Renault Espace (1997 - 2002) - 02 2.2 Dci engine rattle under load

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
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Sat 20 Jun 2009 00:12
02 2.2 Dci engine rattle under load - Colin4255
Hi, I'm new to this forum and would like some help. My 2002 Grand Espace Dci has suffered some of the usual EGR problems listed elsewhere on this forum, BUT my biggest problem is an annoying rattle when accelerating hard, or putting the engine under load so to speak.

You can sit with it on the drive and rev the engine as hard as you like and apart from the agricultural noises these renault diesels make - no rattle at all. yet set off up the road, or uphill and accelerate and it makes a terrible rattling sound.

It seems to be coming from the right hand side of the engine, disapears after you reach a reasonable speed (35 - 40mph) can't be heard when you get it moving in 3r, 4th or 5th gear, or when the engine is not labouring , accelerating or under load.

The noise does not go up direcly in proportion with engine revs, only to a point - ie not like a sticking hydraulic tappet might. It sounds almost like something loose somewhere?

I bought the car with 70,000 miles on it and a FSH. I change the oil and filters evey 7500 miles and use a good quality semi-synthetic oil.

I have had the drivebelt changed, and the belt tensioner assembly. Six months ago the bottom pulley broke (metalised rubber came away from the centre of the pulley), so this was replaced and everything checked out again at that time and another new drive belt fitted.

Cam belt was changd at 75,000 (mileage now 104,000)

As far as I can tell, the altenator, power steering pump and air con compresor are all original items and do not appear damaged in any way. Nor does there seem to be anything loose anywhere under the bonnet.

I am worried about this noise - usually rattling noises are the forerunner to expensive repairs. Is it likely to be cam belt or cam belt tensioner related? Anyone got any ideas? anyone had a similar experience?

Car, by the way runs fine, does about 38-39mpg, nothing else untoward (well except the obvious impending doom of replacing EGR valves almost every 12 months or so!)

Edited by Dynamic Dave on 20/06/2009 at 04:17

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