Elusive Spares
Sourcing parts for the older
Trafic vans is getting to be more difficult, but not impossible.
If you're struggling to find a part for an older Trafic, I'd suggest
the following sources:
1) Your local Motor Factor.
These are the people who supply parts to garages, and are really
good at helping you. You need to know what to ask for - remember
to quote the
year, size and engine capacity of your van. Ideally take the old
part down with you to
show them. Don't be put off by the lack of fancy premises (like
Halfords) these guys
know their stuff and can order you things you need usually by
next day delivery.
2) Your local Renault dealer. You can get a pleasant surprise
from Renault that your
parts are still available, and sometimes at not too extortionate
a cost. You can help them a lot if you can quote the Renault Part
number (usually beginning with a '7') that you need. That way,
even if your vehicle itself is too old for their computerised
system, the part may still be found.
3) A vehicle breakers, such as Vic Barlow (01302 846444) or a
similar place close
to you who can supply you who breaks light commercial vehicles.
Yellow pages should help you find one (look under Vehicle Dismantlers').
Again, same rules about identifying the parts apply as in (1).
Be aware too that second hand parts can suffer from the same kind
of wear and tear as the one you are trying to replace! There are
also some internet based vehicle breakers with useful search engines.
4) This club. Several members, like myself, have some parts, left
over from old vans, or donated or kept for a rainy day. There's
no harm in asking! Club spares are reserved for club members,
but it's quite inexpensive to join (you might get some free advice
too).
5) www.ebay.co.uk. Ebay has the possibility of being a very useful
website for finding
that elusive spare part. You do however need to be doubly sure
that it is the right spare
for your van, as with an internet auction, you can't take it back
if it doesn't fit! I search for ren* traf* and check the results.
This is because you'd be surprised how many people who list their
spares can't spell 'Renault' or put 2 'f's in Trafic! By putting
a * in the search it picks up all possibilities. The usual cautions
about buying over the internet apply, but I've personally found
that 9 out of 10 parts bought through ebay work out fine.
When the going gets tough…..
If your van's engine or gearbox goes, but the rest of the vehicle
is OK, if you can't
find a replacement Trafic engine it can be possible to find engines
from other vehicles which are the same as the Trafic . For example,
there are some other Renault models (notable the 18, 21 and fuego
and perhaps some others) that shared the same engine as
the early Mk1 Trafic. Notable the 2068cc diesel engine continued
for a long time in the Renault Espace. Also, some Volvos around
the 340 and 440 model used the same
1397, 1647 and 1721cc engines as the Trafic. If you could find
one of these vehicles
being broken or for sale, you MIGHT find that they have the right
engine or gearbox
for you - again, check VERY CAREFULLY before buying.
Best Wishes
Chris Stebbing
RTMR Technical Officer
