Clio DCI cambelt change problems

[jakeycrx]

Hi All

I just changed the cambelt on my 2001 Clio DCI.

I was following an autodata procedure which had no mention of the adjustable cam pulley so I did not slacken the bolts on the cam pulley whilst fitting the new belt. I used the 2 locking pins and rotated the engine by hand after fitting the new belt then re-inserted the timing pins to check the timing and both pins went back in.

The car started fine but sounded like a bag of spanners. I turned the engine off and re-inserted the timing pins again and again they went in fine as they should.

I haven't driven the car because it sounds so loud. I found another procedure on here which tells you to slacken the camshaft pulley but I didn't do that. By not slackening the pulley would this cause the timing to be out? It's just strange because both timing pins go in as they should Its really confusing me!

 

[Jekyll]

AlexW

 

[Snake182]

Crank pin definatly in the timing hole not the drilled balance hole in the crankshaft counter weight/web, as they are next to each other iirc

 

[jakeycrx]

Well I lined up the cam and inserted the cam pin then the crank pin screws straight in. If I remove the cam pin the crank definitely feels locked as it will only rock very slightly. Is it normal for timing marks on the belt to wonder off from the timing marks on the cam and fuel pump pulley after rotating the engine?

 

[Dan@SJM]

The dci's are nightmares for the crank moving off the pin when undoing the crank pulley. Did you use a new crank bolt? Replace the water pump?

 

[jakeycrx]

I used a new bolt and fitted a new water pump. The crank and crank sprocket definitely look keyed on my car but I read a lot of info saying they're not. The job has turned into a nightmare!

 

[jakeycrx]

I did also turn the engine by hand without the auxiliary pulley over the crankshaft sprocket because I was convinced it was keyed! Is it possible to damage the valvetrain doing this?

 

[Snake182]

I used a new bolt and fitted a new water pump. The crank and crank sprocket definitely look keyed on my car but I read a lot of info saying they're not. The job has turned into a nightmare!

If the timing pins were in then you shouldn't need to worry too much about the timing I wouldn't have thought, as long as its in the correct crank hole, did you mark up the Injection pump?? and its not uncommon to need to rotate the engine maybe 6-8 times to get the fuel pump marks back in line again at the same time as the cam and crank (its due the injection pump pulley size compared to camshaft pulley/crank pulley)

 

[Snake182]

I did also turn the engine by hand without the auxiliary pulley over the crankshaft sprocket because I was convinced it was keyed! Is it possible to damage the valvetrain doing this?

yes but only if it is NOT keyed, as the crank will spin independently of the camshaft due to slight slackness in the belt putting the timing out slightly. unless your crank pulley was seized on like mine, then it may not have moved.

 

[Dan@SJM]

The DCI doesn't have a locking pin hole. It's a 'press against' locking pin.

When you rotated it all, did it go tight? It's unlikely you can damage it unless it locked up and you proceeded to turn it anyway.

 

[Snake182]

The DCI doesn't have a locking pin hole. It's a 'press against' locking pin.

When you rotated it all, did it go tight? It's unlikely you can damage it unless it locked up and you proceeded to turn it anyway.

Ahh I didn't realise

 

[jakeycrx]

I can definitely see keyways and a woodruff key on mine but I read so many threads saying they're not keyed! It didn't go tight when I rotated it by hand so hopefully it didn't damage anything I think I'm going to start again but slacken the cam pulley this time

 

[Alastair.]

Adjustable camshaft pulley wasn't introduced until 2005. Your car will need crank pin mot 1489 and the camshaft pin. The crank pin does not lock the engine up, just bumps up. The crank sprocket is also free floating, so once you have removed the bottom pulley you may need to push the flywheel back up.

 

[jakeycrx]

That must be why the documentation I have doesn't mention the adjustable cam pulley. Its definitely the adjustable type though. It has 3 bolts on it. They have tippex marks on them as well for some reason. I even removed the cam pulley to check the key and it was fine and located in the keyway on the cam

 

[Dr HMS Derv Destroyer]

bit hard to get the wrong slot on the crank? im sure the times ive done it, the lock pin will only go in one

lock crank at TDC,
cam lock at TDC
pump alligned to the top bolt on fuel pump ( pump sprocket has a arrow on it)

first time i had a go, i had taken an injector out of cylinder one ( gearbox side )
placed a log rod down the port and rotated engine til that cylinder is at TDC

what year dci do you have?
2001 dci 65 shouldnt have bolts on cam pully



think you might have the timing slightly out

 

[jakeycrx]

Its a 2001 but I reckon someone has changed the pulley as it the adjustable type plus the nut that holds the pulley on is quite rounded!

 

[Dr HMS Derv Destroyer]

your going to have to take the rocker cover off and set it with a gauage.
@Dan@SMJ

 

[Alastair.]

Its a 2001 but I reckon someone has changed the pulley as it the adjustable type plus the nut that holds the pulley on is quite rounded!

Yea a 2001 should not have the adjustable pulley fitted. Maybe its had a replacement engine at some point from a later model?

 

[jakeycrx]

your going to have to take the rocker cover off and set it with a gauage.
@Dan@SMJ

I was thinking could that adjustable pulley put the cam timing out but then if the pulley is locked with the pin into the head it must be in the right position?

 

[Dr HMS Derv Destroyer]

i'd be asking what else has been bodged if that's like that lol

 

[Dr HMS Derv Destroyer]

I was thinking could that adjustable pulley put the cam timing out but then if the pulley is locked with the pin into the head it must be in the right position?

lock it all up again, detension belt, slack three bolts off, retension and then do them back up.
turn over by had a few full rotations to make sure your not hitting piston on valves. re lock again to check.

might be worth getting the timing specs for the later 1.5's with adjustable pulleys

 

[jakeycrx]

i'd be asking what else has been bodged if that's like that lol

This is what's worrying me! I'd love to know how they timed it up last time. Theres tippex all over the adjustable cam pulley!

 

[jakeycrx]

lock it all up again, detension belt, slack three bolts off, retension and then do them back up.
turn over by had a few full rotations to make sure your not hitting piston on valves. re lock again to check.

might be worth getting the timing specs for the later 1.5's with adjustable pulleys

Yeah I think that's all I can do. Hopefully that'll sort it out. Its really p*ssing me off now!

 

[jakeycrx]

All sorted. I followed the procedure for the Clio 3 and no more nasty rattling! The crank sprocket is keyed and has a timing mark on it so it must have had a replacement engine at some point. It definitely feels quicker than my other 65!

 

[Dr HMS Derv Destroyer]

Still have a Delphi common rail pump on the engine?
Would be good to know if someone fitted a mk3 engine with the Siemens/Bosch pump to a mk2?

glad you got it sorted

 

[jakeycrx]

Well strangely its got a Delphi pump stamped 2001 so I don't know what the hell has happened with this engine!

Thanks for your help everybody