Clio 182 track

[Tookers]

Had my 182 for 3 weeks now and decided to start a thread to track its progress.
Its a full fat so has all the bobs and whistles. Alloys are a bit mashed on the front and was considering swapping to turinis but after pulling them off the car they scrub up pretty well so might just go for a refurb.
When i got the car it had a wicked squeal on the steering, turned out to be the tensioner rubbing against the aux belt so belt change and retension and shes all good again.
The engine is shifting around alot so just waiting on some powerflex bushings for the upper engine mount and dog bone, which should hopefully reduce movement.
Exhaust is rs192 scorpion, its hanging low and the bushings are shot so waiting on powerflex bushings on rear exhaust mounts. Also, exhaust is blowing im guessing around the cat so may look at replacing as i believe its been rewelded several times.
Did some refurb on headlights and looking a bit better.
Replaced oil yesterday with 5w40 elf evo and standard renault filter, discovered fuel guard rail has 10mm nut first socket and 13mm second socket.
Also found the driver side wheel arch to bumper liner had been cut away and cable tied back exposing belts and pullies, so trying to source a replacement.
Next up i will be adding uprated discs and pads (CL RC5+ & brembo HC) and a whiteline ARB. Also going to give the calipers a lick of gold in keeping with the BG body.

 

[pastymaster]

Good stuff, I'll look forward to following your progress.

 

[Tookers]

Just ordered a replacement k&n panel air filter. Was toying with getting a carbon intake but will wait for now.
Been tempted by a new set of alloys, borbet rs in matt bronze, looked at gold turinis but dont want to be too bling
Was going to get PS3s all round but may have had a change of heart, i ran goodyear eagle f1 asym on a porsche at silverstone on a VERY hot day and they gripped extremely well so considering them again.
No progress on the car, still waiting on bushings, might give it a clean and polish tonight. New pics to follow, ive attached a pic of the borbet rs

 

[Tookers]

Not much to update, few more bits been ordered and another possible cause for concern :-|
Gave the car a hose down last night, didn't get chance to give it a proper clean, hopefully this weekend I can give it a detail.
Ran the car in the garage last night to check out a blowing exhaust, I knew the exhaust had a lot of vibration but originally thought this was post-cat however I could see vibration all the way up to the manifold.
Could this be down to the engine movement alone?

Another observation, I don't think I've ever heard or seen the radiator fan switch on, I'm going to run it tonight with AC on and see what happens. I planned to flush the coolant anyway so hopefully if there is an issue it would be a quick fix. I've ordered an OBDLink connector so I can record the sensor data as I drive her round, hoping its just a case the thermostatic switch ain't being tripped because the engine has never been over temp.

Ordered new bushings for the dog bone mount, went with the power flex again, also got a whiteline ARB and Brembo HC Max with CL RC5+ for the fronts. Leaving the rears on the standards.

That's pretty much my weekend sorted

 

[Tookers]

Just took the 182 for a spirited drive. Radiator fan comes on when the ac is switched on, but left the car idle in the garage after i got back (with ac off) and the radiator fan remained off but the engine is absolutely baking. Switch ac back on and the fan spins up again. Think i will flush coolant and check thermostatic when i do the air filter.

 

[jamesycc]

pop the bushes in the freezer when you do the exhaust mounts. They a bloody tight fit and I'm told I helps. Found this out after id fitted mine..

 

[Tookers]

@jamesycc thanks for the tip mate, they do look like a proper tight fit.
When i took it out earlier the handling was bugging me, on occassions it just felt cr*p i.e. heavy steering, slight wobble.
So i had another look under the car.
The steering rack mount bush (i think) on the passenger side is fractured (see 1st pic), couldnt see the drivers side but assuming its in a similar condition. Wish bone bushes are in the same state. Probably never been changed.
The cat has been welded, rewelded and probably needs a third weld. The car is def keeping me busy and the wife aint complaining (yet) haha. Im enjoying doing as much as i can tbh.

 

[Tookers]

Heres a list of jobs ive got left before i would take her to track...
Change air filter
Check / replace thermostat sensor
Check diagnostics
Check lower engine mount
Flush and replace coolant
Replace exhaust mount bushes
Replace upper engine mount bush
Replace dog bone bushes
Check tie rod ends, steering rack and wish bones
Check and replace cat
Replace front discs and pads
Fit rear arb
Wheel alignment / tracking
Clean up engine bay
Sort scuffs and scrapes on bodywork
Replace driver side front wheel arch to bumper liner

 

[Tookers]

Plugged the obdlink in this evening, coolant and engine temp look good. Idle is rough, 740rpm then jumps to around 850rpm. Looks like i may have a bad o2 sensor, sensor #1 is showing a reading 0.05v then jumps to 0.70v whilst sensor #2 remains a constant 0.40v.
That could explain why the clio is running lean and why im not getting any data from the sensors, only voltage.
No fault codes showing though.

