52 plate megane 1.6 starting problems

[mattloftus]

I've got a 52 plate renault megane hatchback, only done 40,000 miles and now starting to be a real pain.
It randomly makes an awful and very loud vibrating/rattling/clunking noise when starting, only for a moment before cutting out all together. It also tends to just die and stall when stationary.
Its been in and out of garages at least 6 times in the last 2 months and nobody seems to know what's going on? The trouble is the noise only happens on random occasions, and never when a mechanic is listening, typical!

I've been informed by a neighbour that it may be the phaser pulley which is making the noise, but have no idea how much this may cost or how big a job it is? Obviously my car is out of warranty and so i'll have to pay for it but surely this shouldn't be happening after only 40,000 miles? I ran my escort into the ground without it ever needing so much as a bulb replacing!

Renault are very quickly losing this customer!
Any help gratefully received, cheers!

[busternlouie]

Dephaser. Dephaser. Dephaser.

Type 'Dephaser' in the search box and you'll see you're not alone!!

[andywills]

sounds like dephaser...you will end up having the cambelt replaced at the same time...dosent matter thats its only done 40k, it's still a 6 year old car

[mattloftus]

Thanks for a prompt response...
Since when has 6 years been a long time?? Very very poorly designed and built if that's the case! It'll be on autotrader before the end of the month.

Cheers for replies tho, it's good to have another opinion.

[markren2004]

they dont make cars they used to do..i think mid 90's was about the best period for car built quality..manufacturers have spent the last 15 years cutting costs and cutting corners.

anyway the dephaser is all detailed in the common issues sticky viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8855

[mattloftus]

Ok thanks for all replies so far... best quote i've had to fix is £305 incl VAT to replace dephaser and cambelt. Renault are an absolute joke and want to charge double that!

One thing I'd like cleared up is do I NEED a dephaser in the first place? In other words is it worth me spending all that money on something most mechanics have never even heard of, or do I just put up with the occasional bag of spanners symphony when i start my car? Will there be any potential damage by not having it replaced and just putting up with it until i sell it?

Any thoughts gratefully received as always.

Cheers

[andywills]

thats around the price i have been quoted (actually being done as I type)...that price should include all pulleys done and the seprom belt and ask them to check condition of water pump at same time, you dont want to pay that then have the water pump go...i'd get the oil changed at same time aswell