10 Most Common Car Part Repairs

Owning a Renault is a big responsibility, and sometimes, a very frustrating one. While we'd all love it if our cars withstood time with grace, they need a lot of TLC in order to stay operational and looking good. When you purchase a new or used Renault, it's important to think about this act as if you were having another child. It may not require as much attention and care as a baby, but it will need to be given baths (car wash,) taken to the doctor (mechanic,) and fed well (fluid changes) in order to survive.

And even with all that work, there will still be some unexpected surprises that pop up as time goes on. Just like your child could get a broken leg or come down with the flu, your car may have a few Renault parts that break down. Here are the most common you can expect throughout the life of the car.

 

Common Repairs and Replacement Car Parts Needed

Oil Changes- Changing the oil and oil filter in your Renault is an important step in keeping it healthy. The amount of time between oil changes varies, depending on how old your car is. Engine technology in new vehicles allows for longer intervals between oil changes, sometimes between 7,500 miles and 10,000 miles. Older vehicles may need more frequent changes between 3,000 miles and 5,000 miles.

Forgetting to change your oil and filter can result is some major problems. Dirty oil isn't as effective as clean oil, and can lead to:

• The engine running too hot

 

• Lack of lubrication

 

• Less efficiency of the engine

 

• Complete shutdown of the engine

 

Windscreen Wipers- These car parts may be small, but they are essential to your safety behind the wheel. Without them, you may not be able to see through the windscreen efficiently on rainy, snowy, or foggy days. They generally need to be replaced every one or two years, but they can break down much more quickly in warm climates, especially if they sit outside in the sun.

Spark Plugs- The spark plugs in your Renault are times to fire at exactly the right moment, each time, to give your engine the power it needs. When these Renault parts misfire or don't fire at all, your car will have trouble operating. While there may only be one or two spark plugs to blame for the engine misfire, it's recommended that all the spark plugs be changed at the same time. This not only saves you time in trying to figure out which one is to blame, but it also ensures you won't have to deal with the issue again any time soon. If you only replace one, another may go out in the next week or month, requiring another search expedition.

Catalytic Converters- These car parts fail for one of two reasons: either there is a leak that has allowed corrosion and rust to develop or the interior of the converter is plugged up due to a collapsed catalyst or baffle or carbon buildup. This part is vital to both your car and the environment, as it burns up any petrol that hasn't been burned and cleans the tailpipe emissions. Replacing the catalytic converter is one of the first steps to fixing this problem, but you'll also need to delve deeper to discover why the converter was clogged in the first place and repair that issue. Otherwise, the same thing will happen again.

Car Batteries- Car batteries aren't designed to last forever; they actually only survive four to six years. After this, they will need to be replaced. Unfortunately, when they die, they don't give much advance warning.

Ignition Systems- When a car won't start, the most common reason is due to the battery (see above,) but sometimes the problem can go much deeper- all the way to the ignition system. This can include a variety of car parts, including:

• Camshaft position sensor

 

• Crankshaft position sensor

 

• Ignition coil

 

• Electronic control module

 

• Knock sensor

 

• Spark plug wires

 

• Distributor and distributor cap

 

• Spark plugs

 

• Ignition rotor
  

Because there are so many different parts working together in this system, a higher level of expertise is often needed to diagnose the actual problem. While the diagnostics may cost more initially, trusting in a mechanic can save you money in the long run. After all, it will prevent you from guessing which parts to replace.

 

Coolant Systems- Every two to three years, your Renault is going to need to have its radiator flushed out. This is because antifreeze and coolant solutions don't last forever; they get weak over time. Flushing them out and replacing them with fresh fluid allows the radiator to function more efficiently.

Fuel System Repairs- If you frequently drive your Renault with as little petrol in the tank as possible, you may be hearing the phrase, “You need a new fuel pump,” much sooner than you'd like. This is an expensive repair, and one that most drivers leave the professionals. Because the fuel pump is needed to get fuel to the engine, a variety of problems can occur when one goes out. At first, the issue may be small. You may notice that the engine sputter when you're on the motorway, or you don't have as much power when you accelerate. The problems may become bigger, though. The vehicle may surge forward when you're foot isn't even on the accelerator or it may die unexpectedly when it's under stress. Eventually it will stop functioning altogether. Replacing the fuel pump is the only way to get your car back on the road.

Air Conditioning- The air conditioning system in your Renault is completely sealed, but over time, it can develop leaks. This is often due to vibrations that occur when you're driving. In order to repair this, a UV-sensitive dye is usually injected into the system to detect where the leak is. The most common areas for leaks to occur are the condenser, which can be damaged by debris from the road, dried out O-rings, the expansion value, and the evaporator. The latter two are typically the hardest to get to, and a professional may be needed to repair or replace them.

Transmissions- Transmission problems are the most dreaded of all car part issues. They're expensive and most often require the help of a professional due the specialised equipment and expertise needed to do the repairs.

 

Owning a car requires a lot of work on your part, but the results are worth it. When you put in the effort to maintain and repair the car parts necessary, you can have a reliable vehicle that will keep you on the road.