28000 172 cup - nearly ready for cam belts

[Absentmat_original]

Hi folks of Cliosport,

after some saving and some free time coming up I’ve decided to dust off the Cup and get it back on the road.

I’ve ordered myself some 4-pot brakes from KTR (2 weeks till they get here) Ive removed the old rear brakes and I bought new Pagid calipers and discs - that was after 4 hours of drilling to get the security bolts off (rusted to buggery) wheels are flaking pretty bad aswell.

I’ve realised it’s better to clean and paint any rust that’s starting, but as soon as they front discs and calipers arrive I’ll be able to move it - hopefully to garage to do the cam belts (planning to get all new hoses and alternator)

but I’ve got a question, ‘ the car has been stood still since 2011’ is the clutch fu*ked - how can I tell, I don’t want to start it I till the belts are done and I can’t test the clutch till it runs, not sure how to figure that one.

 

[Absentmat_original]

Well Renault Stockport want £899.00 for cam belts and a water pump. When I asked Manchester Trinity about checking the clutch during the quoted £499.00 change he said ‘the engine doesn’t come out so we’ll check it after’. ?! Hmmm

 

[Krarl]

Stick the car in reverse and try to push it forwards with a couple of people. If it just stays in place after rolling 1ft then your clutch will be fine

If it just keeps going forward and rotates the engine then it will be shagged

 

[Poopensharten]

You’d be able to get the clutch and belts done for under £1000 at a specialist, it’d be an idea to check with them?

How come its been stood since 2011?

 

[Absentmat_original]

You’d be able to get the clutch and belts done for under £1000 at a specialist, it’d be an idea to check with them?

How come its been stood since 2011?

I bought it new in 2003 (traded 1.3 Clio for £4000) and loved it as a daily runner.

I bought a house on unadopted road with limited parking but 3 years later I got a company car - nowhere to keep the Clio so it went to my mum and dads.

I got a company car but not enough pay to do up the Clio and do track days (I’ve done two to be honest think it was elvington airport nr York)

got another job with a car but travelled abroad a lot so no time to play with it.

Bought another house with my girlfriend - again no parking.

4 years ago I moved jobs - I lost the company car but loved the bigger car so I leased (always wanting to do the Clio but not on the cheap)

it’s taken a while but with lockdown, no holidays to go on - I’ve money in the bank and time on my hands

It’s time i got serious and fixed it up exactly as I wanted it.

 

[Poopensharten]

Nice one mate! Its good that you’re saving it!

 

[Absentmat_original]

Stick the car in reverse and try to push it forwards with a couple of people. If it just stays in place after rolling 1ft then your clutch will be fine

If it just keeps going forward and rotates the engine then it will be shagged

Plugs in or out?

 

[RustyMojo]

Mate this car has all the hallmarks of being a great restoration if you do it properly! Make sure you keep it updated in a project thread or something!

 

[Ex-User (99307)]

Well Renault Stockport want £899.00 for cam belts and a water pump. When I asked Manchester Trinity about checking the clutch during the quoted £499.00 change he said ‘the engine doesn’t come out so we’ll check it after’. ?! Hmmm

Go to Birchdown or Four ashes.

 

[Absentmat_original]

Years ago (03/04) i was a member on this site an there was someone based in Warrington - can’t find him now (I found all my old messages - 26 year old me sounds like a dick)

 

[Deano17]

hi,

I have loads of bits & bobs in the garage if you ever need anything.
Bonnet, Doors, mirrors, inlet manifold, bullets, gear knob insert, unused ARB poly bushes, Spare wheel toolkit, parcel shelf, rear carpet, blue dash trim, original air box etc.
All for sale on the cheap - I just need the space in the garage.
send me a DM if you need anything.

Good luck with the build.

 

[Clio_fool]

Well Renault Stockport want £899.00 for cam belts and a water pump. When I asked Manchester Trinity about checking the clutch during the quoted £499.00 change he said ‘the engine doesn’t come out so we’ll check it after’. ?! Hmmm

£200 extra for a water pump? Are they planning on doing the belts first and then doing the pump as a separate job? 😂 f**king taking the piss. Find a specialist locally or put it on a transporter and send it to one. Unless you like being dry bummed?

