Clio 182 Track Car & Daily Projects

[dave120]

How good will this look when it’s done ! 👍🏻👍🏻

Not tempted to put the AC back in ?

 

[Mr Underhill]

How good will this look when it’s done ! 👍🏻👍🏻

Not tempted to put the AC back in ?

Thanks 😊

If I could get the parts brand new, I’d do it in a heartbeat.

 

[Jekyll]

This is coming on fantastic Jon. Looks great and loving what your doing.

 

[Mr Underhill]

This is coming on fantastic Jon. Looks great and loving what your doing.

Thanks Mark.

 

[Mr Underhill]

The weather was determined to stop me finishing the car today with hail and rain pretty much the theme of the day.

I plowed on regardless and got the new radiator and hoses in. You can see the old rad has seen better days.

Picked up a Nissen radiator off EBay via Denmark. Took 6 days but for £60 it was worth the wait.

Got the inlets on, bled the radiator, then stuck some new genuine gearbox & engine oil in. Battery on and 4 turns later it fired up.

No more photos as it literally was dark by the time I finished but it drives superb. I never knew a clutch could be so light on one of these.

I’ll be driving it to work all week so fingers crossed nothing falls off, but so far so good.

 

[Andy P]

@Jon Wright Looks spot on, Only thing letting it down is the coolant bottle. Sorry to say!!

 

[Mr Underhill]

@Jon Wright Looks spot on, Only thing letting it down is the coolant bottle. Sorry to say!!

Yeah I agree. I tried to get a new one but you can’t get them anymore.

 

[Andy P]

Yeah I agree. I tried to get a new one but you can’t get them anymore.

That's annoying. So many parts now NLA. I was lucky I bought a lot of new parts over the 8 years I have had mine that are now NLA.

I bought a genuine one which the part number was 7701470460, pricey but I like genuine where possible.

 

[Andy P]

@Jon Wright RPD are still listing it on their site

Renault Clio Expansion Bottle MK2 - Renault Parts Direct

Renault Clio Expansion Bottle MK2 - Renault Parts Direct - Renault Parts Direct is a web based service from our authorised Renault dealer.

renaultpartsdirect.co.uk

 

[Louis]

Or buy an ecp special and swap the cap over.

 

[Rojer]

Or you could use an ultrasonic cleaner or the retro bright method.

 

[Mr Underhill]

@Jon Wright RPD are still listing it on their site

Renault Clio Expansion Bottle MK2 - Renault Parts Direct

Renault Clio Expansion Bottle MK2 - Renault Parts Direct - Renault Parts Direct is a web based service from our authorised Renault dealer.

renaultpartsdirect.co.uk

Good find, the part number on mine is 7700836136 so the number must have been superseded. I’m on it 👍

 

[Mr Underhill]

A lap from Croft last week. Had some really good laps as there wasn't much out on circuit so could get a nice rythmn going. According to my Go Pro this was my PB which is good as everytime i go there i seem to improve slightly - just a confidence thing being old and all that - unless it's raining of course

I might invest in some proper data logging equipment for 2022 to take the guesswork out of it.

 

[Brigsy]

Decent lap, its class when its quiet as can get loads of hot laps in. One of my mates was there and said there was hardly anybody booked on, i was going to come over but fully booked at work.

 

[Mr Underhill]

Decent lap, its class when its quiet as can get loads of hot laps in. One of my mates was there and said there was hardly anybody booked on, i was going to come over but fully booked at work.

Yeah I couldn’t believe it Jon when I saw how empty the garages and car park were. I think in the afternoon there was 6 cars on circuit at any given time. One of the best days I’ve had there. What was your mate in?

 

[Brigsy]

He was in the silver megane 225 on turinis, usually goes out for endurance sessions on track.

Im a bit gutted that i didn't make a trackday there this year, but should be fully prepared for next spring fingers crossed.

 

[Mr Underhill]

He was in the silver megane 225 on turinis, usually goes out for endurance sessions on track.

Im a bit gutted that i didn't make a trackday there this year, but should be fully prepared for next spring fingers crossed.

Ah he was in the garage next door to me. I was chatting to him later in the day after following him and an ST Fiesta around for a few laps. He can certainly pedal a car that's for sure.

 

[Brigsy]

He doesnt hang about. Had great fun over the years chasing him on trackdays in our 225.

