Clio crankcase ventilation issue

I had something similar happen with my Clio, though it was a while back. Reduced engine power and smoke point towards potential crankcase issues alright. Have you checked for any unusual hissing sounds, especially around the engine when it's idling? Also, has your fuel consumption gone up significantly? I found that my PCV valve was leaking, messing with the emissions and causing rough idle.

Thanks for the quick reply! I haven't noticed any hissing sounds specifically, but the fuel consumption has gone up noticeably. How difficult was it to diagnose the PCV valve leak, and did you end up fixing it yourself?

Diagnosing it wasn't exactly straightforward, to be honest. I spent ages checking hoses and connections. I think you should take your Clio to a workshop. My mechanic mentioned that the 2001 and 2002 Clios were notorious for crankcase ventilation issues. It's probably worth getting it checked professionally before it causes any serious damage. My bill was around 350€ if I remember correctly.

Okay, that's really helpful to know! Sounds like a trip to the mechanic is definitely in order. Thanks for sharing your experience; I appreciate the insight. I just came back from the shop and it was the crankcase ventilation valve after all. The bill was 360€. Thanks again!