Refit or replace engine?

[matress]

My first post & a sad one. I've had my Trophy (#61) for a v enjoyable year & took it for its first track day with me the Saturday before last at Lydden Hill, having just had the expensive full cam/aux belt done. Unfortunately it seems to have blown a valve & my local Renault dealer that I transported it to are quoting a massive price (£4.5k) for a new engine. Looking for some advice:
1) Is it worth paying up for the Renault badge of putting a new engine in?
2) If I replace it with a similarly aged engine (it's got 39,000 miles) how will this affect resale value when I decide to sell it?
3) I don't want to break up the car as it's too much fun, but it's a close call considering the costs of a replacement?
4) Can anyone recommend reliable engine suppliers (read about Engine Dynamics and Clio spares on the forum)?
Thx

 

[Sam_K]

£4.5k?! Thats horrendous!

Firstly do not go to renault as quite clearly they will pull your pants down, go to an independant specialist if you dont want to do it yourself. JMS, BTM etc. I think you can pick up engines from around £350, maybe slightly more?

Secondly does it need a new engine? If its a valve then maybe just needs a head rebuild or new head.

Thirdly where did you have the cambelt done and are you sure its not a result of this? There have been quite a few cases of incorrectly timing resulting in engine failures

 

[Sir_Dave]

Dropped a valve, just after having the belt done?

Where did you get it done just of of interest?

And where are you based, so that i can best advise you of a course of action

Edit. As you are based in Guildford, i would recommend JMS (Chertsey). Pm me & ill give you Tom's number.

 

[matress]

I had the cambelt done at Renaultsport at Basingstoke (wish I had gone to Rentech now...) & am going to approach them about the cambelt, as Renault Woking said the suspension arm (they put a new one on) had a loose bolt. Supposedly only 1 valve went, would more have gone if cambelt timing off? Will pm you Sir Dave, thx v much

 

[bearne1]

Sad times, hope you get a positive outcome. There is no way it will cost you £4.5k to rectify, I would say £1k tops. You could get a turbo conversion for less with a decent rebuild to suit!

Been a bad month for some, had all my belts and tensioners done and the alternator bracket failed almost causing catastrophic damage. Luckily the six belt did not break up and take out the cam belt.

All in all it cost me near on 1k for new belts, tensioners and alternator / alternator housing.

 

[Sir_Dave]

I had the cambelt done at Renaultsport at Basingstoke (wish I had gone to Rentech now...) & am going to approach them about the cambelt, as Renault Woking said the suspension arm (they put a new one on) had a loose bolt. Supposedly only 1 valve went, would more have gone if cambelt timing off? Will pm you Sir Dave, thx v much

Martins? ie the main dealer?

I would imagine that if the engine fault is a result of their negligence, they should have a case to answer for!!

Will pm you in a mo

 

[liam1610]

Hello mate, just thought i would post up as i saw you live in Guildford im local to you i live in Horsham. How bad is the damage on the head and the piston? I have seen at Bridges in Crawley they had a 172 cup there they were stripping the engine out of this was on sat just gone, its worth a call see if they have a spare engine for a 182 or if its just a head you need then im sure you can get a head from them for a good price.

If your stuck on paying to fit engine or labour then get in touch i work for Addspeed in Horsham, we can have a look see what it needs and rebuild engine/replace for a lot cheaper than what renault want. Either that or if you want a renault specialist then have a word with Kevin Griffin Cars again in Horsham they have all sorts of renaults in there on a regular basis.

 

[matress]

Thanks for the post, good to see there are some Trophy owners around me! I have got in contact with JMS Chertsey who are miles cheaper than Renault (surprise surprise) & will take a look at the car for me & pretty close to Guildford (will def keep you in mind as well!), as not sure the full extent of the damage yet. Thanks for info on Bridges @ Crawley, will be in touch with them if it needs full engine refit. Fingers crossed it doesn't...