CC Prospective Buyer

[ChrisM]

CAM BELT: May be cost effective to change water pump as well, I have a 2004 one and had belts changed, but left water pump, Tut Tut, a month later it was depositing little puddles on my drive, yet when belt was changed pump was fine! so whe nthey put tension on the new belt it might upset the water pump, to do water pump is belt off again. Remeber this car runs on Coolant not wate /anti freeze mix!
Prices do vary, but get genuine Renault parts, and change all belts not just cam belt, If memory serves I think it only has an auxillary belt and cambelt change em both, I got mine done for £80 as a cash job from my Renault tec, all parts cost around £110 Genuine Renault belt kit and aux belt, water pump was another £40 plus £25 coolant + £80 labour AGAIN!!!!!! would have cost me £100 for whole job in one go instead it cost me £160, so just a thought for you.
KEY CARD: There are 2nd hand keys on ebay, don't bother! they can not be coded to your car, Renault put a block on this years ago, they preprograme the card now ready for your car ONLY, it can not be changed, don't waste your money on it you will need a new one and a good week or so wait for it, my advice bite bullit and get it, these cards are crap, to big and to soft, the micro switches break away inside then doors wont lock/open etc, as long as card starts car you can get it repaired for £25, it takes around a week for the round trip, so you really need a spare. Renault don't repair them!
FRONT INDICATOR: - yep pain the butt, open bonnet and reomve the front plastic strip which runs across the car just above the bumper, and also the small plastic panel above the lamp, this enables you to get some light and kind of see a little where your fingers should be, they are held in place by those stupid black plastic clips, turn a bit with flat blade screwdriver it will pop up slighlty lift it up with blade then the whole clip will pop out, if it still poses to much hassel then it is actauly simpler to remove bumper, 2 screws either side of wheel arches and the rest of the black plastic clips, pull out front bumper on the front of each wheel arch there is a small clip in there holding the corners flush, you will need a bit of wiggling to release it from the headlamp clips, bumper is clipped onto two lips ontop of headlamp you can just see the top one if you ;ull it up a little and look along the lamp lens towards the center of the car, lift it away, beware thought it is still wired to the fog lamps, you will need to disconect them on the passenger side lower bumper can only be done when bumper is in your hands, replace is same as remove apart from DO NOT FORGET THE BONET CATCH THROUGH THE GRILLE. A real pain if you forget, and be rectified by forcing the front grille off, not really recomended though as it never seems to sit right after, this bulb will possibly be the conector, try a sharp slap on the wing next to lamp, I use to get this as well from passenger side indicator, every now and then so a slap on the wing seems to setle the conection inside, indicator connection issues are a known fault so I am told by my Renault man, worth a try 1st.
try: a search on here for front bumper removal there is one around with images.
REAR WINDOW: sounds like the rear switch is at fault, possibly got wet, if all windows work fine leave alone. it is a pain to get to.
You have to pop open the roof remove rear seats, remove side trims, seat belt and finally rear quater panel (VERY basic discription) I have wrote a section on here about rear window quaterlite removal you will find it on there how to get to this switch, personally If it is just that rear switch I would leave it, I don't think you can remove them in situ.

Lube all boot joints with silcone grease and all roof and boot seals with pure silicone it stops squeeks. You could have a look at some tyre blacks for the pure silicone, read lable through carefully and only look at the clear tyre black, I have one from work, it is a clear liquid tyre black at 100% silicone, excellent for my seals.
If some seals weep then vasoline sometimes stops them for a while.

[synchro]

Thanks Chris. Renault want £580 for the belts and water pump fitted.
Local independant is £350. Renault parts quote was £280. I'll probably
get genuine parts and get the local to fit them. I didn't realise there
was a special coolant and not an antifreeze/water mix.

I'll look up your section about getting to the window switch before deciding
if I'll do that.

Car is a diesel and runs very lumpy when cold on idle. I think it needs some
servicing. I've already had the oil and filter changed. I need to get a Haynes
manual. I know it doesn't cover CC specifics but it covers the engines?

I also have an airbag fault now and again. I've read there is a connection under
the drivers seat that gives this error but haven't found this yet.

Enjoying the car though!