172 Cambelt replacment, parts and head overhaul

[tsoob]

Hi Guys,

I've bought a Clio Sport 172 with the intention of getting it back on the road and giving it to my grandmother. She is currently driving a '93 205 GTi 1.9 and wants something a bit newer... The Clio is immaculate, except the auxilary belt has snapped, and in turn taken out the cambelt, so I picked it up for a song.

Is there any form of Clio specific walkthroughs avaliable for me to have a gander at? I've done the same repair on many cars, most recent being my daily driver (A Volvo 242GT) but these newer cars always have procedures that are unique to the car, and the whole non-keyed camshaft thing has me wondering.

Thanks

 

[turbo tom]

there is a guide, but you have to be a member to view it, also the correct tools are 100% required and are not cheap,

good luck with it

 

[MicKPM]

I like your Nan already! Pics?

Its a keyless/floating sprocket setup similar to the Ford Zetecs so you must use all the correct locking tools of which there are three items. Get it wrong and worst case you'll rebend all the valves you've just replaced or the engine will run but it'll be under powered, drink fuel and generally be shite!

Mick

 

[tsoob]

Cool, paid my dues now I can see the tutorial section, cheers for that.

What places do you guys use for parts? I'm in Australia, about the only option I have is genuine, is there an FCP Groton for Renaults?

Also, with the cambelt kits... Is there a "loaner" kit available? (Pay a deposit + "hire" the tools...)

Cheers

 

[davo172]

PICS (of grans Gti) ! ??

 

[pendulumx]

Also, with the cambelt kits... Is there a "loaner" kit available? (Pay a deposit + "hire" the tools...)

I suggested that a while ago but it wasn't a go'er, basically for the reasons that lent tools may not be returned or may be damaged plus liability issues. The traders weren't too keen on a turn towards everyone doing their cambelts themselves either, understandably, as it would mean less work for them

 

[tsoob]

I thought this was a Renault forum!

Haha. I'll try and get pics of it next time I see it.

It's Diablo Red, and is immaculate. Has less than 50,000km's on it.

If it's any consolation, here is a picture of my old (much worse) 1.9 GTi next to my Mi16...

 

[tsoob]

I suggested that a while ago but it wasn't a go'er, basically for the reasons that lent tools may not be returned or may be damaged plus liability issues. The traders weren't too keen on a turn towards everyone doing their cambelts themselves either, understandably, as it would mean less work for them

That's a shame, it sounds like it is $300+ worth of tools with one purpose.

 

[warwickstingray]

There seems to be plenty of people wanting to have a go so you would probably be able to move them on afterwards getting you a few quid back. It is however a job that needs to be done properly first time so even if you get the tools you need to follow the procedure with care and make sure you get it right. I've done a fair few cambelt changes and decided after reading through the manual that my time is worth more to me these days than the money i would have saved going the DIY route.

 

[MicKPM]

I'm a business that specialises in looking after Renaults properly for those that just want their car to be right and not just Clio's and I've currently got an Espace IV 3.0 on the ramp for a timing belt. I'll help anyone that genuinely needs it and asks but I won't work for free. Ive got no problems with people DIY'n their own timing belts... More power to yer brethrin. You pay for the knowledge and ability of a specialist to do the job right first time not "have a go". If you want to save some cash by doing it yourself then great but don't come crying IF you get it wrong or claiming "Renault are s**t".Mick

 

[tsoob]

I can see your concern, I hope this helps:

Renault has a long history with my family, so there is no chance of that happening! My grandfather was a motor mechanic and rallied R8's and R10's among other things... and he owned a dealership in the 70's and 80's that dealt exclusively with Renault and Peugeot.

My Grandmother still owns one of the cars that they sold new, a 1977 R17 TS... Unfortunately it hasn't been driven since 1992. It was rear ended, insurance fixed it up well but she was too scared to drive it from then on just in case something happened to it, hence the 205.

With the cambelt replacement, I am on my own - apart from the internet. Unfortunately there are no workshops "in the know" that I can take the car to.

Thanks

 

[mr.pink87]

Doing the cambelt isn't that bad if you have the correct tools and go strictly by the manual. Official Renault workshop manual can be found on here. I would lend you my tools but postage to Australia and back might be a tad expensive.

If the cambelt snapped it is advised to renew all valves. Parts are available from dealership or any motor factors.

 

[MicKPM]

Fly me over and you can have mine for two weeks

Mick

 

[tsoob]

Flights are $1800 return, ha.

I've looked throught the tutorials section, the write-up on cambelt replacement looks good, however I can' find anything on head removal or valve replacement. Head removal I don't think i'll need help with, i've almost got it off, very straight forward, one of the easiest cars to remove both manifolds on that i've ever dealt with, but is there anything to note with the valve replacement? I've managed to track down an entire new motor for it at $999, but the replacement motor was out of a car that's launched off a kerb, so the sump is badly damaged, so I don't think I want to take the gamble with that. The seller won't split the head unfortunantly.

Thanks

 

[Iceberg_172]

Hi mate,

Aswell as getting an engine from another car, you are best off doing the belts on that engine too so may aswell just fix yours.

Your right the head is easilly removed. The cambelt change is a (must follow the correct procedure) job. if not, you will run into trouble. But if you keep your wits about you and triple check everything then you will be fine.

I got my head fitted with 16 new valves not long ago. If you can, give the head to an engine workshop. They will check the valve guides as well because they may need replaced if the valves were bent and they will also be able to lap the new valves and fit new oil seals so its just a case of you getting the head back and putting on the car.

I done this as i wasnt going to go and buy a spring compressor and grinding stick etc. Much easier to let them do it. Money well spent

 

[tsoob]

Novice question, but better to be safe than sorry

Will a 182 head suit a 172?

 

[mr.pink87]

Theoretically yes, but you will need the mating 182 rocker cover and upper inlet aswell. The carbon cannister take off is different on 182s.

 

[mgoode180566]

I want that 17TS......

 

[tsoob]

What does the upper inlet look like? (As in... which part is it?) Are they physically different?
I need to know exacly which parts I need, it's a 4 hour drive into the city to go and see this 182 being parted out, so I would like to know exactly which bits I need so I don't need to do more than 1 trip, haha.