R4 1973

[Trish B]

I am having trouble with my starter motor and may need a new armature.
Please advise where to get spare parts. I live in Zimbabwe but may have to import from UK or Europe? Thanks and greetings.

 

[Liam4R4SPARES]

Hi, what size engine is it ?

 

[Trish B]

re R4 1973 actually '75!

Hi Malcom,

Happy Easter!

I am not sure if I am supposed to reply via e-mail or internet (separate phone numbers in Zimbabwe) and we are not on broadband....

I see that my registration books says that my Renault 4 is 1975 not '73 as I said. It is a station wagong Net mass 720, Engin seriall no 800-01-2555751 One the engine itself it says Model R1123.

Hope this supplies the size of engine?

My mechanic believes that the auto-electricians have swopped my solinoid for another and he is taking the starter motor back to them for the third time. As chaos deepens here dishonesty and a cult of opportunism increases.

I am not sure, if eventually I need to import parts, how I would do this, but would be grateful to know costs, just in case.

Found my way on the internet site!!

Thanks very much for being so prompt. It is fun to find there are so many enthusiasts out there. The R4 has been a particularly good vehicle for Africa and I could sell mine three times a day. Are they still making them, I wonder.

All the best and looking forward to hearing from you,

Best regards,

Trish B

 

[Steve Hennessey]

Hello Trish,

I'm sure Liam may be able to help. I've a feeling that the earlier starters are different from the later GTL 1100cc starters. It's been a long time since I worked on a R1123.

Your biggest problem may be importing a starter into your country. You had better check to see if it's OK to do so considering the economic climate there. Some years ago a friend's cousin from Zimbabwe was visiting here and she said she had problems getting bits for her Mini as nothing was allowed to be imported at the time. She told me she had to drive over 100 miles just to buy a secondhand tyre!! I got her a parcel of useful parts together and she took them with her on the plane back. I think that was OK because she had purchased them over here with UK Pounds.

I hope the situation is now different and you can buy one from over here as someone here is bound to have one.

Good luck

Steve

 

[malcolm]

I had a message from Trish B (you need to post on the forum rather than replying to the emails )
>


Thanks Steve,

RE: R4 actually 1975 not 1973!

Good to have this contact. I am waiting to hear from my mechanic if he can get the motor fixed and if not I will contact Liam. I have sent Liam the details of my engine. There will be duty to pay, for sure, unless I can say it is second hand or get a relative to buy it and send as a gift. That may sound odd to you, but duties are used to prop up this dreadful govt. not to better or even run the country. We try to avoid assisting them.

The scene changes all the time so yes, I would have to investigate.

Grateful for your interest, I love the website and am tempted to follow some of the hints on servicing etc. I may yet become an R4 mechanic!

Regards,

Trish B

 

[Steve Hennessey]

Let's hope Liam can help, but one thing is for certain and that is the motor will be second-hand, so hopefully no duty to pay. If you go on Ebay UK you can always find workshop manuals very cheaply if you are determined to become an R4 mechanic! But you will need to grow as many arms as an octopus to tackle some of the jobs. Let us know how you get on.

Steve

 

[Liam4R4SPARES]

Hi, sorry do not have a starter motor for you 1 if yours is a R1123 does that make it a 850cc ?
Regards Liam
p.s i have haynes manuals if you need them ?