 

[Mr Underhill]

2 weeks and 400 miles later after fixing the oil leaks/cleaning the engine, it was time to check if my work was up to standard.

Super happy to see no leaks and the last major milestone complete for this project.

So that’s pretty much it for this car, just general maintenance to do. Only took me 4 years to finish it 😂 but I’ve learned a lot about these cars and enjoyed it at the same time.

Thank you to everybody that’s helped me sort out parts, given sound advice and commented in general.

Now it’s time to focus my attention on my latest project, my 182 RB, and get that up to a high standard.

Thanks for reading 😊

 

[Andy P]

@Jon Wright Nice to see a non leaking gearbox Has the rubber boot moved?.

Coolant Bottle looks good.

 

[Mr Underhill]

@Jon Wright Nice to see a non leaking gearbox Has the rubber boot moved?.

Coolant Bottle looks good.

Yeah it’s split. I’ve packed it with grease so it’ll be right. Yeah coolant bottle makes all the difference

 

[Andy P]

Yeah it’s split. I’ve packed it with grease so it’ll be right. Yeah coolant bottle makes all the difference

Another part that is difficult to get and is very expensive now after a quick google, Part Number is 8200136186. I bought a new one for £16.56 and then proceeded to fit the old one🤦‍♂️. So have decided to keep it as spares. If you are wondering how I know all these part numbers, every part I have bought new I have added the part number to an excel spreadsheet. 247 genuine new parts replaced in my car and about 100 non genuine where I couldn’t get genuine parts.

 

[Mr Underhill]

247 genuine new parts replaced in my car and about 100 non genuine where I couldn’t get genuine parts.

😳 Crikey that’s commitment. Got any pics or a thread on it?

 

[Andy P]

😳 Crikey that’s commitment. Got any pics or a thread on it?

I have always intended to do a thread but have never got round to it. Owned since October 2013 .

 

[Andy P]

Looking forward to seeing how the RB comes out.

Wiish mine was half as good as yours. Top job.👍

 

[Brigsy]

Job well done, nice and dry. Drive and enjoy now.

 

[Colin-S]

Brilliant pics and write up! You're very talented, incredible work!

 

[Mr Underhill]

Track car off the trailer ready to be collected tonight. Took one last shot of my Clio’s all together.
She was a lot of fun and somebody’s getting a cracking piece of track machinery. If I ever build another one it’ll be exactly the same as this.

 

[Mr Underhill]

No mechanical updates other than to say the guy who bought my Racecar has broken it already 😂 and my BG daily is still going strong after 5 years of all season ownership.

She's been a cow at times, especially in the early days when i didn't have a clue on how to sort her out, but she's been brilliant ever since i whipped the engine out and fixed the oil leaks.

Can't believe i've had her nearly 5 years and belts will be due in January too

Sadly she'll be going the journey this year as i get Little Bluey on the road and then lay even more money out on my next daily

Best small hot hatchback's ever made!

 

[Mr Underhill]

Amazingly, the old cow passed her test yesterday so I guess I'm keeping her on the road this winter and not flogging her. The only advisory was a tiny bit of corrosion on the NSF brake line, so that's a pretty easy job to sort. Makes a change from oil leaks, but getting the engine and box out last year and going to town on it, has hopefully made that a thing of the past. 🤞

Big thanks to @Brigsy for coming to the rescue with a canister purge solenoid when mine threw an EML warning light last Friday night. I also noticed a small blow from the manifold to cat as well, so sorted that. Funnily enough, it's cured the annoying cold map issue which was getting progressively worse. The car has never driven better than it is right now.

Next jobs on the list after the house is finished:

Replace brake line
Put air-conditioning back on
Big service

Belts are due in January so wrestling with the idea of doing them myself or giving Mick at Diamond a call.

I wish there was someone more local to me that I could trust to do the job for me.

 

[SharpyClio]

Amazingly, the old cow passed her test yesterday so I guess I'm keeping her on the road this winter and not flogging her. The only advisory was a tiny bit of corrosion on the NSF brake line, so that's a pretty easy job to sort. Makes a change from oil leaks, but getting the engine and box out last year and going to town on it, has hopefully made that a thing of the past. 🤞

View attachment 1614316

Big thanks to @Brigsy for coming to the rescue with a canister purge solenoid when mine threw an EML warning light last Friday night. I also noticed a small blow from the manifold to cat as well, so sorted that. Funnily enough, it's cured the annoying cold map issue which was getting progressively worse. The car has never driven better than it is right now.

