Advice on Reanult Master

Delboy

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Just been to see a diesel converted van, 150,00 miles, but quite nice, but it has a problem with the clutch, a shudder. I couldn't go for a test drive because the owner wasn't available. So any opinions? For when I go back.
 
I'm not a mechanic, but clutch judder is normally the sign of the master cyliner being on its way out. If this is the case, it's not a hard nor particularly expensive job.
 
Should also have said it's always worth bleeding the clutch first, as that may cure it!
 
What year is it & the model? Some of the older ones seem to be ok & run forever. I had a pretty low mileage W reg 2000 2.5 non turbo diesel. This had the Ford Iveco engine which was pretty bullet proof but poor mpg & really slow. Other than that we had quite a few problems the worst being the clutch, the slave cyinder leaked. The slave cylinder on that van was also the thrust bearing so it meant removal of the gearbox to replace. I drove it over 900 miles back from France without a clutch but knackered the battery in the process. It still cost over £500 to get it done :eek::eek: this was after shopping around & haggling for the best price. We also had problems with the driveshaft gaiter splitting in France (cost 130 euros to get it fixed) not long after we got home the driveshaft on the other side started knocking quite bady as you cornered.
I've had a few Renaults & hope this was just a rouge one that had everybody else's problems :rolleyes: My new van base vehicle is also a Renault Master, it has the quickshift 6 automatic gearbox & it performs really well. Had it for almost 2 years/14000 miles & touch wood no problems.

My only advice would be is if you aren't sure what the potential problems are with the van either take a mechanic with you to look at it or walk away. Unless the price is really low (even then that would make you suspicious) don't buy something that alrady has a problem that you can't work out how much it would cost to repair.

Don't agree that bleeding the clutch would help, clutch juder can be caused by a few things such as a broken spring on the clutch plate, oil leaking from the engine seal.
 
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Kontiki said:
Don't agree that bleeding the clutch would help, clutch juder can be caused by a few things such as a broken spring on the clutch plate, oil leaking from the engine seal.
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If you'd read my post properly it said it MAY help, not it WOULD help. Still stand by the fact it may help, in fact it's usually the first thing tried if there's no obvious leaks from cylinders and spring feels OK. You're right there are many causes of clutch judder - could be a combination of things which would involve replacing everything including the clutch if it's warped. I was just trying to suggest the most frequent faults that can be easily tested when revisiting the vehicle, but agree totally that if in any doubt, walk away!
 
Thanks of all the info! What could the worst case scenario be? And how costly?(but that may be like how long is a piece of string!)
 
hi .i would say the worst would be a new clutch and flywheel. possibly flywheel oil sael and gearbox imput shaft seal. flywheel may just need a skim and the recess for pressuree plate increased. could be about 500quid .
 
vwalan said:
hi .i would say the worst would be a new clutch and flywheel. possibly flywheel oil sael and gearbox imput shaft seal. flywheel may just need a skim and the recess for pressuree plate increased. could be about 500quid .
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I'd agree with you there Alan!

Dellboy - are you mechanically minded as all this work is very do-able by yourself, but you would need a relatively fit friend to help change a clutch - it's a two man, very heavy job if you don't have an engine hoist. Where do you live? Someone on here may know someone who could do the work or even come along and look with you. Either way I'd be inclined to fear the worst and negotiate a suitable reduction in price because of this. I learnt the hard way buying a lemon then spending a fortune I didn't really have putting it right with my first motorhome.

Still say if you're at all unsure, walk away. Make sure your head rules your heart - there's lots of good buys out there.
 
Yep, that's what I'd do. Assume the worst and negotiate a suitable reduction to cover this. Might be worth phoning Renault and finding out the cost of them replacing everything mentioned above - you've an accurate idea of what it could cost then!

Good luck!!!!!!
 
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