TEMPL4R

If it's main purpose is the carriage of goods, it's commercial. Being used for Commerce. Chris

How worn are the tyres? Try putting the rears to the front and see if the noise moves or goes. Try reversing with hard right lock, if it bangs, the rear subframe, front OS mounting is breaking the captive nut out of the frame/chassis. If the VC had seized, it can easily take the rear diff or IRD with it. The diff mounts are all OK are they? Chris

When I worked on the buses in the 1970's we had 2 Matadors and a Militant recovery trucks, they, or something very similar were fitted to the front so that bogied trailers could be pushed. Tank transporters had the same. Chris

We have no reason not to test on LPG, we just move the cursor on the Analyser to LPG. If it passes or fails, it still costs the MOT fee, so it's no matter to me, I just test as presented. Cats are not a requiremnet for MOT, we just do emmissions, they could be a requirement for C and U though, but as we are not concerned with those regs, I don't know. Chris

It is fumes coming past the rings, but the breather system should cope with that unless the engine is badly worn. Check for blockages or split pipes. If you only have the filler cap with the gauze mesh in, clean it out. Chris

Have you got the thick cover over the rocker box? That makes a real difference. Chris

The other place that is worth checking is the pipe at the back of the water pump. We are seeing signs of corrosion and small pinholes appearing plus the o rings are starting to soften. I've had one freelander and various Rover cars do it. Look for signs of rust running down the back of the block. Put your hand down the back of the inlet manifold and see if it feels wet. Chris

This (whatever it is) That is the advance Les, you can see where it joins the cam ring. it moves and advances the point of injection when the engine speeds up. A bit like the advance on a distributor. Sometimes there is a big disc, that is a damper. Chris

Funnily enough, had another Renault in today, broken turbine shaft. Chris

It could be worth checking the Turbo shaft hasn't snapped, it is very common on renault 1.9s. Then as Les says, whip the head off if it's OK. Chris

have you got hill descent (HDC)? there is a switch on the gearbox that 1st gear contacts, make sure that isn't sticking. Chris

Sorry, didn't see that in your first post. If it's a hire vehicle,what are the hire company doing about it? Does it smoke while you crank it? It's fly by wire, what about the stop light switch, is that OK? It might be worth Les or myself asking JONV8 on LRUK, he is very good on LR diagnostics. Chris

The K series oil pump is similar to a lot of modern engines, it sits at the front of the engine, in the front cover. it is driven off 2 flats on the crank. If the seals go, the pump itself wears or the pressure release valve sticks shut, oil finds its way out the centre and gets behind the front crank seal. Get them to check there. Chris

We've had this problem on Rover cars with thier version of the 2 litre, it was the pump itself,around £400 for a repair. Chris

Most of the oil comes in from the brake depression valve ( the engine breather to everybody else) the pipe attaches just before the turbo intake. It's usually a sign that the element needs changing. Chris