First Car Project - Clio 172 PH1

[TheBandit]

https://cliosport.net/threads/renaultsport-specialist-near-manchester.827684/

Not the hardest thing in the world but I wouldn't do it as my first, definitely need all the right tools and double-triple checking with the workshop manual as the timing is very sensitive.

I paid a specialist to do mine, to me the cost of the labour is worth the engine not going blowy-uppy.

 

[TheBandit]

*There is also about an inch of room to do it, your knuckles will be bleeding, and you will be swearing. Unless you pull the engine out the top, then it's 'easy'.

 

[TheBandit]

Really should have put this all in one post... but this is a good vid of what you would be in for: .

Bare in mind if you have PAS and aircon there is even more stuff in the way

 

[Jakeeaton127]

https://cliosport.net/threads/renaultsport-specialist-near-manchester.827684/

Not the hardest thing in the world but I wouldn't do it as my first, definitely need all the right tools and double-triple checking with the workshop manual as the timing is very sensitive.

I paid a specialist to do mine, to me the cost of the labour is worth the engine not going blowy-uppy.

I’ve got help from my mate and his brother but they have never done one of these before, Renaults are not their cup of tea.
I have asked Gary on the forum you showed so I’m waiting for his response same truth Commerad motorsport up in Liverpool. I’m not sure they will fit my parts that I’ve bought but worth a try

*There is also about an inch of room to do it, your knuckles will be bleeding, and you will be swearing. Unless you pull the engine out the top, then it's 'easy'.

I do know that these are a bit naff to do, I had a little noisy down that side of the engine yesterday and there is literally no room.

Really should have put this all in one post... but this is a good vid of what you would be in for: .

Bare in mind if you have PAS and aircon there is even more stuff in the way

i have seen this video before, im guessing mine had PAS and aircon as it is a ph1.

I’m in two mind sets, I want to send it off so I don’t cause the engine to go kaboom and I know it’ll be done properly. However, I know I’d probs have a laugh with my mate doing it and it would be nice to know how to do it for in another 5 years. I’ll wait to see what responses I get first.

 

[TheBandit]

Could be a laugh! If you have the time I don't see why not you sound like you have your head screwed on. The manuals are available on the forum if you need them or I can dm them to you. The stone automotive vid is good but the manual has all the torque specs etc readily available, and you don't have to rewind a pdf.

 

[Jakeeaton127]

Could be a laugh! If you have the time I don't see why not you sound like you have your head screwed on. The manuals are available on the forum if you need them or I can dm them to you. The stone automotive vid is good but the manual has all the torque specs etc readily available, and you don't have to rewind a pdf.

I can’t see why I couldn’t do it, I do all the guides (well i think I do).

They don’t do a Haynes manual for the RS do they, only the lesser trims.

 

[Steve1986]

I do know that these are a bit naff to do, I had a little noisy down that side of the engine yesterday and there is literally no room.

I bought a new AC compressor and aux belt kit for my 182 while I was in the process of getting my AC working. Took one look down the side of the bay, laughed, and booked it in at a local garage

Cambelt won't be physically harder, but as others have mentioned it requires specific timing tools to line everything up correctly, and frankly I wouldn't even take it to a normal garage for that. When my belts were done I went to a local specialist and even he sighed when I mentioned it was for a timing belt change.

 

[James]

I watched that that stone automotive video and I felt fairly confident I could do it myself. You've got to have all the right locking tools though, and not the cheap s**t ones.

You just need to tripple tripple tripple check everything before turning it over

Could get a cheap 2nd hand engine that you can have on a stand and look it over and get a feel for it and practice on?

 

[TheBandit]

I can’t see why I couldn’t do it, I do all the guides (well i think I do).

They don’t do a Haynes manual for the RS do they, only the lesser trims.

Yeah there are no RS Haynes unfortunately, but the Renault workshop manuals are good if you have them.

I bought a new AC compressor and aux belt kit for my 182 while I was in the process of getting my AC working. Took one look down the side of the bay, laughed, and booked it in at a local garage

Cambelt won't be physically harder, but as others have mentioned it requires specific timing tools to line everything up correctly, and frankly I wouldn't even take it to a normal garage for that. When my belts were done I went to a local specialist and even he sighed when I mentioned it was for a timing belt change.

And you never know what you may find, it may open a can of worms.

If you think it's a one day job it's probably two. Find a cracked bracket and suddenly it's seven.

And I don't say that to scare you, it might all be fine, from experience on these cars it rarely goes to plan!

 

[James]

Yeah there are no RS Haynes unfortunately, but the Renault workshop manuals are good if you have them.



And you never know what you may find, it may open a can of worms.

If you think it's a one day job it's probably two. Find a cracked bracket and suddenly it's seven.

And I don't say that to scare you, it might all be fine, from experience on these cars it rarely goes to plan!

On any cars

 

[Jakeeaton127]

Ive decided that im going to send it to Cormorant Motorsport up in Liverpool. He’s happy to use my parts and the coolant that’s in the boot. I’d rather do that and save the Absolute faff that is doing it myself. As you say, all it takes is a bracket to snap and then I’m buggered.

It’s a job I’ll probably end up doing myself when it next needs doing in 5 years time so Im not missing out on much.

In the meantime, I’m going to crack on doing some of the jobs needed for an MOT so it can get its belts and drive home.

 

[TheBandit]

You would have learned so much in five years it will be so much easier by then (although most owners leave it 8+ years for timing belt... Aux belt/tensioner needs doing every 3/4).

And not that you are thinking of selling (nobody ever is, until they do) but knowing the belts have been done at a reputable garage will hold the value well.

 

[Jakeeaton127]

I’ve changed my decision, I’m going to do the belts on my own with some help from better more experienced mechanics. If I’m not happy I don’t have to start the car,

You would have learned so much in five years it will be so much easier by then (although most owners leave it 8+ years for timing belt... Aux belt/tensioner needs doing every 3/4).

And not that you are thinking of selling (nobody ever is, until they do) but knowing the belts have been done at a reputable garage will hold the value well.

As you say it’s better for the history knowing that It has been done at a proper garage but I doubt I’ll be selling it anytime soon.

 

[TheBandit]

Let us know how you get on, I have been tempted to do it - be good to have an honest take on a driveway belt change.