Arctic 182 Project

[Rob_Willow]

Another silly decision whilst browsing the classified ads, ended up buying this...

2004 Arctic Blue Clio 182 with both cup packs.

3 Owners from new with a stack of history, 118k miles

Nice receipt for over a grand for recent Belts, Dephaser, Water pump and a new Alternator

MOT failure on a few suspension components, brakes, ABS light and 2 tyres. Perfect for some tinkerage in the garage at weekends


My plans include a bloody good clean and detail, suspension refresh, sort MOT issues and make it mint! The only rust issue found by a mechanic friend is around the filler cap, which will be dismantled, fixed and re assembled.
There is also a water leak into the cabin, which i hope will be blocked scuttle drains, not even seen the car yet as i am working abroad, but a friend collected on my behalf and currently stored in their unit.

Some pictures. Hoping to start work on her soon

 

[Rob_Willow]

 

[Rob_Willow]

Due to C-19 and visiting Thailand, work have forced me into a two week isolation. Perfect time to tinker with the 182!
Saturday morning I had the car dropped off, and was able to have a nosey.

The ‘slight leak inside’ was actually a swamp. It had turned the carpets white. My first job was to wash the car, and get the interior removed.

I have jet washed the interior carpet with shampoo. That can dry off.
Next job was to clear the arch linings and ensure all skuttle drains were unblocked, which they were not! Leak detection is currently where I’m at..

 

[Rob_Willow]

Some more progress since I’m home and isolating away in the garage..

managed to fix the leak🤞 scuttle panels blocked.
Jet washed the carpets and cleaned up the interior

Removed both front arches and side skirts to remove the normal soil build up and give the sills a good scrub.

With the interior cleaned and dried out I started putting everything back together.

Started to strip down the rear & cleaned up arches and exhaust.
Ordered lots of new parts yesterday which should arrive this week.

 

[Rob_Willow]

Cleaned up the rear beam, wire brushes, rust treatment and soon to paint with black Hammerite.
The rear callipers look brand new. Had a sift through paperwork they were installed 2017, along with discs, bearings and pads. The brake lines are also Goodrich

New Catalytic Converter just arrived too.

 

[mossyv6]

Great way to spend your isolation time

 

[RustyMojo]

What cat are you fitting? Need to order one myself!

 

[Rob_Willow]

What cat are you fitting? Need to order one myself!

I ordered a pattern one from cat2u.

the old one looks tired and it generates some cash towards the refurb work.

 

[Rob_Willow]

Great way to spend your isolation time

I think I would be climbing the walls if it wasn’t for the little Clio! 🤣

 

[Rob_Willow]

Rear underneath all rust treated and Hammerite painted on.
Polished up the exhaust, haven’t a clue what brand it is.

Just had a delivery from RPD, so threw the new rear shocks on.

 

[RustyMojo]

I ordered a pattern one from cat2u.

the old one looks tired and it generates some cash towards the refurb work.

amazing, did your emission lights stay off OK? Was the fitment easy enough? My 182 is currently Decat, Its too bloody noisey for me and I can’t stand the EML light being on. Plus like the idea of being on the right side of the law!

 

[Amos91]

Unless you're getting rid the car soob, changing the original cat is just going to cause headaches ongoing. The pattern ones like you ordered don't tend to last long, so you'll end up wasting time and spending more money on replacements.

If you've got an original CAT it's worth keeping it!

 

[RustyMojo]

Sorry to hijack the post, but what do people recommend. The cost of a replacement standard CAT is almost as much as the car nowadays. What are the best Aftermarket options?

 

[Amos91]

Sorry to hijack the post, but what do people recommend. The cost of a replacement standard CAT is almost as much as the car nowadays. What are the best Aftermarket options?

If you still have the original, I'd recommend a Magnaflow 59926 200 cell universal and then cutting the manifold flange off the old one.

 

[MRBILLYUK]

Looks like you've made alot of progress in a short space of time, but the exhaust doesn't look right to me , it sticks out way too far imo.

 

[Rob_Willow]

amazing, did your emission lights stay off OK? Was the fitment easy enough? My 182 is currently Decat, Its too bloody noisey for me and I can’t stand the EML light being on. Plus like the idea of being on the right side of the law!

Not fitted it yet mate, however the last one I bought for Flame Red 172 project went through MOT fine with no emission lights.

 

[Rob_Willow]

Looks like you've made alot of progress in a short space of time, but the exhaust doesn't look right to me , it sticks out way too far imo.

I’ll see if there is any adjustment when I get time.

 

[Rob_Willow]

Some more updates on the 182!
Pretty much finished the rear now, bumper is back on. Cleaned up two alloy wheels which were heavily pitted.
Brushed down the drivers sill and protected with primer. Still working on fuel filling surround. Side skirt is now back on.

