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Renault Espace 2004 2lt petrol engine auto trans
Several problems with this car all started at the same time.
Firstly, when cold the engine starts first time and the car drives as you would expect. Once warm however, the car goes into limp mode and is difficult to get over 30 mph unless going down hill. Also when warm the car will not start first time and run. It will start but stops almost immediately. This must be repeated two or three times before the engine runs normally.
At about the same time we noticed an oil leak –not sure from where- and found the oil level seriously low. Topping up did not cure the problems. No warning lights are showing so, can we have your opinion as to the cause of our problem please?
Firstly, when cold the engine starts first time and the car drives as you would expect. Once warm however, the car goes into limp mode and is difficult to get over 30 mph unless going down hill. Also when warm the car will not start first time and run. It will start but stops almost immediately. This must be repeated two or three times before the engine runs normally.
At about the same time we noticed an oil leak –not sure from where- and found the oil level seriously low. Topping up did not cure the problems. No warning lights are showing so, can we have your opinion as to the cause of our problem please?
Asked on 6 January 2011 by BFSF
Answered by
Alan Ross
Of all your problems, the oil leak sounds rather serious. If as you say topping up did not cure it,then you need to find the leak asap.
You need to look around the engine very carefully to see if you have a leak, also when you park the car at night place some card under the engine area so you can check in the morning.
If you do not have any obvious leaks then it suggests that you are burning oil.Is there a lot of smoke coming from the exhaust, if so then you may have internal problems, ie valve seals etc.
As for the limp mode you may need to have the car undergo a diagnostic check which should then show a code as to what the fault could be.
You need to look around the engine very carefully to see if you have a leak, also when you park the car at night place some card under the engine area so you can check in the morning.
If you do not have any obvious leaks then it suggests that you are burning oil.Is there a lot of smoke coming from the exhaust, if so then you may have internal problems, ie valve seals etc.
As for the limp mode you may need to have the car undergo a diagnostic check which should then show a code as to what the fault could be.
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