Heres why you should have your cambelt done PROPERLY!

[Jay Payne]

As some of you will know, at the recenet CS rolling road day my ph1 172 turned out a measly 142.9 bhp at the fly!

I always thought that it didnt feel as fast as i thought it should from the day i test drove it. As its stripped i imagined it would be much more lively than it is. I was proved right at the rolling road.


So to cut a long story short after some research into the cars history and trawling through the forums i put it down to the cambelt being done by a small local garage by a previous owner. Posibly without the use of the locking tools.



Ripped it apart today to find this......

The dreaded tip-ex! Now thats not a crime as the Renault manual says that its advisable to mark the pulleys to help identify when the engine has done one revolution after timing,(when checking the tension etc) However! The tip ex on the pulley is about 45 degrees away from the top when the engine(crank) is timed using the pin at tdc!



You cant really see too clearly from the pics but the inlet cam is definatley out.

Havent got the cam locking tool or took the covers off yet but at first glance id say id found my missing horses........


Call off the search!

 

[Gaz_]

Mint. Its always satisfying to know you've nailed a problem!!! Now get it sorted

 

[Fletcher]

Good stuff.

 

[DrR]

Mines getting Rolling Roaded soon, hope mines a ok.

 

[Jay Payne]

I cant see why not. SBV knows his stuff

 

[pinky]

Result! Lol..least you know your not going mad.

 

[DrR]

I cant see why not. SBV knows his stuff

Yeah but he only worked on the engine.

 

[Jay Payne]

isnt that the bit that the bit that makes the power tho?

 

[DrR]

has to go through gearbox, clutch, driveshafts hubs and wheels to!

 

[Saner]

Burp, have a word with Charlie and he might let you run it again just for a power read out for a discount if you let him know the situation and if he's about.

That way you can get a before and after on teh same rolling road which is as good as a control as your going to get.

 

[Jay Payne]

has to go through gearbox, clutch, driveshafts hubs and wheels to!

its all fairly new tho isnt it?

Burp, have a word with Charlie and he might let you run it again just for a power read out for a discount if you let him know the situation and if he's about.

That way you can get a before and after on teh same rolling road which is as good as a control as your going to get.

Good idea, i'll probably wait till next time u organise one there. If we do ever sort one out local to me then at least id be able to compare it to Justin's etc

A the end of the day if it FEELS better when im done, i'll be happy

 

[Saner]

January next year is the next one I will be organising!

But as you say, if it feels better / right thats what counts.

 

[Jay Payne]

Hopefully i'll make to that one

 

[DrR]

Yeah it is, but right front feels like I have a puncture all the time . grr

What should it be at the wheels?

 

[fil_b]

what maods you had done

i got 138.9 at the wheels when i had mine done couple weeks ago

 

[Matteh]

i was expecting to see a picture of my engine in this thread

 

[MarkCup]

Oh f***.

Are you at the next Airfield?

 

[Jay Payne]

you bet your ass i am

 

[Jay Payne]

what maods you had done

i got 138.9 at the wheels when i had mine done couple weeks ago

it was totaly standard right down to the paper air filter when run. 117 atw!

 

[SkidMarx]

The garage probably did use the timing tools... but on the crank webb there are holes drilled for balancing, its very easy to lock the bottom end in these holes instead of the TDC hole! something to be carefull of

 

[Saner]

what maods you had done

i got 138.9 at the wheels when i had mine done couple weeks ago

That sounds about right for at the wheels, think Burp ment at the Fly in his first post.

 

[Jay Payne]

what maods you had done

i got 138.9 at the wheels when i had mine done couple weeks ago

That sounds about right for at the wheels, think Burp ment at the Fly in his first post.

sorry sorry sorry yes i did mean at the fly

The garage probably did use the timing tools... but on the crank webb there are holes drilled for balancing, its very easy to lock the bottom end in these holes instead of the TDC hole! something to be carefull of

exhaust cam is correct tho

 

[Matteh]

how can u tell if you've correctly locked the crank at TDC?

 

[fil_b]

that is shocking

was it bought from a garage!! can it go back??

 

[Jay Payne]

the crank keyway slot lines up matt

From angelworks:
The timing belt procedure on this engine is a bit fussy, nothing overly complex so long as you follow the procedures. I still reference the manual every time just to make sure nothing is forgotten. To lock the engine at TDC I simply use an 8mm punch through the TDC locking hole which pins the crank at exactly tdc thanks to an 8mm slot machined into the counterweight. You can double check TDC as the keyway on the crank nose will align itself between the front two cast ribs on the front plate.

 

[Matteh]

'between the front two'

seems a bit vague to me? :S

or is no other alternative close?

 

[RSTuning]

The 172 i bought idles like crap and also only makes 144 fly! It has a superchip too lol.

 

[Jay Payne]

'between the front two'

seems a bit vague to me? :S

or is no other alternative close?

take a plug out and rest a long screw driver in there maybe. watch it go up and down till u find the top. But u will know if its in the ballance hole, it feels diferent

 

[Marky_]

Good news

 

[Steviant]

You should throw some new cams in there while you are messing about.

 

[RichRSi]

Mine felt quicker after the cambelt change, and that was the second cambelt it's ever had, the last one being at the factory.

 

[BenR]

'between the front two'

seems a bit vague to me? :S

or is no other alternative close?

Its only a ref to check tat you are indeed locking it at the tdc position.

The only way is to use the locking tool, an 8mm puch or 8mm drill bit but use the shank not the tip.

If it is in car then i will use the slot ont he flywheel to line up with the gearbox TDC marker.

 

[SBV116]

Mines getting Rolling Roaded soon, hope mines a ok.

I can't see why not, yours seems to drive really well!!

 

[ben_p]

gotta love shitty cambelt jobs LOL

hope you get it sorted mate!