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Borg & Beck

In common with many vehicles fitted with a dual mass flywheel (DMF), the Renault Espace IV can suffer from clutch and flywheel noise, leading to their premature wear and subsequent failure.

Particularly evident on the 1.9 and 2.2 dCi turbo diesel engines, the problem can be easily overcome by fitting a high quality Borg & Beck single mass flywheel (SMF) replacement kit.

The SMF clutch kit is an original equipment designed solution to the DMF and utilises technology that enables it to deliver similar performance characteristics to the original DMF it replaces, yet with an increased lifespan, thereby reducing the associated running costs.

Sven Nielsen, Technical Director from MEYLE, says the following difficulties may arise with the Renault Espace:

Stabiliser links often worn out

Problem:

Intense strain and high surface pressure wear and stress on the ball joint. This causes a premature failure of the ball joint and generates noise at the front axle.

MEYLE-HD Solution:

MEYLE in-house engineers increased the diameter of the ball head of the ball joint to 22 mm, in addition to using wear-resistant synthetic ball sockets with high-tech grease. The reduction of the surface pressure ensures a significantly longer lifetime.

Tyre pressure monitoring system giving implausible/wrong indication

Renault Espace Mk IV 2.0 (JK09)

Reference number(s): 4479A

Fault symptoms: Tyre pressure monitoring system display defective.

The following fault codes may be recorded: DF003, DF004, DF005, DF006 DF016, DF007

Causes: Damage No coding or incorrect coding wrong, missing, loosened components or assembly error

Remedy: Damaged components must be replaced. Teach the tire-pressure sensors. Look for assembly errors and eliminate them.

Combustion making a knocking sound and starting problems

CAT Inside Line - Renault Espace (- 2012)

Gates advises that a specific timing belt tool set, such as the Gates GAT 4760B, is essential when replacing the belt on the Synchronous Belt Drive System (SBDS) of the Renault Espace 2.2 DCi engine (1999-present day).

The unusual set-up of this engine is such that gears control the timing from inside the engine. An intermediate shaft is located half way up the engine, running at half the engine speed. This power is transmitted to the camshaft via a short belt.

Unless the appropriate tool is used and unless the set-up procedure is followed to the letter, the belt will seem too short and will be impossible to fit.

My Technical team have come back to me with the following issues for the next Inside Line article on the Renault Espace.

Both issues below affect petrol and diesel models.

Starter Motor – Common for burning out due to poor starting often due to a faulty Crankshaft position sensor.

Alternator – Common for belt slip and resulting poor charge rate.

A few notes about the Renault Espace IV (2002- ):

Engine Oil

For this particularly vehicle, Renault list a number of specifications for engine oil which should be covered by a number of Comma products. With the number of differing specifications depending on year and engine size, you need to make sure you get the right product for the vehicle you are servicing.

Renault Espace >2012

The Cambiare technical hotline has dealt with issues covering:

Early Espaces, built between July 1991 and July 1992, suffered a potential leak from the heater matrix which caused hot coolant to enter the passenger compartment. Technicians looking to locate coolant loss should check the front floor area and heater unit for the potential source.

Espaces built between March 1999 and August 1999 experienced problems with the routing of fuel lines which were too close to the exhaust manifold, causing a potential fire risk. Technicians working in this area during service/repair should take care not to dislodge the pipes, which can reduce the distance between their correct location and the exhaust manifold.

Higher mileage vehicles often show signs of wear on suspension parts, though the process is gradual and sometimes goes unnoticed by the driver. Many kits are available for complex multi-link systems, though not for the more conventional designs.

We have replacement kits for vehicles including: Audi A3 Seat Altea, Leon, Toledo Skoda Octavia, Volkswagen Golf, Golf Plus, Jetta, Touran, Eos.

Replacing the ZF Servolectric steering rack on the Volkswagen Golf

The ZF Servolectric Generation II steering rack installed as original equipment (OE) in the pre-2009 VW Golf has been discontinued, but the current Generation III rack installed in 2009-on vehicles may be retrofitted to earlier models. Confirmation of type can be determined from the ten digit ZF Lenksysteme part number found on a metal plate attached to the steering rack.

Available from ZF Services UK, the latest generation is an OE upgrade offering more sophisticated electric motor technology and advanced electronics, which provides improved steering precision and feel. Parts details are available in the forthcoming ZF Lenksysteme aftermarket range catalogue.

CAT Inside Line VW 2.0-litre TDI

Corteco has identified several issues with the VW 2.0-litre TDI model range. These include the sump plug in the engine block and the cam seal and crank seals in the main drive system.

The sump plugs are often re-used, but at some risk to the vehicle owner. Re-threading is an option best avoided, because it is a labour intensive and unreliable solution, says Corteco. "Sump plugs are not a universal fit and cross-threading is common. Sump plug repairs that were often carried out because parts are either too expensive to obtain from dealers - or more difficult to source in the time available - are a thing of the past, thanks to the Corteco Sump Plug Merchandiser.