Noisy!

gdfmacfarlane · Dec 29, 2016

So I've only been out in my new Trophy a few times since I got it before Christmas, just had her out on a decent run today and is driving great except...

When I got back I noticed it was noisier under the bonnet than I had noticed before. After checking out a few other posts on the Forum I suspect it's the dephaser pulley. I'll stick a video link below, if anyone can have a wee listen and let me know what they think.

Car has done 73k miles, Belts were done in 2010 at 42k miles but no Dephaser according to history.

Any advice??

SharkyUK · Dec 29, 2016

Hi mate,

If the belts were last done in 2010 then I would highly recommend you don't drive it until you've had the cambelt, aux and dephaser changed for new items. Contact your local specialist and get it sorted asap. It's important to stick to the servicing intervals on these cars as tired and old cambelts can obviously cause a lot of hassle and engine damage (if they let go, and they have been known to!)

EDIT: I don't want to sound alarmist but the cambelt is one thing you shouldn't / can't really ignore on these cars

gdfmacfarlane · Dec 29, 2016

SharkyUK said:
Hi mate,

If the belts were last done in 2010 then I would highly recommend you don't drive it until you've had the cambelt, aux and dephaser changed for new items. Contact your local specialist and get it sorted asap. It's important to stick to the servicing intervals on these cars as tired and old cambelts can obviously cause a lot of hassle and engine damage (if they let go, and they have been known to!)

EDIT: I don't want to sound alarmist but the cambelt is one thing you shouldn't / can't really ignore on these cars :smile:

Already on the case getting prices for it locally. Was just wondering if anyone recognised the Tractor noise or not?!

Rik Perry · Dec 29, 2016

De phaser pulley most likely...

gdfmacfarlane · Dec 29, 2016

Tried two places, both looking around £600 for belts, water pump & dephaser

How does that sound to average prices?

TonkaTruck · Dec 29, 2016

Dephaser... £600 sounds about right. Where are you located and we'll see who we can recommend.
When I purchased my T it was on a 9 year old original belt!

gdfmacfarlane · Dec 29, 2016

I'm in west of Scotland, Tried local company Burnhouse Motorsport - £600, Also SWR in Stirling which is an hour's drive away - £620

SharkyUK · Dec 29, 2016

Ah - that's quite a distance away from any specialists I know! I would recommend Dan @ SJM in Glastonbury or Mick at Diamond Motors in Long Eaton. Sadly that's a good few hundred miles round trip for you...

Gordon · Dec 29, 2016

If the last time the belts (I presume by belts you meant timing and accessory belts) were changed was 2010 then they were due again in 2015.

The timing belt, tensioner and two idler pulleys (and dephaser pulley) should be changed every five years or 72,000 miles. The accessory belt, idler and tensioner pulleys are also every five years, but at 36,000 miles.

My understanding is that changing a timing belt, and not refreshing the dephaser pulley and all other bits related, is a false economy. To change the dephaser pulley you'd want to check the timing afterwards, so you'd change the timing belt and other idler and tensioner pulleys at the same time; after all it'll all be in pieces.

If purchased from Renault the timing belt kit comes with all the associated pulleys and tensioners. Same for the accessory (aux) belt kit. Many Renault dealers include the dephaser in a timing belt kit too and simply add the cost of it.

The prices you're being quoted seem about right.

Claude · Dec 29, 2016

I believe I'm right making the following correction - aux belt is 3 years, not 5:

Gordon said:
The timing belt, tensioner and two idler pulleys (and dephaser pulley) should be changed every five years or 72,000 miles.

The accessory belt, idler and tensioner pulleys are every three years or 36,000 miles.

MC1 · Dec 29, 2016

A dephaser usually makes a noise like a starter motor teeth slipping on starting the engine. Might be the way the phone records the sound but your engine sounds like valve probs possibly. Did it happen from startup or did it happen when driving?

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gdfmacfarlane · Dec 29, 2016

Thanks for all the advice, I understand the recommended service schedule. Like I said I have only had the car since last week and I'm in the process of planning jobs to be done. Once I find the right place it'll be going in for Timing belt, Aux belt, Dephaser pulley & water pump.
This will put everything back in line and I'll know where I stand with the car for the future!

gdfmacfarlane · Dec 29, 2016

MC1 said:
A dephaser usually makes a noise like a starter motor teeth slipping on starting the engine. Might be the way the phone records the sound but your engine sounds like valve probs possibly. Did it happen from startup or did it happen when driving?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I only noticed it after being out for a run, when the car was warm. I was thinking dephaser noise was more noticeable on a warm engine??
Hopefully it'll sound a lot better after servicing!

tannman · Dec 29, 2016

Definately dephaser pulley noisy, 2.0 litre f4r dephaser pulleys only rattle when warm.

1.6 litre k4m dephaser pulleys rattle on start up when cold.

MC1 · Dec 29, 2016

tannman said:
Definately dephaser pulley noisy, 2.0 litre f4r dephaser pulleys only rattle when warm.

1.6 litre k4m dephaser pulleys rattle on start up when cold.

Cheers tannman, left Renault a few years ago now so good for info [emoji106]

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Miller · Dec 29, 2016

Sorry to hear about this. But definitely something to get done asap but then peace of mind once done.

adam. · Dec 29, 2016

GI Motorsport Kilmarnock are worth a shot if not then Rentec in Edinburgh are fairly priced.

gdfmacfarlane · Dec 30, 2016

adam. said:
GI Motorsport Kilmarnock are worth a shot if not then Rentec in Edinburgh are fairly priced.

Cheers, I'll check them both out too!

Gordon · Dec 30, 2016

Claude said:
I believe I'm right making the following correction - aux belt is 3 years, not 5:

You may well be right Claude, as I think that's what RenTech Portsmouth said to me in 2008. Although the Renault Service Schedule booklet that came with the car states five years or 36,000 for the accessory belt.

Based on mileage alone, cars hitting 36,000 would have the accessory belt changed sooner than timing at 72,000. Perhaps this is where the three years vs. five years comes from.

Miller · Dec 30, 2016

Didn't Renault change and update all the schedules from what is in the hand books?