VEL SATIS maintenance.

[lexi]

I have hopefully got FLO the 3.5 up to scratch for my fishing season ahead.
For MOT I fitted: New rear springs, new rear calipers, rear brake discs, rear brake hoses, rear ARB bushes. Of course I had to cut brake pipes and re-flare in situ.
Rear springs on a Vel are fun. Special tool needed as no room for conventional spring clamps. I made them up with heat and a welder. Renault Dealers have a kit.
Got her MOT'D.

Next up 2 jobs I have had lined up for a bit. New platinum spark plugs. Lots of disconnecting of hoses motorised throttle etc etc. I am sure the plugs were originals with 82k. Still quite good but gap opened up past the 1.1mm it should be. These new ones should see me good as my miles are not high.

Auxilliary belt. As I suspected this was original belt and was worn. No aftermarket tensioner available. Price from Renault was£110. Took it off. Metal pulley wheel which was good. Noisy bearing. Took bearing number and sourced a good Timken bearing for 8 quid. Pressed old one out and new one in. All back together and running sweet. The power steering belt was good, not a mark, so I left it as it was the most awkward to get to belt I have seen. The timing is a chain, so regular oil changes takes care of that.

I won't bore with pics but I have many, if anyone is attempting on a Vel or Espace with same set up. I even found the coolant bleed screws

[bxzx16v]

You've just got to love the vel satis, what a car, and the last of the Renault luxobarges .

Mark

[steelcityuk]

Come on lexi, let's see the pics!

I've fancied a Vel Satis on several occasions.

Steve.

[lexi]

Well pics of springs in the clamps.


I managed to compress the spring on the car by jacking under the cup of swinging arm. I just managed to get spring compressed enough for my hooks to fit.........before car actually lifted off main jack. Renault use a long threaded tool that goes up spring centre to wind the spring up.

New rear brakes with bearings, ABS reluctor ring, caliper and pads.


This is the plenum that is in the way for rear spark plug bank.


Then removed for easy access to plugs and coils.


The pulley wheel and the new bearing.........that saved over a 100quid!


This was the way Renault were selling it and was the only option.


Managed to dig out an aftermarket lower engine stay as well.Mine on the left was sheared at the rubbers This pressed steel type is fitted to earlier models. It was about £17 versus the cast ally one at about £100.

[steelcityuk]

Nice work Lexi. It's good to see that money can be saved by using alternatives.

Were the old calipers that bad that they needed replacing? It's a shame that manufacturers try to sell the whole assembly rather than just the components, it's wasteful and probably leads to good cars being scrapped for the sake of a few bits and bobs. Still I guess that's what they want.

Steve.

[lexi]

Steve; I normally rebuild calipers etc. The rubber dust seals on caliper pistons were torn. I think they had been let down too low on pads and the bores were scored also.
However I got those calipers outright for £37 each. If you could get old ones back,they were giving 15 quid back on old ones. I binned mine. These recons had the original Renault stamp on them? Seem very nice quality.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321294934855" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[lexi]

I have hopefully got FLO the 3.5 up to scratch for my fishing season ahead.

And here she is in her element out in the country.

[R9UKE]

Gorgeous! Here's my 3.5.... Swap!?

[lexi]

Hey Luke........where you been man?
Don't you be throwing that spares car away now!

[R9UKE]

Hey I know, online presence hasn't been great, I'll have to do an update, plenty to report on!

Glad to see you're still loving the Vel, I had the 2.2 on the road again for a month there and it reminded me just how special they are - even with the wrong engine!

[steelcityuk]

I wonder how the Vel Satis compares with a C6?

Tempting but currently I have a Scenic with no engine in it and my XMs isn't working too well.

What's fuel consumption like on the 'Satis?

Steve.

[lexi]

Chap on the VS Forum has a 3.5. He has owned the C6............He didn't like it or rate it. I have not driven C6 but I love the looks and his comments surprised me somewhat? Subjective of course. He has had some special cars over the years. He is happy with Vel. He did 5kmiles through Europe this year and got about 33mpg overall.
They are poor in town. You will go down to 21mpg. No 3.5 v6 is good on fuel though. We like to kid ourselves they are "not bad"
I did 60 miles yesterday on country roads. Indicated 34MPG on computer. With them being optimistic I would give that journey 31mpg. Overall I get indicated 27mpg.
I use Mrs Lexi's Jazz for running around...........superb on fuel and space.