Page 1 of Car question - from a noob of immense proportions

first up.. I know nothing at all about cars.. I can change a tyre and refil the screen wash (although I have previously put screen wash in the power steering before)

anyway... I have a 98 S reg Clio... and I have an internittent problem with starting it... every so often it will be completely dead.. I have to open the bonnet and remove a white lead with a black connector that is attached to the front of the engine.. then when i clip it back in it`s place.. the engine starts... normally this happens maybe 10 - 20 times a year.. but today it`s been 5 times.... what is this little cable for?.. what do I say when i take it to the garage without looking like a tit... (I only know about this cable thanks to the AA)...

also.. what reasons would their be for the engine sounding like a landmower come helicopter now?...

is it a diesel? i have a 2002 the newer dci... still noisey?



`i am going to live forever or die trying`

petrol 1.2 1999

could be an earth lead....bad earth would stop the car starting, you move the lead and get a better earth...car starts.

Maybe use a wire brush on the end of the lead and on where it connects to the engine.

Post a pic of the bit in question...might get a better idea.



why take life so seriously..its not like you are going to make it out alive

Quote:
also.. what reasons would their be for the engine sounding like a landmower come helicopter now?...
maybe due an oil and filter change?

remember that oil condition can vary with age, it can go watery (petrol
getting into it) , thick and gooey, and also it can look like out of date baileys
(water getting into it).

it could also be due to wear on the tappets / camshaft due to the above oil problems.

Ste.

........is that gasoline i smell?

This item was edited on Sunday, 16th April 2006, 19:27

Before doing the oil change put some injector/valve cleaner through the fuel, this will get rid of any soot/carbon from the valves but it usually ends up in the oil. It says to add it to a full tank of fuel but you can add it to half a tank for better results or if it has not been used for a long time.

When your low on fuel again, buy yourself some engine flush £5, oil filter £4, a gallon of oil (10w40) £10-20 and some slick 50 £20. You will also need a special adapter to remove the sump plug on the clio £2. All of this can be bought from a local motor factors. Prices vary depending on quality/make of parts used.

It is fairly easy to do an oil change on a Clio, while your at it, it is worth changing the air filter £4, and if your feeling adventurous, the plugs £18 and leads £25 and fuel filter (just behind passenger rear wheel if remember correctly) £5. All of which are very easy to get at and replace. Car should run much better after doing all of this.

If that terminal is a spade connector try squirting some WD40 up it and then give the connecting end a squeeze with some pliers, sometimes it can open up a bit and although it looks like it has connected, it hasn`t. Again if it is a multiblock connector, a squirt of WD40 will help it a bit, squirt some in then plug it in/unplug a few times to clean out dirt also checking that none of the connectors have opened up too far..

All the best

Gerald

Hi Haggis,
I used to have a `96 Clio and that used to do the exact same thing, just dead sometimes until you pulled that little lead on and off a couple of times, a guy that worked in Renault service told me about it, no idea what it does though!
As for the rough sounding engine mine got to around 60,000 then started to sound like a bag of spanners, just engine wear I guess, think mine was the tappets. It was a good little car though overall, eventually traded mine in for a new Clio a couple of years back.

Regards
Rob

If your unsure how to go about it you can get an oil and filter change at National Tyres for £10.

Quote:
An Oil and filter change from only £10, for any car or van up to 2300cc maximum of 5 litres and subject to manufacturers specification call your nearest branch free for details 0800 62 66 66 or ask at your nearest branch
To claim this offer simply click the `print this offer` button and redeem at your local National Tyres and Autocare Branch.
Coupons valid only on presentation until 30/04/06. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers.


Click on latest offers to get the voucher.

This item was edited on Monday, 17th April 2006, 16:59

thanks everyone for the information... much appreciated... theres no way i`m going to attempt anything myself though (tried to fix a leaky tap and ended up spending two weeks trying to fit a new sink)... I`m not very handy (well not in the DIY sense) .. my forte is PCs..

I`ll use that national tyre voucher.. fantastic!...