1997 Renault Espace head gasket - impossible??

[Nomad]

I've been offered a very smart 1997 diesel Renault Espace with engine problems. Ok so far...

A quick search says it's best to drop the subframe with engine & box, then lift the body off with a 4 poster ramp or a forklift / tractor to change the headgasket as the engine is wedged under the dash

What are the other options??

Photos of the offending vehicle, very nice but..


Does anyone have any experience?

I know Renaults used wet liners in the early 90s, not sure what is on the Espace.

Many thanks

Edit: photo added, details corrected

 

[qwakers]

What car is it, traffic, scenic or espace? You changed your mind 3 times...

 

[dave h 2]

Just don't turn it over with the head off

 

[Trevorleach]

I did a head on the previous model about 20 years ago.
All I can remember is everything was difficult.

 

[jmp49]

Never worked on one that new, but a google search throws up this response from someone that's done it that its possible in the car still but you have to undo everything and then roll it all forward in the bay, at which point you might as well drop the engine out as its less work and quicker. https://www.justanswer.com/uk-car/1c46f-possible-remove-cylinder-head-1998-2.html

Does the front grille/panel unbolt on this generation still? if so, you dont need to lift it that high if its the same as the older ones, just enough to let the engine/box/subframe roll out the front as a unit.
I broke one of the older matra built grp Espace's in a lockup garage with my sketchy old engine crane and some sleeper offcuts after father in law smashed the front of it on a animal that ran out, and even on that the engine looked like a cow to get to in situ. I just wanted the transaxle from it (un1 variant on that specific one) so it was coming out in a unit anyway, lifted shell up off the motor with a engine crane with the front off and threw sleepers under the front body, and just rolled it forward.

They are a cow to work on in general though, if your a masochist it'll be fine.

 

[Barking Mat]

Aren't these ones plagued with problems ?

 

[dobbslc]

Aren't these ones plagued with problems ?

It's a Renault

 

[Nomad]

Aren't these ones plagued with problems ?

Anything specific I should look into? I know very little about 90s Renaults*

* My only experience with them is driving a borrowed clio, and buying a van with a blown head gasket @jmp49 gets it - I've just realised I have a masochistic streak https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/renault-traffic-mk1-getting-stuck-in.139536/

Another review saying lift the car off the subframe to work on the engine (or to replace the wiper motor). French chic at its quirkiest, what else could possibly go wrong?? https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=45234

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

My mate had an espace years ago...it was a beautiful drive....so smooth and quiet.

....well it was until the cam belt snapped, bill for repair was huge (and this was many years ago)....got scrapped in the end I think.

Best avoided IMHO.

 

[chrismac]

is it just the head gasket? I would be tempted to throw a bottle of steel seal in, follow the instructions, remove the injector from the cylinder(s) if it will run on 2, if 1 or 2 are shot, remove thermostat, flush and add the stuff, (apologies if you know these already)

I did on a laguna years ago, its lasted the life of the car for me.