Renault Laguna '00 trouble

Tea_Bag

So my mom's got a Laguna with ~108 000 miles on the clock, which i know is high, but she's kept it uptodate with oil changes and belts etc.
When she was heading back from Dublin (to Limerick) the car kept breaking down via complete loss of power. after pulling over it restarted fine and went for a few more miles, then breaking down again. took 7 hours to limp home after the AA called out.
We took it to mechanic, and the only fault he could find was a small hole in the exchaust near the manifold, and he changed the air filter, but said it shouldnt have caused the problem. He refered us to a Auto Elecronic specialist, who put the car on a few tests and plugged it into his diagnostic computer, which brought up zero faults. It seems to drive fine now, but im still worried as she's heading to Dubz this weekend again, and I'd hate her to go through that again.

She also had the same problem on her previous car, also a Laguna, '97 model, but before finding a solution the car's gearbox and engine went through catastrophic failure and was trashed.

Renault Limerick refuse to see the car, "as it is too old" 2000 is most definately not old. if it becomes classic (not that it would) do they suddenly chance their minds?

Anyway sorry for the long banter, my basic question is has anyone ever come across this, and more importantly solved the issue? google got me nowhere, as i dont really know how to name the fault..

Thanks for reading!

Tea_Bag

If it helps, the temperature guage said it was well within normal temperatures and the engine didnt seem to be overheating...

Anan1

Tea_Bag wrote: »

Renault Limerick refuse to see the car, "as it is too old" 2000 is most definately not old.

That's insane! I'd ring Renault Ireland and ask is that company policy - I can't imagine that it is. You really want to get the car on diagnostics to find the problem.

Thoie

When you say loss of power, were the electrics still electricing or did everything die completely?

I had a problem with a Megane once where I was driving along and it just died (just before it died it started acting a bit weird when changing gears). An AA man and 4 mechanics later, I happened to notice myself that the rubbery bit over one of the spark plugs (spark boot?) was loose. Took it off, wiped all around with a tissue I found in my pocket (possibly not recommended), stuck rubbery bit back on, and all was well with the world and has been ever since.

May not have any bearing on your problem, but worth a look - and if it is that, show your mother where they are and give her a torch (just in case). Talking of which, why isn't there a light under the bonnet that comes on when you open it, same as you have in the boot?

Tea_Bag

Anan1 wrote: »

That's insane! I'd ring Renault Ireland and ask is that company policy - I can't imagine that it is. You really want to get the car on diagnostics to find the problem.

Yeah good idea i think Ill be doing that in the morning. It's rediculous that they can afford to be so full of **** in this

economic recession

Thoie wrote: »

When you say loss of power, were the electrics still electricing or did everything die completely?

Electrics in the car worked fine, loss of power was like a lack of petrol or something. there was more than half a tank of gas in the car AFAIK..

Thoie wrote: »

I happened to notice myself that the rubbery bit over one of the spark plugs (spark boot?) was loose. Took it off, wiped all around with a tissue I found in my pocket (possibly not recommended), stuck rubbery bit back on, and all was well with the world and has been ever since.

I'll most certainly be checking that when i see her. Its a positive solution as far as Im concerned.. hope it works..

Thoie wrote: »

Talking of which, why isn't there a light under the bonnet that comes on when you open it, same as you have in the boot?

We shouldnt need a light as in the car shouldn't bloody be breaking down in the first place!
French cars though... what you sacrafice in speed and reliability you make up in comfort.

Guy:Incognito

TBH I wouldnt be going near a main dealer with a 9 year old car. A good (recommended by someone if posible) independant will alwasy be a better (and cheaper) option. Definately bang a letter/email off to Renault Ireland about the attitude though.

Give the lads on Renault forurms a shout, I'd imagine they'll have seen it before, they seem to be able come back with answers to very obscure questions so I'd say this is a handy one for them (link is in my sig)

Guy:Incognito

Tea_Bag wrote: »

Electrics in the car worked fine, loss of power was like a lack of petrol or something. there was more than half a tank of gas in the car AFAIK..

Intermittant fuel pump issue or dirty filter maybe?



Woops that was meant to be in one post.:)

Tea_Bag

Stekelly wrote: »

Intermittant fuel pump issue or dirty filter maybe?



Woops that was meant to be in one post.:)

I changed the fuel filter about 5 months ago. how often would someone normally change that? how often do people change their air filters too?
i really hope its not the fuel pump, that sounds like €€€

I cant see your signature... or anyone's for that matter.. have i disabled it somewhere?

junkyard

Most sane mechanics wouldn't want to get involved with a Renault tbh, sorry for your troubles OP. The fact the Renault main dealer doesn't want to get involved says it all really.

Guy:Incognito

Tea_Bag wrote: »

I changed the fuel filter about 5 months ago. how often would someone normally change that? how often do people change their air filters too?
i really hope its not the fuel pump, that sounds like €€€

I cant see your signature... or anyone's for that matter.. have i disabled it somewhere?

Depending on mileage(which I'm guessing that at 108k in 9 years your mother isnt doing massive mileage) anything up to a year for filter changes (I prefer a bit less.

http://www.renaultforums.co.uk/

Thats the forum link. In your settings theres an option to enable sigs.(in the user cp)

Guy:Incognito

junkyard wrote: »

Most sane mechanics wouldn't want to get involved with a Renault tbh, sorry for your troubles OP. The fact the Renault main dealer doesn't want to get involved says it all really.

**Poof**. As if by magic.

Thoie

Tea_Bag wrote: »

We shouldnt need a light as in the car shouldn't bloody be breaking down in the first place!

I was thinking for things more like checking the oil etc. Maybe I should stop doing that at midnight. In a field. Under a blanket.

Tea_Bag

Stekelly wrote: »

Depending on mileage(which I'm guessing that at 108k in 9 years your mother isnt doing massive mileage) anything up to a year for filter changes (I prefer a bit less.

http://www.renaultforums.co.uk/

Thats the forum link. In your settings theres an option to enable sigs.(in the user cp)

Thanks Im going through them now to find a solution. googled the site but will fix sigs now..