Another blowing manifold

[colwill197]

I do not drive my car that often and over the last few weeks I have thought the car was getting louder but put it down to me driving less. Then yesterday I did a trip to Bristol stuck cruise control at 70 and only got 31mpg and my gf also said it was louder and she knows nothing about cars. I have checked the system from the cat back so it's either my manifold or flexis. Either way a big job with welding and a lot of labour involved.

cars first registered in July 08 and has done 44,000 miles almost exactly. Is it worth trying to get renault to front some of the repair costs?

If not how many hours labour am I looking? Including the welding if I take it to an exhaust expert?

also is it the lower gear box mount which causes the manifold to crack? Or do I need to get more than one replaced to stop this happening again?

and advice is welcome. Would think about toyosport but that really needs a remap although I could get this all done with my cambelt and was going to get matched inlets too from 519.

Whats everyones opinion? Please please help. Thanks guys

 

[Mentalpen]

renault give 5.1 hours to change it and retail is circa £1,300.

iirc the TRADE price of the manifold alone is around £450 then VAT and retail cost to you.

If you ask renault for help then they will pay a different price to you so its worth arming your self with this and remembering it. Renault will pay Trade on parts and labour but charge you retail for both.

So Trade price would be around £650 to £700 all in.

Renault will also ring the dealer involved and negotiate a better labour rate.

All this will depend on your and the cars renault history and your history with the dealer, so in affect if you use the dealer a lot and they know you as a customer they will hopefully value you more and offer a better rate to renault much like renault will look at you and the car and do the same process.

Granted i have a larger than average renault history and use my dealer very regularly and they know who i am when i walk in, i paid £166 iirc to get mine fixed. with renault paying 85% of the initial £1,300. However like i have pointed out they have in affect paid around £500-£600 due to the price's they can get things done at.

 

[colwill197]

I only have one service with renault although the car has a full service history with them and has low mileage for a manifold to crack. So because I have no past dealings I will be lucky to get it for much less than a grand. So next option is an exhaust place. You reckon it's 5 hours job then obviously the cost of welding. Which engine mount causes this, is it lower gearbox?

Cheers for your help

 

[Mentalpen]

If the car has history then I'd have a dealer look at it for free under the understanding they will get the work if it's done by Renault and that you are going to ask ruk for support.

It's a very quick job to see it's blowing.

Just be clear with ruk that it's a life part (100k milage expectancy) and that you have been thinking of trading it in so you can get the new 200t (which of course you are ) and looking for a good will gesture to be able to continue to be a Renault loyal customer.

I think you will get a minimum 40% and just lay it on that you like the new 200t but been put off by failure of a life part which you know others have had issues with from friends experience.

Sorry can't help on which mount.

 

[colwill197]

Mount wise pretty sure it's lower gearbox. Hoping someone else will jump in. So this part is meant to last at least 100,000 miles correct? I am checking the flexis tonight if not it's the manifold I don't have an inspection mirror but I know it is. Even with 40-50% contribution that's still £650 which is a lot more than getting it rewelded at a good exhaust specialist and they can fit new aftermarket engine mount at the same time.

i will phone ruk later though see what I can get. Thanks for all your help.

 

[Mentalpen]

It's a life part which I believe is set at 100k by Renault.

It's a big job removing the manifold as all the sub frame etc comes off.

I've also seen at least one person in here who's wield didn't last in the flexi.

I would get a price from the dealer first then ring ruk and see what they can do. Then weigh up the options.

 

[colwill197]

Hi,

yeah there's didn't last because they didn't change the engine mount. Which Is another reason ruk may not help because it will just crack again.

 

[colwill197]

I think I have my facts wrong it's the lower stabilising mount. So anyone else know what's best. If I go with renault and pay 70% which is about £400 will it not just happen again due to the engine mount? If I buy an engine mount for £100 how much am I looking for labour to get it rewelded?

 

[colwill197]

Anyone? Please need to sort this soon

 

[colwill197]

Spoke to a guy at renault uk. He was very helpful said that he can definitely look into a contribution. So we had a chat about how in the future I was definitely convinced by renault and would stay in the sport branch family (megane or clio). He said he would get a dealer of my choice to arrange a diagnostic. Half hour later slough renault called me and I have it booked in for early Thursday morning. Fingers crossed

 

[colwill197]

So renault deny it's blowing completely. Unexplainably loud and mpg dropped. Anything else it could be or are they stupid? What a waste of time. Going to have to get an inspection mirror..