About to get my first Renault 4, asking for advice!

[malcolm]

My 73 had a black dashboard. Maybe it was late 73.

 

[angel]

Maybe he replaced the front part of the sump gasket (it's a 4 piece gasket) with a rope seal?

If it was built after July 1973, it's a 1974 model year and has black dashboard, and new style gearbox. Again, oval plate number would be a big help to determine actual model year. Swedish import makes sense since it has the newer style of pedal assembly.

 

[Andy McGhee]

My 72 UK-spec TL has a black dashboard and a front bumper with a starting-handle hole; the gearbox has no dog.
My first R4 was a 1970 TL - beige dash, and starting handle dog (much used..).

 

[angel]

1972 models have beige dashboards for sure.
The hole on the bumper was deleted along with the gearbox dog on 1972 model year cars. The bumper must had been replaced at some time with an earlier one.

 

[Andy McGhee]

1972 models have beige dashboards for sure.
The hole on the bumper was deleted along with the gearbox dog on 1972 model year cars. The bumper must had been replaced at some time with an earlier one.

UK brochure:



The brochure was finalised for printing on 31/12/72, so presumably 1973 model, but the 72 is to all intents and purposes identical. I had another 72 TL in the 90s - black dash/seats, but without the hole in the front bumper. It was an 'L' reg. The 72 (K reg) I have now looks just like the one in the brochure, but with the hole in the front bumper. I imagine Renault just used up the stock of bumpers they had.
I'm pretty sure that these details varied; the point of my message was to suggest that it's unwise to date a car on such details, particularly as they varied so much from country to country. It'd be great to see some photos of the underbonnet plates....

 

[Zaliago]

Alrighty-o, so, Update number 2:
I got in contact with the owner again and asked him about the leak, he said it was comming from the "Shaft seal from the side of the gearbox".
Not sure if that helps in any way, but either way, I doubt I'll be able to get much more into on it until I see the car by myself.

On that note, I talked with my father and it seems like it would be possible for us to go and see/buy the car the next weekend, likely on the 16th (if everything goes right).
If that happends, I'll do my best to answer all the questions as soon as I bring it back home!

Oh, also, the owner mentioned that the repair on the car was documented on a facebook page so maybe it'll come in handy:

Project R4

Project R4. 282 likes · 1 talking about this. Project R4 zajmuje się odnawianiem starych samochodów, główną marką którą się zajmujemy jest Renault a model to oczywiście Renault 4, zapraszamy �

www.facebook.com

You can sort-of see the oval plate there, but aside from "R1125" it seems quite illegible to me.
Also also, here is the link to the original listing:

Piękne Renault R4 (1123), druga seria, 1973r, zabytek! Gdańsk - Sprzedajemy.pl

22 900 zł: Uwaga, ciekawa oferta nabycia pięknej Renówki z 1973 roku Ogłoszenie wystawiam na prośbę mojego znajomego, jest to R4 które od 2019 przeszło gruntowny remont podwozia (naprawa ramy wraz z zabezpieczeniem dołu + wymiana

sprzedajemy.pl

There are a few photos of the insides of the car (including one of the plates under the bonnet), so I imagine it might come in handy in trying to figure out what it exactly is.

I'll keep you all updated if anything new comes up!

 

[edwin]

My 1972 model, which is white and almost completeley original, has dark grey hammock seats and beige grey dash similar layout. First owner added a top od windscreen mirror as well as the standard dash mirror.
Front chrome bumper has no starter hole but it is in the cross member behind. Soft ceiling. Dog leg gearbox. 782 cc motor

 

[Andy McGhee]

It sounds as though gearbox oil is leaking from where one of the driveshafts joins the gearbox (or perhaps from both sides) - when you go to see the car, start by smelling the oil on the end of the dipstick, and then smell the oil that's leaking.
Why not get in touch with the F/B restoration group and ask how much they'd charge to change the gearbox seal(s)? That way you'll know whether other people's quotes for the same job are reasonable - and you might be able to negotiate the purchase price. Less of a problem than a major engine oil leak, though. Well worth making friends with older backstreet mechanics....
It looks as though a lot of work's already been done to the car - I can see why you're tempted to buy it!
The number 145 might be on the oval plate - Swedish spec.
If you do need to buy parts, the part number is critical, and it's very easy to get it wrong.
Good luck!

 

[angel]

Andy, thanks for posting the UK brochure! By looking at the parts book, the RHD cars got the black dashboard one year earlier - 1973 model year. Now it's clear!

 

[Zaliago]

It sounds as though gearbox oil is leaking from where one of the driveshafts joins the gearbox (or perhaps from both sides) - when you go to see the car, start by smelling the oil on the end of the dipstick, and then smell the oil that's leaking.

Aye aye, I'll make sure to check if I'll be able too!

Why not get in touch with the F/B restoration group and ask how much they'd charge to change the gearbox seal(s)? That way you'll know whether other people's quotes for the same job are reasonable - and you might be able to negotiate the purchase price. Less of a problem than a major engine oil leak, though. Well worth making friends with older backstreet mechanics....

Thankfully, my family is pretty well connected when it comes to mechanics (Brother repairs cars as a side hussle, Grandpa used to be a mechanic and my parents have a friend who has a workshop) so I assume I'll find someone eventually.
And still, replacing the seal doesn't seem to be a super difficult job so I bet it's just a matter of finding somebody competent.
Also, I've seen an R4 parked at an apartment complex somewhat nearby a few times, so i could leave a contact card for the owner and ask them if they know any R4-savvy mechanics in the town.

It looks as though a lot of work's already been done to the car - I can see why you're tempted to buy it!

Heh, yeah, on every step of the way I've just been more and more impressed by how amazingly the whole thing is restored!
Not to mention, most R4 I've seen are listed at literally double the prize of this one (and are usually in a worse state), so I'd never want to waste such an opportunity, even if I wasn't planning for it.

The number 145 might be on the oval plate - Swedish spec.
If you do need to buy parts, the part number is critical, and it's very easy to get it wrong.
Good luck!

Alrighty-o, I'll keep an eye out then!
And thanks you, all I hope for is that the trip doesn't get delayed again as frankly, I'm quite afraid someone might arrive at this beauty before me.
The owner did mention that no serious buyers aside from me have called, but still, I hope I can get there and see the car for myself as quickly as I can hah

 

[edwin]

That car looks fantastic. Check underneath the car at the footwells, the front under engine supports, and where the rear suspension attaches,