Problem with a Renault 1.2 TCe? Tips from Auto Plus

All the models concerned belong to the Renault group (Renault, Dacia, Nissan), except rare Mercedes Citan (derived from the Kangoo) gasoline. They use the 1,197 cc four-cylinder called 1.2 TCe (code H5Ft, used internally and on dedicated discussion forums), at Renault, and 1.2 DIG-T, at Nissan (engine code HRA2DDT). This block, widely used, was in the catalog from 2012 to 2018.

How

know if I have a problem?

If your vehicle consumes more than 0.5 liters of oil per 1000 km, you are affected! According to Renault, the cars in question are those whose engine was manufactured from 2012, the date of its appearance, to May 11, 2016, the date on which, at the latest, the improvements were applied at the factory (see the section: the problems identified ). Please note that these are engine manufacturing dates. Clearly, a car put into circulation in June 2016 can be affected. Potentially, all cars with the Euro 5 standard (to be checked on line V9 of the gray card) are affected, but also the Euro 6. Because the testimonies of certain professionals, concrete cases in support, and owners of models recent questions cast doubt on the scope of the modifications made.

How to prevent breakage on the 1.2 TCe?

Do not expect a miracle, nothing can "save" an affected engine. However, a few tips can limit the damage: > Watch the oil level. As consumption can exceed 0.5 l/1,000 km, the sump can be emptied before the first service. It is therefore necessary to carry out a check every 3,000 km maximum. > Scrupulously follow the maintenance plan. And if possible in the network, the support being then more generous, and granted from the outset. Read also: Reliability: the barometer of car manufacturers by brand Used: a model from 1000 €, it's possible!

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Here is the list of Groupe Renault models that have a technical problem with the 1.2 TCe: – 100 hp: Renault Mégane 4 – 115 hp: Dacia Lodgy and Dokker, Mercedes Citan, Nissan Juke, Pulsar and Qashqai 2, Renault Mégane 3, Scénic 3 and 4 and Kangoo 2 – 120 hp: Renault Clio 4 and Captur – 125 hp: Dacia Duster 1 – 130 hp: Renault Mégane 3 and 4, Scénic 4 and Kadjar Your car is fitted with this engine and you are experiencing an overconsumption problem oil (0.5 l/1,000 km)? Find advice from Auto Plus on how to get repairs from the manufacturer and if it doesn't do enough, join the collective Casse- Moteur-Renault.weebly.com. Read also: What participation to ask the manufacturer for my faulty 1.2 TCe?

Here is the list of identified issues. We remind you that the nervousness of the engine can cause it to break.

Cylinder sealing

A segmentation problem is the cause of overconsumption of oil. In question, an insufficient hardness of the piston rings and an excessive pressure differential. Eventually, risk of clogging of the valves, or even engine failure (6,000 €), from 50,000 km. Some blocks have also been replaced under warranty. Reprogramming is planned by Renault to reduce the pressure differential between the intake manifold and the bottom of the cylinder, and therefore the risk of oil aspiration (the initial setting of the injection computer is qualified as inadequate in internal documents). Initially carried out following a customer complaint concerning oil consumption, it was then carried out systematically in the network during the 30,000 km service (without informing the owner). In parallel, adoption of a superior quality of chrome plating of the segments. Problem, some tests carried out in-house highlight an oil consumption of up to 0.3 l/1000 km on cars benefiting from the new segments.

The distribution chain

It loosens or becomes noisy, before The chain case may then show signs of wear in its upper part. Several possible causes. Internal Renault-Nissan documents mention the chain tensioner and/or a vibration of the camshaft shifter, due to a too low oil level. Vibration itself at the origin of the elongation of the chain. In some cases, a failure of the oil pump is also mentioned. Please note that the timing chain could be wrongly blamed in the event of poor compression, especially if the overconsumption of oil has not been detected or reported by the customer.

valves

Exhaust valve melting case. In question, the calamine coming from the intake valve which passes between the seat and the exhaust valve, causing a loss of tightness and/or igniting when the piston reaches its maximum compression point. Again, the origin of the problem comes from the segmentation fault, generating an accumulation of oil. More rarely, the valve stem seals are defective. Another concern: the knock sensor, an unresolved defect of the knock sensor leading to the appearance of the self-ignition phenomenon. On this point, Renault's internal documents indicate poorer detection on cylinders 1 and 4, located further from the sensor. However, other non-network professionals and internal tests incriminate cylinder 3, on which the detection would not occur. Read also: The problems identified on the 1.2 TCe Renault

In the absence of a scale engraved in stone, at Renault everything is dealt with on a case-by-case basis. When the engine is to be changed, the brand generally grants 70 to 90% coverage between 40,000 and 70,000 km, if the maintenance has been carried out according to the recommendations, and in the network. If the deadlines are exceeded, it is often more complicated… Beyond 100,000 km, internal Renault documents exclude the replacement of the engine, even when the oil consumption exceeds 0.5 l/1,000 km.

And if the manufacturer does not do enough?

A collective has organized itself to come to the aid of all those concerned, and to collect information on the subject: Casse-engine-renault.weebly.com If Renault's participation is insufficient or non-existent, to send a request for support total or partial to customer service, follow the procedure indicated in the section “the standard letter to request a complaint from the after-sales service“. The percentage to be requested varies with the estimated life of the offending part. In the slideshow, you will find the list of problem organs on the 1.2 TCe, produced in collaboration with our experts. > For example, for an oil pump failure at 120,000 km, our schedule recommends full reimbursement up to 100,000 km, and half again at 200,000 km. Participation therefore drops by 1% every 2,000 km between 100,000 and 200,000 km. The oil pump failure arriving 20,000 km after the milestone of 100,000 km, it is necessary to withdraw 20,000 ÷ 2,000, or 10%, and claim 90% of support. > In the case of a timing chain to be replaced at 162,000 km, coverage drops from 50% at 150,000 km to 0% at 300,000 km, ie 1% less every 3,000 km. The participation would therefore be 46% in this case, which you can round up to 50% if the car is less than 5 years old. Note: some internal Renault documents exclude cars with more than 100,000 km. You will therefore have to insist on asserting your rights. Read also: The standard letter for a complaint to the after-sales service

This letter will help you to claim support from the customer relations service at the manufacturer's headquarters. Help yourself with the support table (photo in the slideshow). Note: for a vehicle over 5 years old, negotiation with the after-sales service becomes more difficult, but you have to try it. On the other hand, under the law, as soon as this threshold is reached, the manufacturer and the dealer who sold the new car are released from all liability (Article L. 110-4 of the Commercial Code). You then no longer have any legal recourse for hidden defects or lack of conformity (in the event of a second-hand purchase, an action against the seller remains possible).

Example of a standard letter

Madam, Sir, Owner of the vehicle [brand-model-serial number] displaying XXXXX km, I suffered a breakdown on [affected component]. This damage is abnormal and unacceptable on a perfectly maintained car. It is necessarily, at this mileage, a construction or design defect. Also, please bear XX% of the cost of bringing it back into conformity, according to the attached estimate. In the absence of a concrete offer from you, I will not hesitate to have recourse to my legal protection and to initiate, if necessary, a procedure for hidden defect / lack of conformity. Sincerely, Signature. Also read: The list of 1.2 TCe Renault, Nissan, Dacia and Mercedes affected