Renault Espace 3 (1997) diesel none runner

[Nomad]

First things first, this wasn't my fault.. I called in to see it as it was en-route to a friend I was visiting.
The seller told me it was taxed, insured and mot'd until the end of the month (next week!) then it was going for scrap. They offered it to me as a freebie rather than send it to be crushed, they even delivered it

The main fault - it used to drink a lot of water, they ran it like that for a while but it eventually overheated "and made a funny noise" so it go parked up. Best case it needs a new head gasket, worst case the engine is scrap.

Many thanks to everyone who offered advice when I said I was considering it, I may regret ignoring the "Don't do it" advice @Pigeon_Droppings2 @jmp49

Space-ship stying direct from the 90s


It an oddball French classic that is famous / infamous for being difficult to work on. What could possibly go wrong?

 

[Nomad]

I fitted new batteries in the key fob and a charged 12v van battery bit I can’t get the immobiliser to turn off.

Red led in the roof console is always lit.


The diesel pump has 3 wires. What are they for / what voltages should I see there?


I’m getting no power to the glow plugs which I guess is related to the immobiliser.

A drivers handbook would be helpful, also a workshop manual.

All suggestions welcome

 

[frank horton]

u've not mentioned the electronics yet.....interior it total carp....

I believe that the cylinders are not cast into the block at the head leval...
so everything moves and blows the h/gasket.....
best get a running engine but it's / vehicle is still worth nothing .....
there will be something similar that still runs...
the top arrow is the stop solenoid valve....open when live, off when ign is switched off.....
cant see the other wires but knowing Reno they'll prob be connected to a sencer that triggers the comp.....

best thing to do is get rid and buy an early T4 Transporter.....

 

[Nomad]

It was like that when I got it - and I suspect that’s not a factory weld

 

[frank horton]

mine is a 99, 1.9TD, no electronics....it's done 440,000klms...no rust anywhere other than paint chips.....
all it's had is a new alt, starter and complete brake rebuild oh plus a clutch.....n ball joints....
needs a gear lever rebuild kit desperatly.....
prob owned it for nearly 20 years now.....the wife loves it.........
thats cheap motering, still uses hardly any oil....which gets changed when it needs topping up that every 6 months....
PS, it's an artificial price but now worth over twice what I paid for it and we're always asked if we wanna sell it....

 

[OJCar]

What is the Cat repairing this time?

 

[Blobber]

A free motor, what's not to like!

 

[Nomad]

It's alive (and seems happy to start up again when I turn it off)
It would be nice to not have to glow plugs running from a yard long bit of solid copper cable flashed onto the battery before starting but for a freebie I'm not complaining

I'd still like to know how the solenoid in the fuel pump, and the glow plug relay are supposed to operate...

 

[mr haynes]

Run wire inside to a switch, no more inappropriate dirty mac visuals to the battery

 

[Tom O]

View attachment 489952

What is the Cat repairing this time?

Stealing the catalytic converter to maintain his catnip addiction.

 

[OJCar]

Stealing the catalytic converter to maintain his catnip addiction.

Seems a common problem ...

 

[Nomad]

More quirks. 5 quick-detach seats with 9 alternate mounting points. Copilot seat is on a 180* swivel base.
The hifi works but I can’t find where it is. I did find the remote control and a 6 disk changer in the boot


The injection pump seems to have something missing. There are 2 balls with nothing connected, clean screw holes (what was there?) and a spring loaded arm (cold start? ) that isn't hooked up.


Never a dull day

 

[Nomad]

After some research, I'm still undecided about the best way forward

A great site with an online drivers handbook (a shame I can't find a way to save it to the pc) https://www.manualpdf.in/renault/espace-2002/manual?p=161



Another site with a few more manuals https://www.manualslib.com/r/renault+espace.html

One mechanic suggested dropping the subframe then using a forklift or a jcb to lift the body - but I don't have anything like that in my workshop.
I even ended up taking the dash out yesterday (necessary yo fix a blown bulb on the dash clocks!), I was even considering cutting an access hole in the shell where the dash is above the engine - but the blower & heater are in the way.
Will be putting it over an inspection pit to see if that make the job look any easier.

 

[Farside]

A great site with an online drivers handbook (a shame I can't find a way to save it to the pc) https://www.manualpdf.in/renault/espace-2002/manual?p=161

Top right, the 'print' icon. Save as pdf on your machine. Need to do it a page at a time.

 

[Robotstar5]

Top right, the 'print' icon. Save as pdf on your machine. Need to do it a page at a time.

I do that using the "print to file" option

 

[Nomad]

Prep work to see what the options are. Slam panel & front plastics off. Bumper iron & bottom cross member will unbolt.


Engine is type G8T, now I just need to find an engine manual, and a “how to remove an Espace head” guide.

 

[Nomad]

A couple of backlight bulbs were out on the clocks. The full dash has to come out to change them so it got tidied. Blue shoe polish wins


I also spent a full day dropping the subframe / engine / box then lifting the body.
Hopefully that will give me clearance to get the head over the head studs


Fun times

 

[dobbslc]

You are of course insane.

 

[Morris]

You are of course insane.

On here? How would you tell?

 

[Nomad]

You are of course insane.

I’ve had this conversation before on here ( I think with you). Results were inconclusive

Todays questions

Why? Just why ??

Next, how do I remove injectors? I need them out for access to the front headbolts (poor design), do I unscrew the top section using the flats then use a socket to remove the rest from the head? Advice / suggestions


Progress log : it’s taken a half day today just to get the cam cover off (engine was already dropped, everything blocks everything else …)