Renault Grand Espace - Blown Turbo? - how screwed am I??

irishgrover

Morning all,
it anyone has any advice I'd by happy to hear it!
Yesterday, driving my 2004 Renault grand espace (1.9d 100k miles). It's well serviced / maintained. Was driving along @ 90 kph, the engine (in the space of 12 seconds or so) made two whining noises (initially thought the AC was failing / struggling). Turned off the radio to listen. Then the engine went 'nuts' sounded like the throttle went fully engaged at max revs. immediately put in neutral, pulled into hard shoulder and hit on/off button. This did not appear to turn off the engine for about 5 or so seconds. During this time period engine seemed to be revving at max and significant smoke coming from back, before engine turned off.
Breakdown cover (123.ie) did a great job and had tow truck and 10 seater taxi on site within 20 minutes or so (has wife, 4 kids, dog and holiday luggage in car)
Anyway tow truck guy recons it's Turbo failure. Has anyone
a.) any opinions
b.) any idea what ball park price for repair would be
c.) Any recommendations for mechanic in Tuam area that would be able to have a look

Thanks in advance :-)

Kimbot

Sounds exactly like what happened my dads one and his was the timing belt snapped. He was better off with a second hand engine and prices were roughly 1500 just for the engine.

Mech1

Google "Diesel engine runaway"

May not be the turbo, you could get off light enough.

irishgrover

jonny24ie wrote: »

Sounds exactly like what happened my dads one and his was the timing belt snapped. He was better off with a second hand engine and prices were roughly 1500 just for the engine.

I really hope it's not the timing belt as I got it (+water pump etc) replaced about 5000 km back (2 months ago)

Guy:Incognito

irishgrover wrote: »

I really hope it's not the timing belt as I got it (+water pump etc) replaced about 5000 km back (2 months ago)

Its probably not the TB but tbh it would probably be best case for you if it was because I'd imagine it would be covered by the warranty from whoever did it (assuming it was done in reputable establishment)

visual

Its a turbo for sure on the renault 1.9 diesel

the oil seals go on the turbo spindle and oil is released into the air intake of engine. On off switch sometimes doesn't stop engine and its called engine run away when it cant be switched off, resulting in engine running off engine oil until all the oil is used up and engine is damaged.

landmarkjohn

Sounds similar to my sisters experience with a Grand Espace, basically they pulled onto the drive and the engine went to max revs and they couldn't switch it off and it destroyed the engine after a couple of minutes. The way it was described it was very dramatic, noisy, plumes of smoke and scary. Not sure of outcome, it was in UK.

I reckon if you google for similar there will be others.

visual

Renault party trick

if there is still oil in engine you might be luck and only need new turbo possibly intercooler repaired or replaced.

You'll need an oil change and egr cleaned out

don't let renault dealer repair car as they spend more time printing out invoice than under your car.

You can get reconditioned turbo for less than 350 and find a good indy to do the work.

irishgrover

thanks for all the responses..... anyone know a good source for a replacement engine? it's fecked... :-(