First Car Project - Clio 172 PH1

Jakeeaton127 · Sunday at 1:43 PM

Well that went well, not.

The timing tool I bought doesn’t fit the engine. The cam locking tool doesn’t fit the cams. So I’m going order a Renault one of them as with that and the rest of the US Pro kit it’s ok. I can’t imagine the crank pin and locking bar to be different as it’s apparently for a F4R engine. Too add to that, no one had a 14mm Alan key for the dephaser.

However, it’s all striped now so it’s just a few bits I need to fix the car. The crank pulley rubber is all cracked and horrible so that needs a change and it seems like the water pump is just a generic knockoff one so I’m glad that’s being changed.

Apart from that, I haven’t found it that bad stripping the belt down at all. It doesn’t seem as hard as everyone says, saying that, I haven’t exactly done the hard bit of timing the engine.

McGherkin · Sunday at 1:48 PM

That’s because @James put a 1.2 8v in there the little scamp.

Pretty sure I’ve read that non genuine tools can bend?

Jakeeaton127 · Sunday at 1:49 PM

McGherkin said:
That’s because @James put a 1.2 8v in there the little scamp.

Pretty sure I’ve read that non genuine tools can bend?

Yeah I have read that, can I buy the Cam locker from Renault separately.

Brigsy · Sunday at 1:52 PM

You would definitely be better off with oem renault tooling. The setting bar fits better than aftermarket.

Follow workshop manual to refit, and you cant really go wrong if its all torqued correctly. Only seems to go wrong with people cutting corners, gunning up the crank or cam fasteners etc.

Rojer · Sunday at 2:01 PM

This is one of those times when trying to cut costs is a false economy. On a job as important as the cambelt, pay extra and get the right tools.

Jakeeaton127 · Sunday at 2:02 PM

Rojer said:
This is one of those times when trying to cut costs is a false economy. On a job as important as the cambelt, pay extra and get the right tools.

im thinking im just going to order the proper Renault one. ill end up using it again anyways. Saves the faff.

Jakeeaton127 · Sunday at 9:17 PM

Could that immobiliser light that’s constantly on be caused by some dodgy connections within the door wiring where it goes into the lock?

The alarm still works as I found out today at half 8 this morning when it woke everyone in the street up.

I remember the plug was a bit crusty inside but must still have some connection as the internal central locking works.

Jakeeaton127 · 2026-07-24T14:36:30+0100

First mod for the Clio is the original Cassette player, mainly so I can use the 6 disc changer. I can’t decide whether to keep this or put the very 2000s Sony back in, prefer how the Sony looks but I like the changer.

Can’t seem to get it to line up properly, it’s like it’s too big but it just needs a bit more movement I think. There’s also a lot of sticky stuff now over the centre silver trim from what’s left of the material that covers the wires. It’s a pain to get off

Also, the key is now fixed, guy thought it wouldn’t work as the LED wasn’t illuminating but it works the central locking. Seems to be missing the LED on the PCB.

Struggler · 2026-07-24T16:04:18+0100

Jakeeaton127 said:
im thinking im just going to order the proper Renault one. ill end up using it again anyways. Saves the faff.

you can normally borrow them from someone in the community. That what I did last weekend.

Jakeeaton127 · 2026-07-24T16:37:06+0100

Struggler said:
you can normally borrow them from someone in the community. That what I did last weekend.

That’s what I have done, got one line up for tomorrow.

Struggler · 2026-07-24T16:53:33+0100

Good luck!!

I managed to get mine lined up first time at the weekend, felt very smug.

Engine was on a stand though, and had no VVT to contend with either!

Jakeeaton127 · 2026-07-24T17:04:48+0100

Struggler said:
Good luck!!

I managed to get mine lined up first time at the weekend, felt very smug.

Engine was on a stand though, and had no VVT to contend with either!

It doesn’t seem to hard to be honest but judging how people describe them I need all the luck I can get.

Struggler · 2026-07-24T17:14:54+0100

maybe save that review until Monday

.

I partially agree though, just because things are frequently done badly doesn't necessarily mean its hard, perhaps just means too many people try and wing it (unsuccessfully).

TheBandit · 2026-07-24T17:29:14+0100

TheBandit said:
it may open a can of worms. If you think it's a one day job it's probably two. Find a cracked bracket and suddenly it's seven.
And I don't say that to scare you, it might all be fine, from experience on these cars it rarely goes to plan!

Currently day five of the estimated seven, good to see some things are going to plan though. The fob was an relatively easy fix!

TheBandit said:
Welcome to Clio ownership, I would suggest buying a multimeter ASAP - you will more than likely get your moneys worth...

Could have tested it using diode mode

Jakeeaton127 · 2026-07-24T17:37:31+0100

TheBandit said:
Currently day five of the estimated seven, good to see some things are going to plan though. The fob was an relatively easy fix!

Could have tested it using diode mode

I’m mainly days 5 due to a huge lack of tools I didn’t even have the 14mm Alan key for the dephaser and the crank pulley was absolutely ruined so I’ve had to fork out for one of them too.

The fob I’m so happy about, I really couldn’t be bothered doing anything else with it like changing the locks etc and now the passengers door locks, I can sort out the manual lock another day or forget about it.

James · 2026-07-24T17:58:17+0100

Glad the key is sorted mate. So what was it in the end?

Jakeeaton127 · 2026-07-24T18:23:08+0100

James said:
Glad the key is sorted mate. So what was it in the end?

Not a clue, I’m guessing the button was broken I haven’t spoke to the guy about it yet, he’s on holiday for the next 2 weeks. As I’ve said, the LED seems to have always been missing so lead him to believe it didn’t work.

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