Thinking of buying a Renault 4TL

Jaf · Unread post by **Jaf** » 20 Jan 2011, 15:18

Hi, spotted a 1988 1.1 litre car for sale. It has done 99,000kms and it is up for sale at 1,500 euros.

Can anyone give me some advice about what to look out for specifically on these cars? It seems to be in good condition body wise and the engine doesn't show any leaks apart from a small water leak from one of the hoses.

Also does anyone know what horse power it is so that I can get an insurance quote.

Thanks, Jaf

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 20 Jan 2011, 17:27

A 1988 Renault 4 will be a GTL, with the 1.1 engine, plastic front grill etc.

Rust is a problem usually, though might not be in Spain. Check the floors, particularly the sill area behind the front wheels and under the drivers feet.

Check the clutch is fine, as its a bit of a job to change one on those, surprisingly.

Bearings in the rear suspension arms can go.

Obviously check for the obvious things, head gasket failures, general maintenance etc.

They are pretty basic cars and so apart from rust and the usual thing there isnt too much specific to the R4 to watch out for.

Have you owned one before? They are very fun cars, the earlier the R4 the more fun they are. I think by 1988 the umbrella style handbrake was lost for a traditional type etc.

Jaf · Unread post by **Jaf** » 21 Jan 2011, 14:44

Thanks Chris, will be having a test drive monday hopefully.

The cars over here seem to be rust free, amazing the difference the climate makes.

My dad drove one once in 1970 and he has always fancied having one since then! The guy selling it said it's a great car for the ramblas (dirt tracks). Not expecting it to be great on the motorway as read the top speed is 75mph!

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 21 Jan 2011, 20:49

We had a 1972 4TL (smaller engine and older spec) until a few years ago, it was a great car, fantastic fun to drive.

It was the smaller engine, but not the smallest as earlier R4s had even smaller units, I did push it to 70mph once, but it hated me for doing it, really screaming away. Realistically 55 was a good speed on a motorway, 60 was reasonable.

We had a 1989 (I think) GTL with the 1.1 engine for a short time along with the 4TL. It was nippier, the gears were the other way round, which made driving one then the other interesting.

My dad has had 5 of them i think, he wishes he still had our last TL. I believe it lives in Ireland now, if anyone sees a maroon R4 around ...

Jaf · Unread post by **Jaf** » 01 Feb 2011, 11:48

Meant to say, went back to see the car on the Tuesday last week. Wanted to go Monday but it was snowing. Got there and the car had sold. Boo! Normally cars take weeks if not months to sell here.

wright · Unread post by **wright** » 27 Feb 2011, 04:50

my father had a few Renault 4s he was always worried about he timing chain because you either remove the engine or cut a hole in the floor to access it, but one problem he did have was the bolt that holds the gear bar onto the selector inside the gear box worked its way loose and fell into the gears, very expensive at the time to fix