Michael McAleer answers your queries.
From Michael Garde:
I am writing to you as I have a concern about the previous model of the Renault Scenic.
Last June our engine seized up. Upon investigation I discovered that the power steering pulley had totally disengaged, cut into the fan belt and then made the timing belt mistime (remarkably the timing belt is totally intact). Then parts of the belt penetrated into the engine and did catastrophic damage.
I subsequently discovered that two of the bolts holding the pulley had come off and the third was loose. It has come to my attention that Renault has since modified the pulley and it now has a press fit. It would seem that Renault dealers when servicing their cars now tend to take out the original pump pulley regardless of the failure or otherwise of the ancillary belt/belt pulley. The resultant damage to my car could NOT have ensued in an engine with an adequately designed and manufactured Cam Timing Belt Cover.
It was this failure of protection, NOT the loss of the ancillary belt and pulley, which caused the massive damage and the consequent need to replace the head completely.
This 1999 car was purchased in January 2000 and received a year's warranty. In June 2003 the car was just short of four years old when the damage occurred and had done 38,500 miles.
I would be grateful if any of your readers could confirm similar types of problems with their Scenic or other Renault cars, with regard to the power steering pulley.
According to a Renault spokesperson, the company has no record of any problems with this part. However, if you have recorded similar problems, e-mail us at the helpdesk.
From Ciaran Canning:
I've just bought a new car and I love it. But my wife keeps reminding me about the fact that even as I write this, it's depreciating. Any advice on how I can stop the tide?
First, congratulations on your purchase. I think you should enjoy the sweet smell of the new car and its gleaming panels for a while before you get caught up in the dour financials.
Depreciation, like taxes, is a fact of life in the motor trade and yes, your car probably lost in excess of 20 per cent when it left the forecourt. But you are not planning to sell it next week so think about the longer term. Apart from that initial hit, the car will take another two or three years to fall by the same amount.
While you can't stop the sands of time (unless you bought a Ferrari Enzo or Porsche Carrera GT) there are some things you can do to cushion the blow. First and foremost, keep a good service record and never scrimp on repairs.
As with your own health, early diagnosis of scratches and mechanical problems can save thousands in the long run.
A senior industry figure from Germany recently expressed his shock at the state of the Irish car fleet and their poor service history. The fact that some astute businessmen can spend over €50,000 on a new car and then avoid regular servicing puzzled our German friend, particularly as it will cost them more in depreciation when they go to resell it.
Finally, keep your car clean and regularly wash it. It may mean above average return when you go to resell it.
From Fred Jones:
With reference to comments about speedometers, I have this to contribute. Whilst driving daily on the N69 - quite a narrow road with many bends - I am regularly overtaken whilst obeying the posted speed limits. I began to suspect the speedometer indicated in kph on my imported Toyota.
Rather than have it professionally calibrated, I decided (with the aid of my wife) on a do-it-yourself trial.
Being a yachtsman I got my GPS from my vessel and changed the readout from nautical units to kph and subsequently mph and to my delight the reading was 100 per cent accurate on a 10-year-old vehicle. I observe that road manners have improved since the advent of the penalty point system.
From Conor O'Sullivan:
Compare the recent trip to Mars and the Luas line:
Earth to Mars: approx. 77 million kms
NASA Spirit cost: about €321 million
Launched: 10-06-2003
Landed: January 2004
Status: working
Length of first two Luas lines: approx. 25 kms
Luas cost so far: about €675 million
Construction of Line A, commenced in September 1999.
Status: not working
Send your queries to:
Motors Help Desk, The Irish Times, Fleet Street, Dublin 2 - or e-mail them to motorshelp@irish-times.ie