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KNOWN FAULTS · Renault

Renault Scénic (III) / Grand Scénic (III) 1.5 dCi (K9K) common problems.

2009–2016 · Diesel

Sources are not verified in real time and no entry confirms that your car is affected.

5 known faults with sources

Applies if: Weak points of this model from inspections, breakdown statistics and recalls; anything specific to one engine is stated in the sheet.

Starter motor, brakes, suspension and rust on the Scénic IIIKnown weak points
Engine / equipment
Renault Scénic III and Grand Scénic III (petrol and diesel)
Period mentioned
2009–2016
Symptoms
A failing starter (especially 2009–2010), worn or cracked brake discs from the seventh year, broken springs, joints and steering at the roadworthiness test, rusty underbody after about five years, failing exhaust and lights; on diesels, the boost-pressure sensor.
Possible cause described
TÜV data collected by the guide. Recalls: untightened seat-runner bolts, a vacuum pump that could remove brake assistance, injection software for low manifold vacuum and automatic-gearbox software.
Check for the garage
Check the campaigns by VIN (vacuum pump, seats); check discs, springs, joints and underbody.
Cost cited in the source
No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

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1.5 dCi timing belt or pulley failureValve timing
Engine / equipment
1.5 dCi (K9K)
Period mentioned
2009–2011
Symptoms
Noise or squeal around the belts; if the timing belt breaks, the engine stops suddenly and can be badly damaged.
Possible cause described
On 2009–2011 engines, pulleys and timing or auxiliary belts were reported to break.
Check for the garage
Keep to the timing-belt interval and always replace the full kit (belt, rollers and pulleys); check the auxiliary belt and its pulley.
Cost cited in the source
No verified estimate; ask the garage for a timing-kit quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

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Clogged particulate filter on the 1.5 dCiExhaust and emissions
Engine / equipment
1.5 dCi (K9K) with particulate filter
Period mentioned
2010 onwards
Symptoms
Particulate-filter or emissions warning, limp mode with loss of power and frequent regenerations.
Possible cause described
The filter clogs, especially on cars that mostly make short town trips and never complete a regeneration.
Check for the garage
Read the soot load with a diagnostic tool, run a forced regeneration at the garage and check the differential-pressure sensors and EGR. Make long road trips now and then.
Cost cited in the source
No verified estimate; from a regeneration to replacing the filter.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

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EGR valve sticking with deposits on the 1.5 dCiExhaust and emissions
Engine / equipment
1.5 dCi (K9K) with an electric EGR valve
Period mentioned
No specific period published
Symptoms
Uneven idle, jerks when accelerating, lack of power or the engine going into limp mode, sometimes with the engine warning light on.
Possible cause described
Soot and oil deposits leave the EGR valve stiff, stuck closed or not closing fully. According to Pierburg it is rarely a fault of the valve itself: the oil comes through the crankcase breather, a turbo with worn bearings or a blocked oil return, late oil changes or too high a level, and many short trips, above all in winter.
Check for the garage
At the workshop: read the codes with diagnostic equipment (EOBD P0400 to P0404 or P0172; Renault DF077, DF084 or DF241), test the valve electrically and its opening with the engine warm, and find where the oil comes from (breather, turbo, level). Pierburg advises against cleaning it, as it can be damaged: it is replaced if faulty, and an engine ECU update sometimes solves it.
Cost cited in the source
No verified estimate; ask the workshop for a quote for the EGR valve.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

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Applies if: Only if the injection pump is a Delphi (it says so on the pump): depending on the version, the 1.5 dCi has Delphi or Siemens/Continental.

Delphi injection on the 1.5 dCi: air in the fuel, metal swarf, regulator or injectorsInyección
Engine / equipment
1.5 dCi (K9K) with Delphi common-rail injection
Period mentioned
No specific period published
Symptoms
Hard to start or will not start, stalls, loses power or jerks; sometimes air bubbles show in the clear fuel pipe.
Possible cause described
The usual faults of the K9K's Delphi system are air getting into the low-pressure circuit, metal swarf from the pump contaminating the whole system, the pump's inlet metering valve (IMV), injectors with too much return flow and the rail pressure sensor.
Check for the garage
At the workshop, in this order: look for air and leaks in the low-pressure circuit and prime it; check the fuel filter bowl for metal swarf (if there is any, the whole injection system is replaced); measure the rail pressure, the IMV regulator's resistance (4.8–5.8 Ω) and each injector's return flow (25 ml at most in the test). A new injector's code must be written into the ECU.
Cost cited in the source
No verified estimate; it varies widely, from a filter or the regulator to the whole injection system.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

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Other engines of the Renault Scénic (III) / Grand Scénic (III)