 

[Tookers]

Ah another problem. After checking the MAP sensor, poked my head behind the coil pack and noticed a plastic wiring housing sitting nervously close to the exhaust manifold. If that wasnt bad enough the plastic housing has melted and split, luckily the wiring insulation doesnt look to have melted (yet). Guessing there should be some heat shield around there? And is this how it sits by design??
Theres no way im going to get the wiring out without removing the manifold so i guess ill have to wrap it with something to deflect the heat, anybody got any suggestions?
Pic attached, if you zoom in you can see the split as it goes between the manifold.

 

[Tookers]

So 100% that wiring shouldnt be there. Going to see if i can reroute without removing the manifold, failing that im going to wrap the manifold and get some heat reflective tubing to house the wiring.

 

[imprezaworks]

Those wheels look nice

 

[Tookers]

@imprezaworks and they are cheaper than turinis! Win-win

 

[imprezaworks]

What sort of monies are they

 

[Tookers]

£472 for the 16' rims & fitting kit

 

[Tookers]

Took the airbox out and managed to get a better look at my melted wire housing. I can only see a thick red wire coming out the other end and i think it then runs to the alternator. Im thinking disconnect the wire from the alternator pull it back through the manifold and run it between the air box and round under the fuel rail guard, no more melted plastic.

 

[Tookers]

Removed the throttle body and looks like coolant p***ed everywhere at some point. Just the inlet manifold to remove and shud have room to grab the cable thru manifold. Vacuum hoses are a b***h to remove.

 

[David Garthwaite]

Good thread man, lets have a few pics of the car tho

 

[Tookers]

Hey @David Garthwaite ive been posting pics as i go, but cos i upload from my mobile they appear as attachments for me. I'll try linking them from my flickr

 

[David Garthwaite]

hey man yeah you're right I see them, just saying a couple of pics of the car and no close ups of parts, just wanna see what you're doing with the full thing thats all. not a criticism just want to see more of what ur up to.

 

[Tookers]

No worries mate, thought the photos i was uploading werent showing
I get what you mean though, sometimes difficult to work out what it is when its just a picture of a pipe.
Should have some better pics tomorrow. Also got my heat wrap for the exhaust manifold, will look very tidy!

 

[David Garthwaite]

Just want car p**n man ;-)

 

[Tookers]

Got the vacuum hose for the acoustic valve off, had to place a flat head slightly under the opening then pull. Brake vacuum hose i left in, didnt have a crimp to open the clamp. So the manifold is off and resting on the bonnet. Got access to pull the wire thru the manifold now. Managed to pull the coolant temp sensor connector off, took a bit of brute force as it was snug fit.
The plastic housing completely moulded itself to the exhaust manifold, managed to break it free by pulling the plastic. One cable terminates behind the manifold on a small metal bracket... a small thinner wire then drops a bit further toward the driver side. Bang goes my theory of it being the alternator wiring. But the wire in the last 2 pics going to the starter motor perhaps?? Any ideas??

 

[Tookers]

:triumph: reading some other threads it sounds like this is the starter motor. It also sounds like there should be some heat shielding between the starter and the manifold. Obviously my 182 is missing the heat shield around the starter. FFS.
Going to have to get creative and fashion a replacement.

 

[Tookers]

Managed to clean up the starter motor wires and the sensor had a small section with no shielding but still looked ok. Wrapped it in electrical tape. Not had any problems with starter but think i dodged a bullet finding this.

 

[Tookers]

Been reading through the service history on the clio. Exhaust (scorpion cat back) has been an issue since it went on in 2011, I am in 2 minds whether to rip it out and replace the lot. Any recommendations?? Heard milltek mentioned by a few 172 owners.

Anybody looking for a mobile mechanic in the Kent area may want to reconsider. Service history on my clio suggests the mobile mechanic replaced the aux belt & tensioner in April, but didn't tension correctly and didn't replace the belt. The same guy replaced the starter motor last year, and forgot to replace the starter motor heat shield, big :up::up::up:
He also did the coolant in Feb, which p****ed all over the place.
Taking up a lot of my time just cleaning up his s***ty work.

