Dropped Valves.

MOEGSEEN

MEMBER
2001 RENAULT MEGANE
175,000 MILES

Dear Sir,
I have a Megane Coupe: 16 Valve.
On two occasions, some valves dropped and slammed into the piston. After the first mishap, I bought a 2nd hand engine and replaced the parts. This was about 5 years after I bought and drove the car. The car was a 2nd hand car when I bought it. After replacing the damaged piston and valves, the car drove for about 1 year before the same problem occurred. Current the head is with the engineers to be repaired, and when we get the head, we intend assembling the engine, to get the car on the road again.
My question is: why has this happened twice, and is there advice your good selves may be able to give me to help overcome this problem.
I Thank you and I wish you a happy day.

1 Reply

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
20,757 POSTS

I would bet the used parts probably have a lot to do with it.

It's apparent that the engine is prone to this issue and extra care has to be taken. I would replace all the valve springs and keepers with new from the dealer. There is a good possibility the manufacturer has an updated version to correct the obvious problem the engine has.

We don't have that car in the US so I have no data or specifics on it