 

[Absentmat_original]

hi,

I have loads of bits & bobs in the garage if you ever need anything.
Bonnet, Doors, mirrors, inlet manifold, bullets, gear knob insert, unused ARB poly bushes, Spare wheel toolkit, parcel shelf, rear carpet, blue dash trim, original air box etc.
All for sale on the cheap - I just need the space in the garage.
send me a DM if you need anything.

Good luck with the build.

Thanks mate, I’ll give you a shout

 

[Absentmat_original]

I’m struggling to find a list of recall notices for the Clio, I remember something about the bonnet catch & maybe the suspension mounts or bolts?

I registered with Renault but that gives you nothing useful except my paint warranty ran out in 2006 - corrosion ran out in 2015 pretty surprised with that.

would any one know where I might find it - reluctant to phone Renault as I’ve decided their a bunch of morons.

cheers

 

[MRBILLYUK]

I’m struggling to find a list of recall notices for the Clio, I remember something about the bonnet catch & maybe the suspension mounts or bolts?

I registered with Renault but that gives you nothing useful except my paint warranty ran out in 2006 - corrosion ran out in 2015 pretty surprised with that.

would any one know where I might find it - reluctant to phone Renault as I’ve decided their a bunch of morons.

cheers

The only recall I heard about for the mk2 Clio was as you said, the bonnet catch.
This is the letter I received.

 

[Poopensharten]

I’m struggling to find a list of recall notices for the Clio, I remember something about the bonnet catch & maybe the suspension mounts or bolts?

I registered with Renault but that gives you nothing useful except my paint warranty ran out in 2006 - corrosion ran out in 2015 pretty surprised with that.

would any one know where I might find it - reluctant to phone Renault as I’ve decided their a bunch of morons.

cheers

You’re surprised that Renault have a warranty or that it ran out?!🤣

 

[Absentmat_original]

You’re surprised that Renault have a warranty or that it ran

Just surprised it lasted so long

 

[Absentmat_original]

The only recall I heard about for the mk2 Clio was as you said, the bonnet catch.
This is the letter I received.

So it was just a check (I can do) looks like no new parts or mods... good to know, cheers

 

[MRBILLYUK]

So it was just a check (I can do) looks like no new parts or mods... good to know, cheers

It was down to lack of lubrication. Sometimes the catch didn't hold the bonnet down properly and could potentially fly open.
I first got a recall letter in 2008 if I remember correctly, which I ignored. I couldn't be bothered going to some incompetent Renault dealership and sit there for hours.
When I got the 2nd recall letter in 2013 I bit the bullet and took it to the dealership.
They replaced the whole bonnet catch free of charge. Their usual price to change it was £90.
You can buy them new if you have any concerns. They're not very expensive.

 

[Absentmat_original]

Thanks I’ll check it out, hoping to get more work done over the weekend, I’ll know more of what needs doing

 

[Absentmat_original]

It was down to lack of lubrication. Sometimes the catch didn't hold the bonnet down properly and could potentially fly open.
I first got a recall letter in 2008 if I remember correctly, which I ignored. I couldn't be bothered going to some incompetent Renault dealership and sit there for hours.
When I got the 2nd recall letter in 2013 I bit the bullet and took it to the dealership.
They replaced the whole bonnet catch free of charge. Their usual price to change it was £90.
You can buy them new if you have any concerns. They're not very expensive.

Thanks I’ll check it out, hoping to get more work done over the weekend, I’ll know more of what needs doing

 

[Absentmat_original]

Brakes done ✅

 

[Absentmat_original]

Right.. time to arrange the cam belts, I’m gonna get it transported to a garage, diamond motors or birchdown is the choice really.

Birchdown is an hour closer so I’d prefer them has anyone used them recently ?

I’ll be after a full belt change and I’ll need the water pump doing but I’d like all the hoses doing aswell and the alternator looks like s**t so I’d prefer a new one.

what else should i get done while the engine is out?

I was looking at sorting the exhaust it’s looking rotten in places, looking for a stealth/hidden system but I’ll keep the cat (already decided to put the standard air box on but with a k&n/type - I’m not looking for loud) does anyone have a system to recommend maybe different to k-tek or is that the best around.

mph and can someone tell me if I get the Haynes manual from Amazon for the ph2 2.0 is it close enough to be useful?

