Workshop Manuals Factory service & repair Renault

Renault common faults and how to fix them

Faults that are well known on Renault models we hold manuals for: what the owner notices, what causes it, and the pages in our manuals that cover the repair.

Renault Alliance heater core recall: hot coolant can spray onto the driver (1983–1987)

Symptoms

A sweet coolant smell inside the car, a misted windscreen, damp carpet near the centre console, or a falling coolant level. In the worst case the heater core bursts.

Cause

Chrysler safety recall 541 (May 1992), issued to Jeep and Eagle dealers after Chrysler took over AMC, covers all 1983–1987 model year Renault Alliance and Encore cars. The heater core, which sits in the centre console, may fail. If it does, hot coolant could spray onto the driver's legs and cause severe burns.

Fix

The remedy replaces the heater core. If there is any sign of a coolant leak inside the car, stop using the heater and have the core replaced before driving further. Drain the cooling system first, and refill and bleed it afterwards as the manual describes. The Renault Alliance heater core recall bulletin gives the replacement procedure for the 1.4 and 1.7 engines.

Repair instructions on this site

Sources: Chrysler safety recall 541 (May 1992).

Renault Alliance hard starting in sub-zero temperatures (1984)

Symptoms

The engine is hard to start, or won't start, in temperatures below freezing, especially after standing overnight.

Cause

Renault bulletin 9E176 (April 1984) lists three separate causes on the Alliance and Encore. On cars with throttle body fuel injection, ice can form on the injector nozzle after the engine is switched off. On cars built in one VIN range, running the engine block heater for more than an hour above 0°F can leave too little fuel at start-up. And the battery may not stay fully charged when the temperature stays at 0°F or below for long periods.

Fix

For injector icing, the bulletin modifies the PCV tube in the throttle body: it is removed, shortened to a scribed mark and refitted, so it no longer sticks into the throttle body bore. It gives separate corrections for the block heater and battery causes. Follow the Renault Alliance cold starting bulletin for each one, and check the battery and charging system first.

Repair instructions on this site

Sources: Renault service bulletin 9E176 (April 1984).

Renault Alliance front brake clunk: loose caliper bracket bolts

Symptoms

A clunk from the front brakes when the pedal is pressed lightly, or when driving slowly over rough roads.

Cause

Renault bulletin 7E166 (February 1984) covers some Alliance and Encore models. The noise comes from the front brake caliper bracket mounting bolts, which may not be tight enough.

Fix

Raise the front of the car with the wheels free to turn. Using a beam torque wrench, measure how tight the caliper bracket bolts are on both sides, reading the torque as each bolt starts to tighten. Replace any bolt that reads 90 N·m (66 lb ft) or less with a new bolt, and tighten the new bolts to 100 N·m (74 lb ft). The Renault Alliance brake clunk bulletin gives the part number. Check the pads, discs and suspension joints as well if the noise remains.

Repair instructions on this site

Sources: Renault service bulletin 7E166 (February 1984).

Renault Alliance automatic transmission: buzzing noise from the valve body

Symptoms

A buzzing noise from the automatic gearbox, usually after a cold start with the selector in Park or Neutral.

Cause

Renault bulletin 5E163 (March 1984) covers some Alliance and Encore models built before transaxle number 119039. Normal fluid flow in the valve body can make the pressure regulator valve vibrate and buzz.

Fix

The original valve body separator plate is replaced with a new plate that has a smaller pressure regulator feed orifice, using the kit listed in the bulletin, with new gaskets and filter. Remove and refit the valve body following the workshop manual procedure. Afterwards, check and adjust the transmission oil pressure to 4.4 bar (64 psi). The Renault Alliance transmission bulletin notes that the pressure figure printed in the original workshop manuals is wrong and should read 4.4 bar.

Repair instructions on this site

Sources: Renault service bulletin 5E163 (March 1984).

Repair instructions for every Renault model: Renault workshop manuals