Just come across an interesting one. Clio very hard to start and poor running. Initially I though it was the "Sticky Valve" issue previously commented on. However it did not improve once started so I decided to check the valve clearences (Bit of a pain since inlet manifold has to be removed)

They were all closed up!

Now, I havent seen anythng like this for quite some time! Partially this is undoubtedly due to the fact that many (if not most) engines these days have hydralic valve adjustments but also the use of unleaded fuel has required the manufacturers to use harder metels for the valves and seats that simply do not wear at the same rate as those used in the past.

Now, Is this some sort of one off or is it an indication of an emerging problem? (Change in fuel composition etc)

I would be interested to see if anybody else has seen anything like this recently. In the past I thought nothing of whipping off the valve cover and adjusting the tappets (Old fiestas and metros in particular ) but these days the access is typically poor and it represents significant extra work (Not to mention expence, in this case the relevent gaskets from Renault cost nearly £50!) on top of the normal service so I dont do it anything like so often now.

Am I gong to have to persuade customers that this should be considered part of a routine service again??