Another question... advice again please

[SharkyUK]

Sorry to keep bombarding with all the questions of late... :lol: I'm after some more advice and opinions again please.

Following a recent trip to the Lake District my partner and I have noticed that the Trophy isn't quite as 'spritely' as usual so I carried out the usual checks (i.e. the things I can do considering I'm no mechanic) and all is well. I did have to add a half litre of oil to top her up (the first time I've ever needed to) and I put that down to a spirited drive the other week up and down the various passes... there's certainly no sign of leaks or oil being burned.

Responsiveness isn't quite what is should be, or at least it doesn't seem to be. My girlfriend's CTR is very responsive by comparison and I'm sure this shouldn't be the case. There is definitely a slight 'lag' that I hadn't noticed before, although it can still happily hug her CTR's rear bumper during acceleration (at least keeping the speeds sensible or less).

Anyhows, to cut a long story short I'm thinking of getting her looked at and fully serviced by an independant specialist and that's why I am looking for your recommendations, opinions and experiences. I'll probably get a few bits and pieces done to the car whilst in for the service / health check but would appreciate some names and suggestions as where to look. If the specialist is as good as people may say then I'm happy to travel to see them (the Good Lady and I regularly take 200-300 mile drives at weekends for fun!)

Thanks in advance gentle folk - appreciate you taking the time to read this.

 

[quik5i1ver]

They'd be a fair drive for you but I have no hesitation in recommending Rentech, as I'm sure a selection of others will agree. They may fit into your 200-300 mile distance..?

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Andy - Mine is going to Rentech next month for the 2nd time. They done my previous service & fitted my springs, I don't have a bad word to say about them.
I've also heard very good things about Mark Fish's place too.

HTHs mate

 

[duffer987]

Cmon, use search thats what its there for

 

[hoolio]

Can't speak more highly of Mark Fish, but he is a way away from you, Ren-tech would be the more obvious choice if you're coming from South Wales.

You sure the "problem" is not just one of it's many foibles, sometimes mine will seem a little slack and then on other days it really surprises me

 

[Luke335]

I had a problem with mine not feeling responsive, especially after sitting in traffic. No-one could find anything wrong with it. When I took the airbox out to fit a maxogen I found one of the air intake pipes into the airbox ( the one which doesn't go through the acoustic valve ) had collapsed and broken. It was sucking in hot air directly from the engine bay rather than from nearer the wheelarch. I've not seen any mention of this anywhere on here before.

 

[SharkyUK]

They'd be a fair drive for you but I have no hesitation in recommending Rentech, as I'm sure a selection of others will agree. They may fit into your 200-300 mile distance..?

Andy - Mine is going to Rentech next month for the 2nd time. They done my previous service & fitted my springs, I don't have a bad word to say about them.
I've also heard very good things about Mark Fish's place too.

HTHs mate

Cheers quik5i1ver and Lee. Sounds like Rentech could be the people to contact in that case. The 200-300 mile distance isn't really an issue to be fair as I'm willing to travel to get the car looked at by someone who knows Renaults inside out. Thanks for your replies - they do indeed help. Cheers guys.

Cmon, use search thats what its there for

I would normally fella but I'm really struggling at present and my 'Net time is limited! :lol: Seriously, I did/have done a search but I want 'reassurances' so I can make an educated choice! :lol:

Can't speak more highly of Mark Fish, but he is a way away from you, Ren-tech would be the more obvious choice if you're coming from South Wales.

You sure the "problem" is not just one of it's many foibles, sometimes mine will seem a little slack and then on other days it really surprises me

Another one for Rentech, although Mark Fish sounds interesting. One to check out I reckon. Thanks for the recommendations.

As for the foibles of the car... I did wonder myself as the car does seem very up and down (and the ECU seems to change 'profile' fairly quickly). That is, after a spirited drive at the weekend the car feels extraordinarily lively on my daily commute to and from work for the first half of the following week and then begins to 'dampen.' A good blast soon gets the car spritely again.

However, my partner has also noticed a degradation in the drive and peformance of the car and she knows a bit about Clio's (having owned a rather nicely modded 172 before getting her CTR). She has had problems getting it to turn over once or twice after it's been sat for a day or so and, for the first time today, it took me about 6-7 attempts before she'd fire up when I was leaving work. That's never happened before. To my limited eye everything appears ok though... hence why I really want a thorough and decent health check and service carried out.

I had a problem with mine not feeling responsive, especially after sitting in traffic. No-one could find anything wrong with it. When I took the airbox out to fit a maxogen I found one of the air intake pipes into the airbox ( the one which doesn't go through the acoustic valve ) had collapsed and broken. It was sucking in hot air directly from the engine bay rather than from nearer the wheelarch. I've not seen any mention of this anywhere on here before.

When I bought the Trophy it came with a very poorly fitted Hillpower something or other and I immediately put it back to stock. This resulted in a slight increase in responsiveness and a better pull even from low down the rev range. Still, I wasn't convinced that the entire stock air inbox/system was/is complete so you may well be right in that I have some defective component. I'm looking to replace the stock system at some point but it will have to wait until the brakes and a few other things are done. Thanks for the reply Luke.

Appreciate the feedback guys - cheers.

 

[Cue]

maybe the airfilter needs changing...

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Cheers quik5i1ver and Lee. Sounds like Rentech could be the people to contact in that case. The 200-300 mile distance isn't really an issue to be fair as I'm willing to travel to get the car looked at by someone who knows Renaults inside out. Thanks for your replies - they do indeed help. Cheers guys.

Andy - Plenty to do whilst the car is being worked on too down @ Rentech. Gunn Wharf Quay is only a 5 min train ride away mate. Lots of shops, places to eat & even a cinema iirc :wink:

Regarding the slow starting could it something as daft as the fuel filter being full of rubbish? A loose lead etc?