182 Odd tickover and lack of power when reving in neutral-feels like massive air leak!

[Ianboom]

Right, my 140K 182 isn't running correctly.

Story so far, It ran fine, did 40mpg on the run to work every day, but has had a misfire for the last 6 months, under load between 1250 and 2000rpm that was intermittent but was getting worse.

It was overdue a cambelt so I thought I'd have a go myself (before anyone groans, the car is worth around £800 and the wife's 42k mile RS200 was done at Diamond motors).
The timing before was really close (genuine Renault tools) so I fitted a new belt and pulleys, checked the timing and it was exactly the same. As the car ran fine and I wouldn't have to mess about with the pulleys, I left it at that and reassembled the car with new NGK plugs (to try and cure the misfire).

I started it and the car felt gutless when I revved it as if there was a massive air leak, so I checked to see if everything was connected up-I couldn't find anything wrong, so, measured the resistance of the plug leads which appeared ok. I fitted a coil that came with the car (not sure if it's any good), but the car ran the same.

When warmed up on tickover, it was hunting slightly and seemed as if it was dropping in revs until the knock sensor picked it up then advanced the timing so it picked up.

I removed the MAF?MAP? near the cambelt and the engine cut out, removed the air intake sensor at it made no difference.

I took the cover of the cambelt and checked the timing with the crank pin and the marks I'd made on the cam pulley/rocker cover and the all lined up so the timing hasn't slipped.

I'm away all day tomorrow, so can't mess with it.

Any sensible suggestions?

 

[VR46-G@Z]

Obviously the only other logical checks would be the injectors and wiring... I've had a dodgy injector fail over time on my 182 and also a friend had a problem with the injector wiring on his 172... Could be either or and maybe coil pack if you haven't replaced with a brand new item...

 

[VR46-G@Z]

The main replies will definitely be get her plugged in to the diagnostics and see what comes up...

 

[Brigsy]

Check the timing again. If you have genuine Renault tools, undo the pulleys and set it knacker on.

 

[VR46-G@Z]

Also did you replace the gasket or check that the seal is good on your inlet plemum?

 

[Ianboom]

Thanks for the replies.

I haven't got access to clip so need to try and fix this somehow without.

I don't want to mess with the timing as it ran fine before, and it's set the same, but I'm not ruling this out. I phoned my local Renault yesterday to buy a new exhaust pulley nut and they said the have never stocked one?

I pulled the injector plugs one at a time and got a misfire, but not ruling out an issue. Sealed the inlet with silicone.

It's something I've disturbed doing the cambelt.

Sunday I intend to disconnect the map sensor and start the car. Clean the tdc sensor. Not sure what else to try. Hopefully I can get it on its wheels and drive it.

Could order new coil and leads.

 

[Coops Mk1]

Timing. If you've tried to tippex it and not use correct tools it'll be that

 

[Ianboom]

i used genuine tools.
The paint marks were for a reference when setting the timing up as per the workshop manual suggests.

 

[Brigsy]

What do you class as timing really close? Tool needs to slide in and out of the slots when crank is pinned, or it will definitely cause issues.

Its not recommended, but should get away with re using the original bolt/nut on the inlet/exhaust pulleys. Dephaser will need to come off and degrease the inside/end of the cam.

 

[Brigsy]

I had similar intermittent misfire issues too, if its running on all 4 cylinders it will prob be an injector on its way out, check no injector wiring or plugs have been disturbed maybe

 

[Ianboom]

Horseshoe on cams wouldn't quite go in.
I left it like this as it was like it when I stripped it down. It ran fine so I left it the same.
Will order new seals and look at loosening the pulleys and setting it up by the book, but think there's another issue as it ran fine with the timing slightly out.

 

[Ianboom]

Would the timing being slightly out affect starting?
The car has always started first turn of the key and still does with the running issue.

 

[Brigsy]

If the horseshoe wont slot in, it might be far enough out to cause issues. If you have not disturbed the inlet manifold assume its timing related

 

[Ianboom]

Well, think I have it sorted, looks like it was the timing.

It was slightly out, interesting as it was done by a specialist-can't remember who, but not Diamond, Fred or Dan.

Timing was out to start with, but I reckon in relation to the crank position, it worked ok, I must have moved it in relation to the crank position and stuffed it up.

I timed it up today (spent 8 hours in all) and got the timing perfect-I have a video to put up showing it.



Big problem now, the crank pulley wouldn't torque up. I torque and angled it Friday, but when I loosened it today, it wasn't very tight. Tried to torque it today and it wouldn't go over 100nm (tried to get it to Fred's figure of 130ish). I started the car and noticed the aux pulley was wobbling. I reckon I've crushed it hence the wobble and torque issues. Bloody annoying, £140 for a new one.

 

[bloke]

doesn't make sense bolt won't torque up? no logical reason why it wouldn't torque up.

and if you're running it not fully tight you might as well start a thread now about bending valves ?

 

[Ianboom]

Been thinking about this, I reckon the pulley has always had a wobble, and the bolt was stretching.
It was torquing up to 100nm as I backed the torque wrench off several times to see if it would click.
There's a guy at work who will be able to help with an answer.
I've a spare bolt that is way off the 49.1mm limit, but I'll order a new one.
I'll use the torque and angle method next time.
Won't be driving the car until it's correct, I took it around the block earlier for a quick test.

 

[Ianboom]

Fitted a new genuine aux pulley and even that has a little wobble.
I marked the pulley before I torque and angle tightened it, this is well worth doing as my mate slipped whilst holding the flywheel.
Car is back together now and pulls like a train.