Clio 182 Turbo

[Yarp]

Slow progress as life has got in the way the last few weeks.

I had a bit of a panic tonight that I hadn’t put any assembly lube or oil in the head when I refitted it. I might have been being a bit dramatic but don’t really care.

Popped the rocker back off and then dumped a s**t load of oil in. As per the manual, I also submerged the hydraulic stops in diesel to re-prime them. Although it’s probably a bit of a waste of time given how long it’ll be sat but it beats them being bone dry like they were.

I did spot that I’d put the cams in the same way, so both valve sets would be open and closed at the same time. That would have given some lols come timing it up so not a totally wasted exercise.

Rocker cover back on, torqued nicely and sealed again. Somehow I lost the gasket for the oil breather plate. The one that came with the gasket set is a rectangle shape one which makes sense given that this engine is from a 172 cup and not a 182. Manual says to just seal it with that stupid blue or red s**t so will just do that instead.

I need to just pull my finger out my arse and crack on. I had planned some stuff at the weekend but the eagle eyed viewers may spot a BMW engine cover in the background. The 5 series has decided to hoy a wobbler and cracked the solid coolant pipe that goes to the block. £8 part but needs the inlet manifold removed to access one of the bolts. s**t design and that’s my Saturday accounted for. I can’t have the “reliable” car also needing work so it’s going to have to go in the new year. The lack of a 535d or 540d in the G series makes me sad though. I can’t be dealing with the 540i’s fuel bills and another 30d just seems a sideways step.

 

[Speedo Gonzales]

Is it this one thats gone Steve?

BMW 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Series X1 X3 X4 X5 X6 N47 N57 Coolant Flange Upgrade - GKR Performance

BMW aluminium coolant flange upgrade with seal – replaces fragile factory plastic, prevents cracks, leaks, and overheating for long-lasting reliability.

www.gkrperformance.co.uk

 

[Yarp]

Is it this one thats gone Steve?

BMW 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Series X1 X3 X4 X5 X6 N47 N57 Coolant Flange Upgrade - GKR Performance

BMW aluminium coolant flange upgrade with seal – replaces fragile factory plastic, prevents cracks, leaks, and overheating for long-lasting reliability.

www.gkrperformance.co.uk

That’s the exact one. Snidey little b*****d should have arrived today. Still waiting…..

 

[Yarp]

No sign of coolant pipe still but had some free time so got cracking with removing the old one.

s**t job with so much shite in the way and everywhere. The plan was just to loosen the manifold and move it up enough to get the bolts out. First part of inlet popped off

That’s nasty. I’ve got no idea how it still runs 🤣

Actual manifold is the same

So yeah, gonna have to deal with that. I’ll have to take it off properly and swirl flaps can go at the same time. My go to for any cleaning is always petrol which whilst a bit flammable is always really good. The front half is sat in a pot of fuel so will see how that looks tomorrow.

The pipe came off and it has split front to back along the entire length. It looks like a joint in the pic but it’s not. No wonder it was pissing out.

That was job done for today on that. It has made up my mind that it’s going in the new year though. I might have to try a m340d and see how that feels compared to the 5. No doubt a lot faster but can’t deal with losing too much of the comfort! Definitely going to try for an estate again too provided o can find one.

Still had some time left so attention back to the Clio. I had lost the thermostat housing so had a good hunt and found it under the car. It hasn’t been cleaned but wasn’t too bad

I also need to sort out this absolute abomination. There are loads of silicone hose sets online so I’ll replace with some of those. No idea what brand is what these days so I’ll just pic a middle price one and see.

Quick lick of silver on the thermostat and it’s on. Aside from a new alternator that’s the engine built and ready to be timed up. After than it’s timing cover on, sump on, clutch on (need to order), box on and back in. Seems a shame to fit it because it looks awesome!

 

[Brigsy]

I might be wrong as hard to tell in pic, is the exhaust cam 180 deg out? Looks like the d is at the top and inlet cam at the bottom?