Anyways, new inlet manifold gasket ordered & NGK plugs, coolant temp sensor & thermostat, plastic wiring loom & 10 quid replacement starter motor heat shield! Happy days.

 

[Tookers]

No real progress on the car since the weekend. Hopefully have my starter motor heat shield tomorrow so will have a crack at fixing that on.
Checked wish bones, steering rack and inner rod & track rod ends again. 99% sure new steering back bushes will fix the steering problems, couldnt find any oe bushes so had to get powerflex.
Should have my coolant, thermostat and temp sensor on wed so will crack on with that. Fingers crossed all issues ive had should be sorted by the weekend, then i can get on with the good stuff!

 

[Tookers]

New bits have arrived. Starter motor heat shield, inlet manifold gasket, thermostat housing gasket, thermostat, coolant temp sensor and ngk spark plugs. And 10l type d coolant.

 

[Tookers]

OK starter motor is wired back up. New plastic conduit and heat resistant clamps to keep them snug. Managed to angle the red cable away from the exhaust manifold and when i get the heat shield on it should be well guarded.

Got my steering rack bushes today to replace the swiss cheese ones currently on there.

 

[Tookers]

Starter motor heat shield is on, dropped it down the drivers side of the exhaust manifold between brake fluid reservoir and manevoured it over.

 

[Tookers]

Took one of the rear exhaust mounts off tonight, cut out the original rubber and fitted powerflex black. After a few hours of swearing and modifications, to the lips on the new bush, i got it in the mount using a couple of g clamps.
Couple of pics of the car, got bored waiting for wd40 to work on mount bolts.

 

[Tookers]

No greater satisfaction than getting these sods in

 

[Tookers]

Got one exhaust mount back on and the backbox sits much better, heres a before and after.

The 2nd exhaust mount (looks newer) has alot more rubber and is proving more difficult to clear. Have 2 sheared bolts on the exhaust mount bracket aswell, bolts where rusted as hell.

 

[Clio_fool]

That makes mine the worst aligned exhaust on a clio again! I'm going to have to fit my new mounts now ya bugga!

 

[Tookers]

Haha couldnt be that bad mate!

 

[Clio_fool]

It's not far off!

 

[Tookers]

After alot of buggering around, and 2 snapped drill bits i concede defeat. Bloody exhaust hanger plate that i took off, with 2 sheared bolts, aint playing. Soaked the bolts with wd40 over 2 nights, drilled half way through one bolt but easy offs aint budging it and dont want to waste anymore time on it. Anybody know if there is a renault part number for these? Tried the usual sites but aint seen any.

 

[Tookers]

Wanted to get the car started up so new bolts and gasket on the inlet manifold and throttle body, air intake and coil pack refitted. Reconnected the battery terminals, as soon as the negative went on, the car started to crank. Ignition was def not on and fuses where checked and cleaned before i started work on starter wiring.
Its likely the battery wire to the starter is touching the ignition trigger on the starter.
Going to reposition the starter battery cable later with the wheels off, as i have new discs and pads to go on anyway.
Its probably a tad too far over

 

[Tookers]

And the 182 is alive again! Spent a few hours arsing around with the starter wiring so it would clear the ignition connector / bolt and allow the heat shield to pass over too. Properly shitty design.

Changed the sparks whilst i was at it.

Fired her up and a bit of gassing and started no problem. Only ran it for a few minutes but the amount of vibration in the cabin has reduced alot! Could be the rear exhaust mounts that i swapped for powerflex black. Anyways as it started to warm up i could smell plastic burning again, checked the starter and the cabling looks good and def aint touch the exhaust manifold. Thinking it could be some remains of the old plastic on the manifold.
So good to hear it up and running again

 

[Tookers]

Did a bit of a tidy up of the interior, the door inserts where in a right state. A film of grease and god knows what was caked over the passenger side, hit it with some autoglym engine & machine cleaner and took it right off then hit it with autoglym vinyl and rubber care and it came up really good. Went over the whole dash and exterior plastics too. Just need to do the drivers side door and rear and it will be good as new. Need to give the car a wash and go over it with a machine polisher, hopefully get some time next weekend. Debating what to do with the cup alloys, as i plan to use it mostly on track im thinking i just get them refurbed as it'll be alot cheaper and keep the car looking standard.