the cams - makes me feel a lot happier.

No thanks ;-)

Parish

Out of interest, how much was it, and what needed doing above the basic cost of the service, like brake discs/pads etc.?

Peter

It was around £200 - oil and coolant change, aircon refill, filters changed. I think that was it. At least the MOT was free (part of the deal when we bought the car was free MOTs for the life of the vehicle)

Yeah - we're replacing it with a Nissan Almera 1.8 Auto - also chain drive.

Hey - everything that could go wrong has done so.....

That's not all that expensive really, considering you got the aircon regassed, and the coolant changed as well.

I'd expect to pay around £100-120 for a proper annual service, about £50 to get the aircon regassed, and a bit extra for the coolant change. It won't be much different for all that lot, whatever car you've got.

But getting shot of a Renault with an auto box while everything's still working is definitely a good move though! ;-)

Peter

And probably will again before too long :-)

Peter