2005 Renault Trafic reviews

Renault Trafic dci100 lh29 2005

A good van. Just clocked 108k on a camping holiday around the south cost of Sweden. Filled up on fuel in Puttgarten, Germany, before getting the ferry and then on way home (same filling station); 560+ miles on a tank and still 1 bar left on the guage. Oh and it’s the DC100 LH29 (hightop LWB). It is chipped and pushing 130ps with sports induction - makes a difference to top end power. The build quality is not the best, however, every job I have done on it was not awkward. I have fitted new front wishbones; the previous owner being tight and just replacing the lower ball joint on one side, which upset the chassis and track. Don’t adjust the tracking to compensate for the bodge up, if you have to tweek the tracking then something else is wrong and you need to find route cause. I also replaced the ARB drop links and track rod ends while I was at it. There is a knock from front when the van sways side to side over bumps so need to replace front sub-frame mounts, cast drop link, (2 bolts and they are off). PAS good. The gearbox grumbles so might need to recon it, but all parts are available online for the DIYers. A new clutch and slave cylinder; these are not the best built things, but if you do not replace the plastic feed pipe at the same time expect to be visiting the garage shortly. Have also fitted a new steering wheel, which was not expensive nor the new gater and knob for the gear stick. I have also replace the fuel hand priming pump as the one-way valve was shot thanks to rubbish UK fuel. To replace the hand pump buy just the front section, expensive 99euros, and swap the pumps over, you’ll need a hot air gun and screwdriver, a plumbers freeze spray is optional. This little pump when it fails causes the fuel filter housing to drain back to the  tank and you’ll only notice a problem when starting as it  keeps turning over before it catches. Check if the hand pump is hard, if you need to keep squeezing it every morning then it’s shot. Factory windows for this van are cheap; rear doors £65 each, basic sliding door window £125, sliding opening window £165, don’t forget the rubber strips at £20 each. 2005 Mondeo seats fit nicely, Vauxaull Sintra seat swivels £30, passenger one might be a bit high for some people. The front seat belts are not long enough for the larger sized person. Gears clunk into gear when cold so get the G/box oil replaced and filled with the proper Renault stuff then it’s sweet. Change this oil about every 20k and then you can also check the bearings, if they are going metal shards will be found on the housing sump plug. The rear brake callipers can seize due to the rubber gater perishing over time and allowing water to get in; a recon kit is available on the net or buy an exchange unit for £80. Ensure the retaining clip on the handbrake cable shroud is properly fitted otherwise you will need new pads, disks and bearings. The cam belt is easy; you need to remove the engine mounts, wheel and plastic covers, the crank pulley is on tight so you need to fabricate a tool to stop it from moving while you’re undoing the big bolt! Flush out the intercooler every time you do the air filter, plus take of the EGR valve and clean it, you will be amazed at the debris in there. The older cars had a collection tank, but the new ones take the crank case breather pipe and plug it back into the inlet manifold so it can burn its own rubbish, nice! Oh the curry hook can be removed and replace with another 12volt socket as the power feed is there behind it. My 54 reg van is still on the original battery. If the fuel filler plastic surround leaks, you need to remove and replace the sealing strip with a bead of silicone or draft excluder strip to stop water getting in to the sills from here and freezing in winter. Water can also get in to the other sill so drain them periodically and fill with waxoil to prevent rusting. The fuel tank supply line as it exits can kink at the sender unit! Go under and warm it up and tweek it back straight, don’t be too force full as the replacement pipe comes in two halves now, so at 99-120euros per piece be careful. The air filter can rub onto the injector wires so pull the box off, and fit a few washers under the mounting points, about 10mm/15mm will do it. The mass airflow meter rubs on the aluminium cast air inlet and can rub through it leaving a leaking manifold, also the plastic pipe from the airbox to the inlet can get worn through and allows air to escape causing a pressure drop, which upsets the ecu and the boost pressure sensor/ wastegate control valve, the little black thing mounted on the side of the ecu casing in the engine bay with small black pipes going to it. So, to summarise, there are basic problems with the Renault Trafic, but care and attention plus some mechanical appreciation of the engine etc, will ensure it lasts long enough. Don’t forget all the swb and lwb low roofs are built by British workers! High tops are built in France so these might be better put together then the others. Oh and the VW gearbox is just as bad as the Trafic’s box, but they eat drive shafts. yum!