 

[Speedo Gonzales]

Engine is looking good all freshened up

I really need to pull my finger out and sort mine. Wouldn't bother with the 340d, next door to us at work had one and chopped it in instantly against an 840d said it was so small and just overall naff compared to his 530d. Then he went and chopped the 8 series in against a 540e estate for a tax write off🤣

 

[Yarp]

I might be wrong as hard to tell in pic, is the exhaust cam 180 deg out? Looks like the d is at the top and inlet cam at the bottom?

Good shout. I can’t tell either and it’s too cold to go back out. Will have a look tomorrow 👍.

I did have them both the same way ( all valves open at once) and swapped it round yesterday so I think it’ll either be right or both 180 out. Pistons are all sat mid stroke in the bores so can spin them without drama if needs be

Engine is looking good all freshened up

I really need to pull my finger out and sort mine. Wouldn't bother with the 340d, next door to us at work had one and chopped it in instantly against an 840d said it was so small and just overall naff compared to his 530d. Then he went and chopped the 8 series in against a 540e estate for a tax write off🤣

Yeah, that’s the worry. I like the size of the 5 and the f10 is a much nicer place to be than the f 3 series.

840d is out, we’d look like a right pair of bellends with matching 8’s 🤣

The 40e isn’t a bad shout though, back in auto-trader I go!

 

[Yarp]

Did some 5 series’ing today.

Started by finishing the removal of the inlet manifold. Such a f**k on with all the wires running across it.

As with the previous pics of the first bit, this was also massively coked up with more of that beautiful thick oily/tarry mix. Excuse the really odd contrast settings, it’s the only way I can get the inside to show properly

Carb cleaner didn’t touch it so I scraped most the chunks off with a screwdriver and jet washed the rest out. It came up pretty well

Then when putting it back together I spotted I’d pulled the wire out of one of the plugs that goes to the alternator which was highly sub optimal. I thought I might have still had the engine loom from the 5 series I broke but it’s only the interior one I’ve got.

That left one option of repining it with some new wire. Plug stripped down to components

Then back together with a new length of wire

I then soldered that onto the remaining length of pulled out wire and sealed it with a bit of heat shrink.

No more pics but that was it back together. Honestly, what a difference after cleaning all that up. The idle is much smoother, it’s much much quieter and as far as a mapped 530d goes, it was absolutely flying on the test drive. Throttle response is better too. It’s a completely different car. I’d highly recommend any of the 30d people on here to do the same. It’s a s**t of a job but well worth doing!

As for next cars, it’s still going to go. @Speedo Gonzales ’s shout was a belter. A G30? 545e. 49g/km means I can buy one as a company car so a nice little tax fiddle. I can business lease the G60 550e for a similar price and cheaper BiK with lower emissions but it’s just so f**king ugly. They look like a posh Skoda and there’s no way I’m getting something with a 90k list price to look like I’m driving an Octavia 🤣. I’ve found a local ish 45e so will go and have a look and see what it’s like.

 

[charltjr]

Have to admit, the 545e has flown completely under my radar. I thought it was a two litre four pot like the 330e just with the wick turned up. Nice to see it's got the six pot.

 

[Yarp]

Have to admit, the 545e has flown completely under my radar. I thought it was a two litre four pot like the 330e just with the wick turned up. Nice to see it's got the six pot.

Exactly the same here. I thought they a 2.0 too and instantly ignored them cos I hate that engine. It’s got the B58 with makes it a much more attractive proposition. Can have a nice 450bhp petrol engine with a map and then some electric shite keeping the emissions down to keep HMRC happy 👍

 

[Speedo Gonzales]

Since my last post next door to us has chopped his car in again for an i5 40e estate 🤣

In the last 4 years of him being our neighbour at work I must have seen him have 20 cars and at least 3 bikes. All BMWs🤣