 

[Absentmat_original]

Well I’ve reached out to 💎. And see when I can get in, should I drain oil from the engine (would that help?) or leave it as it is? I’m still keen to do a bit of work before the engine is running

 

[MRBILLYUK]

Well I’ve reached out to 💎. And see when I can get in, should I drain oil from the engine (would that help?) or leave it as it is? I’m still keen to do a bit of work before the engine is running

Might as well let Mick at diamond motors do the lot including engine oil and filter change as he's already doing the big jobs.

 

[gez 172]

Definitely just hand it to the garage - nothing worse than going back over half done jobs.

 

[Absentmat_original]

 

[robzracing]

Right.. time to arrange the cam belts, I’m gonna get it transported to a garage, diamond motors or birchdown is the choice really.

Birchdown is an hour closer so I’d prefer them has anyone used them recently ?

I’ll be after a full belt change and I’ll need the water pump doing but I’d like all the hoses doing aswell and the alternator looks like s**t so I’d prefer a new one.

what else should i get done while the engine is out?

I was looking at sorting the exhaust it’s looking rotten in places, looking for a stealth/hidden system but I’ll keep the cat (already decided to put the standard air box on but with a k&n/type - I’m not looking for loud) does anyone have a system to recommend maybe different to k-tek or is that the best around.

mph and can someone tell me if I get the Haynes manual from Amazon for the ph2 2.0 is it close enough to be useful?

FYI a cambelt change isn't normally an engine out job but if you are taking it out I'd suggest doing the engine and gearbox mounts. Sat for so long they'll probably shake themselves to bits as soon as you start using it anyway.

 

[Absentmat_original]

FYI a cambelt change isn't normally an engine out job but if you are taking it out I'd suggest doing the engine and gearbox mounts. Sat for so long they'll probably shake themselves to bits as soon as you start using it anyway.

I thought that it needed to come out 😕 I was hoping it did - gave me a chance to do (pay someone else) a few of the other bits like you mentioned... probably water pump and alternator - no chance I could do this.

but I also want all cooling hoses - engine mounts - exhaust middle section (decide to keep rear Lazer box) - exhaust mounts/clamps (I think it’s ready to snap) - the piston tops are covered in black (carbon?) so I’ll ask if they can clean them - new spark plugs - an I’ve just seen powder coated engine mount covers (they sound essential right?)

I’ll be phoning 💎motors tomorrow, see if I can get stuff arranged

oh, I found two mouse skeletons in the wheel well and I think something is still living in the exhaust

 

[Absentmat_original]

Well I popped a new battery in the car with the idea of checking the windows and door locks and thought I’d quickly give the starter a pop didn’t think it would run tho, ready to go to 💎motors on Monday

 

[Absentmat_original]

Ok couple of issues, everything was fine...

then the car locked itself with both keys in the car, ignition was on I got out closed the door walked around to the bonnet and click. I panicked for twenty minutes checking all the doors and choosing which window to break.

And the car randomly unlocked.

I ran to the car just as it locked again.
Five min later it opened again and I’ve got the keys.

It’s started locking and unlocking every couple of minutes - I’ve replaced both key batteries (one was completely flat) both now working ok - the central lock button on the dash wasn’t lighting up or working - but after a twiddle and furious pressing it now lights up but still random locking.

And now realised the boot lock has stopped working - so I won’t get locked out at least

 

[MRBILLYUK]

I'm really not keen on how that back box looks. It's hanging way too low imo.

 

[Absentmat_original]

I'm really not keen on how that back box looks. It's hanging way too low imo.

Yeah it was a bit low - but since the photo it’s had a new hanger moving it up 30mm and as long as it doesn’t move too much I can raise it higher if I need to

 

[Absentmat_original]

Well it’s in the hands of diamond motors now - back in a few days

 

[Cookson]

Subscribing to this thread, loves a good cup

 

[Absentmat_original]

 

[Absentmat_original]

Shiny ✨ new rubbers as well

 

[Absentmat_original]

 

[Darren S]

Looking great so far!

How did it go at Diamond Motors?

 

[Absentmat_original]

He did a brilliant job, highly recommend - just little bits to do now but hopefully mot next week - the rear upper brake light doesn’t work and the mysterious auto lock/unlock feature is back, should pass tho?