1995 Renault Espace Helios from UK and Ireland - Comments

Shock absorbers changed.

Brake discs changed.

Timing belt broke causing £1200 damage to the engine - Renault will accept NO responsibility despite the fact the car has been serviced at ALL set intervals and within the service intervals and age in which the belt should have been changed.

Had a petrol Espace prior to the Toyota. Liked the comfort and space of the vehicle hence I bought another. The later vehicle was purchased as a diesel for its hoped for longevity but this vehicle has been a constant drain on my finances. Definitely the most expensive car I have owned.

I bought a 2.1TD Espace in 1997. It has had 5 clutches and has been in for engine oil leaks 8 times. Only legal action got renault to fit new engine. Then even that leaked oil in 3 places and the new clutch supplied with it failed. Water pump failed also. Note that Renault supply cars in order to keep the garage repair industry in employment. They are a pathetic apology for a car manufacturer. Sympathies with all those poor devils who are suffering like me.

If the car was serviced at a Renault dealer, Renault shouldn't have a leg to stand on. If on the other hand it wasn't, they are quite right not to compensate you for the timing belt failure.

Although a relatively simple job (once you get access to it), changing a timing belt does require adherence to a very strict procedure. Directional arrows on the belt have to be observed, the tension set absolutely correctly, and the components driven by the belt such as (depending on the engine) the water pump, fuel injection pump and any idler and tensioner pulleys have to be in first class condition. Any play in the bearings of these components, or incorrect tensioning is likely to drastically shorten the life of the belt, and cause it to fail before the change interval arises. If any of these components should seize, the belt teeth will be stripped or the belt will snap, and bye bye engine!

There are also other things to consider, like covers which have to be reseated correctly so as not to foul the belt, and any oil or coolant leaks in the vicinity of the belt need to be dealt with and cleaned up (contamination will wreck a belt within weeks!). In short, any number of things could have caused your belt failure from incompetence on the part of the mechanic, to faulty components, or the failure or seizure of one of the components driven by the belt.

If it wasn't a Renault dealer who did the work, how can Renault be held responsible for the wrecked engine when it was almost certainly caused by something beyond their control?

My Renault Espace Helios has cost me in excess of £4763 in repairs alone in one year, including over heating problems, new clutch kit x2, cam belt, radiator fans, and more- Please note that the car was in a new as bought condition.

The rest of the car no problem, however the engine may I dare to say absolutely no comment, speechless... My mother says if I do not have anything nice to say then be silent -- Regarding the engine silence is all that is needed absolute crap..