Working on OSF arch. New wishbone fitted, new CV boot ordered, shock replaced. Tried to brush down and paint as many surfaces as possible without going too an*l.

 

[Rob_Willow]

 

[Amos91]

Ouch that fuel filler cap looks like it's going to be a bit of a pain!

 

[Rob_Willow]

Some more movement on the 182.

All the interior is back together, seats Bolted back in underneath. Swapped the cat over and sold it to the cat man, not happy with the olive joint so chopping it off and installing a fabricated connector that I made on the flamer project


All new shocks on, fresh wishbones and CV gaitor. Ordered some track rod ends but now need inner tie rods so they are on order. Yes bolts back in wrong way to standard, prob swap them back.

What else have I done? Had a go at restoring the headlights from there cloudy appearance. 1500, 2000, 2500, G3 and SRP by hand, I’m quite happy with the outcome.

The engine bay was looking a bit tired, so ordered a second hand original Engine cover (mine was missing) and gave the engine a dust of heat resistant anthracite paint, and a going over with degreaser.

 

[Alastair.]

Coming along nicely, I could have sworn I saw this car on the back of a flat bed in March, did it come from Wiltshire way?

 

[Rob_Willow]

Coming along nicely, I could have sworn I saw this car on the back of a flat bed in March, did it come from Wiltshire way?

I had it collected on a flatbed from Leeds in Feb, it’s been garaged since then. Probably it’s twin

 

[Rob_Willow]

Trying to diagnose the ABS/ SERV light, my friends diagnostics pulled up these 3 codes.
Anyone have idea what they refer to, or will I need Clip to pin point further?😎

 

[Rob_Willow]

Passenger sill finished off, tried to straighten the jacking point, rubbed off all rust bubbles and treated them, covered over with primer.
Gave the front end a clay bar, removed the plate as a new one is on the way.
Fixed the washer jets and leaking Reservoir too (MOT fail precious time)

 

[Rob_Willow]

Jet washed the front seatbelts

Full wash and decomtamination
Meguairs Clay Bar
AG super resin polish
Power Max Tyre Dressing

 

[Rob_Willow]

New 520x90mm plate on, I was going to use double sided pads but non were included. So screws it was.
Also fitted new inner tie rods, gaiters and track rod ends. The grill was also missing some clips so had RPD send out new ones. Also purchased engine cover stainless screws off eBay and put them on.

 

[Rob_Willow]

She’s getting there 👍

 

[Rob_Willow]

I’ve had a go at tackling the fuel filler area - be kind..
When I dismantled it, it’s clear this was the worst rusted area on the car.
There should be 2 holes holes and a rectangle, however rust had disintegrated it..
I removed the filler cap which ended up snapping..

The old rivets were removed and the area sanded down, plus the reverse of the panel.
I treated it with K Rust a few times, and cut out areas that were past it.
Applied primer and left it for weeks.

I ordefed Arctic Blue spray and laquar from paints2u, the colour patch is pretty good.

Due to metal missing I made up a steel plate and painted it. This will sit behind the flap to fill in what’s missing. Not the best job but then again it cost next to nothing.

The fuel cap was broken so I sourced a spare off a chap on here breaking an Arctic 182.

Assembled everything back together again. I used some fasteners I had left over from Renault Parts Direct instead of mushroom rivets.
Better than it was!

 

[Rob_Willow]

.

 

[Rob_Willow]

...and she is back in business!
Fresh MOT, ABS sensor replaced with a Steering angle reset!
Insured her, all taxed up, and hit the road. She’s mint, sounds wicked, strong pull at 5k.
Going to get the oil changed this week, good to be back again🤠

 

[Rob_Willow]

some of the MOT advisories mentioned shot exhaust mounts. Thought I would give them a once over.
The exhaust was also sat wonky.

Now what else can I fix!

This rust bubble was annoying me, so having a go myself to sort it. If it look Shite when I had finished the body shop will be getting a call.

 

[Rob_Willow]

TBC

 

[MattRS182]

Fantastic thread, Im just about to make a decision of buying an Arctic Blue FF with same mileage haha, Love an Arctic Blue, Out of interest how much did you give for it?

 

[Cookson]

I've just seen this in the sale section. Looks like you've put a hell of a lot of work into it.

 

[Rob_Willow]

I've just seen this in the sale section. Looks like you've put a hell of a lot of work into it.

Thanks matey. Yes kept be busy during lock down. It’s gone to another forum member. I’m back working abroad again next week, providing I can get out the UK/ into EU with no issues!

 

[gambit]

Amazing transformation! Just read your build. You must be so happy with it being mint fresh with new parts. How does it drives with all the new parts installed?

 

[Rob_Willow]

Amazing transformation! Just read your build. You must be so happy with it being mint fresh with new parts. How does it drives with all the new parts installed?

It drove really well, but sold it last week ☺️

 

[justinbowness15]

Why did you sell, It looks beautiful !