1.4 sx Petrol engine clatter

I am a new member living in Plymouth.

Just bought for my wife a C3 automatic 53 plate as her renault scenic mk1 was written off following a side swipe by a transit truck.

My wife already had severe back pain and now its many times worse. Buying a C3 was made on the basis that it would rides bumps and speed humps better than another scenic.

The engine has done 60000 miles from new and I have seen the MOT history. Had been doing very low mileage per annum. Did have problems with the gearbox in that it was not liking 1st but the garage (which i bough as sold as seen) did change the transmission oil and all is well on that front.

What I am not happy about is the clatter of the engine (sounds like a tractor). The garage did say they are a bit clattery. I know nothing about the make up of the engine but more I listen to it and more I listen I am not happen. Drives just fine, starts 1st time every time. Just hate the engine noise. I would therefore like some help please on identifying what the problem is and what i need to do to get it running quietly (ish)

Thanks

Bob

bobbybiscuit wrote:My wife already had severe back pain and now its many times worse. Buying a C3 was made on the basis that it would rides bumps and speed humps better than another scenic.

Hi bobbybiscuit, I have never driven a scenic but the C3 is not known for its smooth or refined suspension ride, its average at best but older car are often left without suspension maintenance and the ride gets from average to poor.

bobbybiscuit wrote:What I am not happy about is the clatter of the engine (sounds like a tractor). The garage did say they are a bit clattery. I know nothing about the make up of the engine but more I listen to it and more I listen I am not happen. Drives just fine, starts 1st time every time. Just hate the engine noise. I would therefore like some help please on identifying what the problem is and what i need to do to get it running quietly (ish)

Often low mileage users can skip oil changes, for what reason? I don't know, but basics like poor oil change routine can cause worn engine and clatter. But you need to diagnose if its an ancillary, the top end (cam) or the bottom end (like the TVD crank pulley) or maybe a bad exhaust manifold. You will need to pop the bonnet and have a good listen to see if you can track down the source.

Check the oil level with the dip-stick too.

I have checked the oil level and it looks quite clean but I am playing safe and replacing the oil and oil filter. I will take a video of the engine running and scan around different parts of the engine and post it on here. Thanks for the reply.

bobbybiscuit wrote: I will take a video of the engine running and scan around different parts of the engine and post it on here. Thanks for the reply.

This is a good way to go, thanks.

Please find link to youtube re video of my engine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zE9L_3n ... e=youtu.be

Sounds like tappets from an engine run with no oil in it. Don't buy.

I have already bought the car a few weeks back. There is oil in the engine at correct level but I am going to do an oil change and oil filter change. I think I will do an engine flush aswell before hand. Sounds like tappets I agree but I don't know if they have tappets. Car starts and drives as it should. Any ideas what noise is and what to do to fix it.

C3CAR wrote:Sounds like tappets from an engine run with no oil in it.

Worn cam and followers

bobbybiscuit wrote:I have already bought the car a few weeks back. There is oil in the engine at correct level but I am going to do an oil change and oil filter change. I think I will do an engine flush aswell before hand. Sounds like tappets I agree but I don't know if they have tappets. Car starts and drives as it should. Any ideas what noise is and what to do to fix it.

If the parts are worn, like the cam shaft and the followers then new oil or even a flush won't put back the metal that has been removed.

If there is oil in there now, that is no indication that there has been oil in there in the past.

A trick in selling a car is to do an oil change just before its sold to disguise problems with the oil and the engine, so be wary of buying a car with very fresh oil.

To fix the problem you will need to remove the cam cover in your picture and check that cam is not worn, the followers and all the bits of the head that get worn. If its very bad you may be better off changing the whole head with a reconditioned one.

If you wanted some diagrams of the cam and those top end parts, I recommend the Haynes manual for the C3 from Amazon (click here).

I think you can learn a fair bit about the previous owners attitude to car upkeep by listening to the engine, taking a test drive and having a good look over and under a car before purchase.

The history of the car is that it was a lady owner for about 8 years. She had it off the road for 2 years before a garage bought it. I bought from a garage as sold as seen. I did express concern that it was abit noisey. I did have gearbox problems initially and he came down from birmingham to plymouth to do a oil change for me. He also solved a few other problems. I text him and he said he will come to plymouth in near future and will combine the car repair with a weekend away.

I think he will keep to his word. Been very genuine so far.

As the car has been stood for a long period it's possible some of the galleries (small holes through the engine block where oil flows) are blocked or partially blocked.

It might be worth adding an engine cleaner/flush to the oil, this thins the oil and is supposed to dissolve deposits as the engine runs before being removed and replaced with fresh oil.

Using a product like this carries risks. It is possible for larger pieces of sediment to break free, these can then completely block a gallery and starve parts the engine completely from oil. Use with caution.