MinorAffected: 2012-201950,000–100,000 miles

Renault Clio Mk4 0.9 TCe 90bhp — VVT Solenoid Oil Leak

The Variable Valve Timing (VVT) solenoid located on the top of the cylinder head leaks oil, which runs down the front of the engine.

Severity

Minor

DIY Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

£10–£80

OBD Codes

None

Component Diagram

Engine

Typical layout and location for the Engine assembly.

Reference Illustration

Symptoms

Oil pooling on the top of the engine block
Smell of burning oil if it drips onto the exhaust manifold
Slight hesitation on acceleration if the solenoid is failing

Root Cause

The rubber O-ring seal on the VVT solenoid shrinks and hardens over time, allowing pressurised oil to escape past it.

How To Fix

Wipe the area clean to confirm the leak is from the solenoid.
Simply unscrew the 10mm bolt, pull the solenoid out, and fit a new O-ring.
Alternatively, replace the entire solenoid if the engine has been hesitating (£60-80).
A very simple 10-minute DIY fix.

Estimated Repair Costs

Repair Option	Est. Cost (GBP)
DIY (parts only)	£4–£32
Independent Garage	£10–£80
Main Dealership	£16–£128

Other Faults on This Variant

Thermostat Housing Leak

Severe

2012-201940,000–80,000 miles£150–£200

The plastic thermostat housing on the 0.9 TCe warps and cracks, leading to a rapid loss of engine coolant and severe overheating risk.

Timing Chain Stretch and Rattle

Severe

2012-201950,000–90,000 miles£600–£800

The 0.9 TCe 3-cylinder engine suffers from premature timing chain stretch, causing an aggressive rattle and potentially fatal engine timing slip.

Keycard Failure / Not Detected

Minor

2012-201920,000–100,000 miles£40–£250

Renault's hands-free keycard system frequently fails to recognise the key, refusing to unlock the car or start the engine.

Disclaimer: Repair cost estimates are indicative and based on community data. Always get a quote from a qualified mechanic before proceeding with any repair.