Next jobs on the list after the house is finished:

Replace brake line
Put air-conditioning back on
Big service

Belts are due in January so wrestling with the idea of doing them myself or giving Mick at Diamond a call.

I wish there was someone more local to me that I could trust to do the job for me.

The garage I use did mine and noted the previous "specialist" hadnt got the timing right, which they fixed. They have all the tools and used and really take care of loved cars. I go nowhere else with any of my cars, they also offer fee courtesy cars which is nice. Its a small local garage, there was a group of them that started at Drakes which is a Renault dealer and they now own 3 successful garages in the area.

 

[Mr Underhill]

The garage I use did mine and noted the previous "specialist" hadnt got the timing right, which they fixed. They have all the tools and used and really take care of loved cars. I go nowhere else with any of my cars, they also offer fee courtesy cars which is nice. Its a small local garage, there was a group of them that started at Drakes which is a Renault dealer and they now own 3 successful garages in the area.

Interesting. Who are they and where are they based?

 

[SharpyClio]

Interesting. Who are they and where are they based?

Rossmoor Garage in Melbourne

Home | Rossmoor Garage

www.rossmoorgarage.co.uk

The bodyshop next door is by coincidence where my bumper and wing are as well although its very much a separate company.

 

[02teasda]

Amazingly, the old cow passed her test yesterday so I guess I'm keeping her on the road this winter and not flogging her. The only advisory was a tiny bit of corrosion on the NSF brake line, so that's a pretty easy job to sort. Makes a change from oil leaks, but getting the engine and box out last year and going to town on it, has hopefully made that a thing of the past. [emoji1696]

View attachment 1614316

Big thanks to @Brigsy for coming to the rescue with a canister purge solenoid when mine threw an EML warning light last Friday night. I also noticed a small blow from the manifold to cat as well, so sorted that. Funnily enough, it's cured the annoying cold map issue which was getting progressively worse. The car has never driven better than it is right now.

Next jobs on the list after the house is finished:

Replace brake line
Put air-conditioning back on
Big service

Belts are due in January so wrestling with the idea of doing them myself or giving Mick at Diamond a call.

I wish there was someone more local to me that I could trust to do the job for me.

Looking great Jon, glad to hear it passed no bother but no surprise given the standard of your work. Hope mine goes the same way once I get it all back together [emoji1694]

 

[Krarl]

Andy Hutchinson is up your neck of the woods Jon

 

[Mr Underhill]

Andy Hutchinson is up your neck of the woods Jon

Aye just up the road in Barney. They did my race car engine and did a cracking job, but I’m looking to have the car back after a few days, not a few months.

I was talking to a techie at our place yesterday and he mentioned Andy Harland (Renault Specialist) in Darlington. Andy worked for us many years ago and was a brilliant mechanic. Apparently set his business up years ago and is around the corner 🙈 I need to get out more. 😂 Quoted me £600 for the lot, so it’s going in there.

 

[-KarL-]

Aye just up the road in Barney. They did my race car engine and did a cracking job, but I’m looking to have the car back after a few days, not a few months.

I was talking to a techie at our place yesterday and he mentioned Andy Harland (Renault Specialist) in Darlington. Andy worked for us many years ago and was a brilliant mechanic. Apparently set his business up years ago and is around the corner 🙈 I need to get out more. 😂 Quoted me £600 for the lot, so it’s going in there.

I've used Andy Harland a few times on my Clio and Megane seems to know his stuff.

 

[Mr Underhill]

I've used Andy Harland a few times on my Clio and Megane seems to know his stuff.

That's good to know fella. He was a Hyundai techie many years ago and very good at what he did. Thank you for the feedback, it's going in at the end of this month.

 

[Mr Underhill]

So I finally plucked up the courage to let her go. She's sold, pending collection to another CS member.

The plan was to get the belts done, a service and refit the air-con, but my company offered me a stupidly good deal on another car, which will tide me over the winter. It's been a hard decision, but I have to be sensible.

I don't have to sell her of course, but I know she'll just get left in storage which isn't ideal. Plus I can't focus all my attention on the RB project, which I really need to finish.

I've really enjoyed breathing life into this car and I know she'll be going to a good home. Or immediately sold on eBay for more money or broken for spare parts

Thank you to everybody who's helped me along the way. Time to move on.

 

[JamesBryan]

Properly clean example, Jon.