Dacia Sandero '17 Model Gasoline Engine: Ventilation Flap Issue Discussion and Repair Tips

Hey, dealt with a similar hassle on my '15 Dacia Logan. I'm no car guru but I've had some experience tinkering under the hood. Turned out my issue was a dodgy Cable and servomotor, not the rear vent flap. My local workshop sorted it out smoothly. Set me back 170€, but hey, no more blower trouble! Big relief, I tell ya. Could you share more about your Sandero's symptoms? It would help us nail down the culprit. Let's hustle this up, shall we?

Hey, thanks for sharing your experience! Interestingly, my Sandero makes a weird scraping noise, especially when I crank up the temperature. Plus, there's this odd smell sometimes, not sure if it's related. It's got around 89215 KM on the clock and the last service was done a few months ago. But these issues have popped up recently. Could be a cable and servomotor issue like you said, huh? Let's see if anyone else can chip in with their two cents. Cheers!

Hey, good to hear back! That scraping noise could be gears grinding against each other, especially if it's related to the temperature. It’s like the system is trying to open/close some vents and something’s actually stuck or grinding. That would fit the bill for a flap or servomotor issue. Didn't notice an odd smell before from my Dacia, though. It could be something different on yours, perhaps a worn-out filter? With your milage, some parts might just be starting to pack up. Grabbing a pro's opinion wouldn’t hurt! Let's hope it's simple like my case and not a big pocket-buster. Got me fingers crossed for ya! Keep us posted, yeah?

Totally get your point, something must be grinding or stuck indeed. The odor might be a sneaky filter, you're right about that one! I'll definitely get a professional's eye on it, don't want to let the problem fester. Appreciate the insights you've shared, helped me get a clearer picture. Now let's hope it doesn't burn a hole in my pocket! Promise to keep you guys in the loop, cheers!

dear I have a Dacia Sandero 2023 in which I also suspect that the ventilation valve is disturbed.... I think the inside air circulation stays on because odors linger and the windows without air conditioning do not evaporate and that was not before maybe a similar problem to above.... any others have this and has it been fixed?

(Translated from Dutch)

It sounds like you might be dealing with a faulty recirculation flap or its actuator. This flap controls whether the air in the car is recirculated or fresh air is drawn from outside. If it's stuck in the recirculation position, it could cause the symptoms you're describing. I'd recommend starting with a simple check: when you switch between recirculation and fresh air, listen for a change in the sound of the blower. If there's no change, it's likely the flap isn't moving. If you're comfortable doing so, you could also try to manually move the flap and see if it's stuck. However, this can be a bit tricky as the flap is usually located behind the glove box or under the dashboard. If you're not comfortable doing these checks yourself, or if they don't resolve the issue, I'd recommend taking your car to a mechanic. This could be a safety issue as a stuck recirculation flap can cause your windows to fog up, reducing visibility. Please let us know how you get on with these checks, or if you have any further questions.