Engine problems, 3.0 V6 - 1999

[Anders Dinsen]

Hi Troels

The trip was great and safe, the car drove perfectly!

Sorry to hear that the car has stopped completely now... I've got a spare (only used a year or so) coil pack here that you can borrow to check.

/Anders

[Anders Dinsen]

But I bet it's your catalytic converter that has collapsed. I'm thinking so because the car has gradually gone from not good, to worse, to completely dead now. Try removing it and take a look inside. The contents can be pushed out with a rod. If you're buying a new one, let's get two as I'll be needing a new one in a year or two (rust):

http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390068571365&

/Anders

[renaultbiler]

What about the gearbox ? Are the problems mainly on low rpm and requesting high torque ?
You still havent returned with your gearbox story YET, and from my point this symptoms could very well be gearbox related, bear in mind that an automatic transmistion works along the engine electronically aswell. So if you got an overhauled gearbox with warranty - use it before it expires.

If you and Anders meet up, perhaps trying Anders coil pack is an idea to either solve or discharge that (should be harmless for both of you)

Engine computer VS fault codes is never fool proof, but without any indications it might sound like most important sensors etc are okay.

[Trolkar]

But I bet it's your catalytic converter that has collapsed.

Hi Anders!

The catalytic converter seems fine. - When blowing air into the converter with an "inverted vacuum cleaner" the air passes through just fine. – So I don't think that's the problem.

I think it is either the coil pack or some vacuum errors. – I have found a "box" that says "tik tik tik" and apparently is missing a vacuum hose. – I'll take a picture of It tomorrow.

The fault is very mysterious. For 2 days, the car has been able to deliver and pickup my daughters at their daycare, but always with serious misfire on some parts of the trip, and no problems at all on some other parts of the trip. – But there is no "standard" for the misfire. – Except, that the misfire is mainly on acceleration. Either at slow ( 0 -50 km/t) or "normal" (50 – 80 km/t) speed.

/Troels

[Trolkar]

What about the gearbox ? Are the problems mainly on low rpm and requesting high torque ?

The gearbox is fine... I think?!?! – The problems are only when accelerating.

You still havent returned with your gearbox story YET

To night is the night! - I'm just not used to write in UK, so it takes a little time...

[Anders Dinsen]

Ok, so I lost my bet.     

Coil pack is next. Give me a call and you can try my spare!

/Anders

[Trolkar]

Thx a lot Anders!

But I have already placed a order at my local garage. - Don't know the price, but it can't be bad to get a new one anyway...

I'm a bit tirred of "small errors" al the time on the car... It must be possibly to solve all the errors, bit by bit.

[Trolkar]

Btw, the engine is now making "misfire" in "N"...

[renaultbiler]

Note that below the coil (mounted to the coil) it is some rubber extentions, they dont come with the coil and are sold separately. These might be a good idea to replace aswell to prevent misfire if there have ever been water down there.

[Trolkar]

A small up-date..

The engine is still not running correctly....

The ignition coil pack is changed, every filter is changed, catalytic converter tested with another, new spark plugs... Almost everything that I and my mechanic can think of. Timingbelt is checked.

The engine is normally running very smootly, but "not as fast and "powerfull" as what you would expect of an V6.
When given full throttle in "N", the engine revs up, but first after 1-1½ sec of hesitating (Sounds like it is drowning). After that, it spins up just fine, but sometimes it misfires all the time until it reached almost max speed. (I quess 1.000 rpm before fuel cutting).

Where are going to change the spark plugs and the wires again in the weekend. - Any other ideas?

[jack daniels]

the fuel.
Are you still running on the same tank of fuel, or have you filled up several times since the initial problem?

[renaultbiler]

There is a MAP sensor behind the inlet manifoil, worth a shot. Its a Bosch part and can be bought cheaper outside Renault.

Any fault codes on it ?

[Trolkar]

the fuel.
Are you still running on the same tank of fuel, or have you filled up several times since the initial problem?

Running mainly (90% of the time) on Shell unleaded 95. - The rest of the time it runs on "JET".
It is the 3 tank... But Shell has changed from "normal 95" to "fuel save". But it can only effect the last tank.

[Trolkar]

There is a MAP sensor behind the inlet manifoil, worth a shot. Its a Bosch part and can be bought cheaper outside Renault.

Any fault codes on it ?

Hmm.. Haven't seen that. - Do you have a picture, or a guidance? - It is damm hard to reach and see the back of the engine.

There are no errors when tested. - And Renault Kalundborg can't see anything wrong on the computer while driving and the engine hesistate. - They can feel it, but don't messure it.

The rear silencer is pretty much scrap. - I have welded it together. Can it be because of the changed pressure in the exchaust? (There were no silencematerial left in the silencer)

[Anders Dinsen]

I have a spare map sensor for you if you want to try, but if the Renault mechanics don't get an error from it, I doubt it's the reason.

/Anders