R9UKE's French Car Blog...

[robert_e_smart]

leading to two near death experiences in the past two days.

Paint it red and call it Christine...

It'll probably injure the scrappie when it is finally weighed (floated?) in...

Sh1t does float...

[R9UKE]

Ok, another update! Plenty to report.

Espace was a right nightmare and so weighed in at a total of £215 - which was a nice profit.

It was swiftly replaced by an ideal winter user and abuser:





1992, 80k from new, original Renault mats and cassette player. 6 months MOT. £260.

Those naff wheels will be replaced with Clio Baccara alloys soon. Auto box isn't great. A bit slippy in 1st and 2nd, hoping a transmission service will cure it. It's also quite a thirsty little bugger, I'm convinced it must have a fuel leak.

Mégane failed it's MOT today. Inner track rod ends on both sides and a suspension ball joint. It's going to my Renault specialist mechanic on Monday to have it sorted. Then I'll leave the Avantime off when I pick it up and it will also leave MOT ready! Very excited but also terrified at what the bill might be.

I will update provided I don't have to pawn my laptop to foot the bill

[CitroJim]

That looks a fair littler Clio Luke... I really quite like them

Yours seem to be idling rather enthusiastically there or is it just cold?

[R9UKE]

Thanks Jim, well spotted. It idles like that all the time, except when in D or R. It's also a thirsty little bugger and quite difficult to start from dead cold. Any suggestions? I'm presuming they're all linked.

[Chris570]

what does it do when it's in d or r. it'll be thirsty if its base revs is that high, might sound like a stupid question but is it carb or injection?

[robert_e_smart]

T MET.

[CitroJim]

In D or R the idle will come down as there will be a load on the engine via the torque converter and it trying to turn the wheels against the brakes.

If injection, the problem may well be the coolant temperature sensor. A very common problem on early Clios it seems...

[Citroenmad]

Nice winter hack!

We tried to get a Clio that shape years ago, probably ten years back now, all too often the boot floors were rotten, we bought a Fiesta

What is wrong with the Avantime Luke? Or is it just in need of an MOT?

[R9UKE]

It is a fuel injected car, thank you, I'll get on to GSF on Monday for a price! By thirsty I mean 20 miles to a tenner!!!

Yes Chris this one seems airly solid minus the rear arches!

The Avantime just needs its MOT check list worked through. Rear wheel bearing, track rod ends, inner steering arms and two front tyres. It will probably be gone over Christmas, I'm in no rush for it. It'll be like having a new car! I'll be able to go over 40 without being deafened!!

[Citroenmad]

It is a fuel injected car, thank you, I'll get on to GSF on Monday for a price! By thirsty I mean 20 miles to a tenner!!!

Yes Chris this one seems airly solid minus the rear arches!

The Avantime just needs its MOT check list worked through. Rear wheel bearing, track rod ends, inner steering arms and two front tyres. It will probably be gone over Christmas, I'm in no rush for it. It'll be like having a new car! I'll be able to go over 40 without being deafened!!

My Activa averages that, I would hope more of a 1.4 Clio

Ouch, as if Christmas time isnt expensive enough you have two cars needing MOTs and work.

My C5 is in for its MOT on monday, im hoping it will sail through

[robert_e_smart]

Get that Clio weighed in and buy a proper winter car!

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-moto ... tem-full-2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[CitroJim]

Get that Clio weighed in and buy a proper winter car!

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-moto ... tem-full-2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Yes Just the job

[R9UKE]

Good luck Chris, hopefully it'll go better than mine did!

Robert, a diesel? You know me very well!

[KP]

If the clio is anything like the 1.4 Renault 5 auto I had years ago it had to idle high otherwise it stalls in d or r when engaged and they really really drink though a full service helps a little the engines are quite old but great for warming up quick in winter

[Citroening]

Get that Clio weighed in and buy a proper winter car!
http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-moto ... tem-full-2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Surely this would be much better...eh Robert?!!