How much difference does it really make?

[Jimbob 2705]

I'm starting at looking getting a Clio 182 a lot more seriously and obviously making sure the belts and pulley is done is a main factor

Now how much difference does it make regarding getting the belts done by a Specialist rather than a normal garage?

Just so I can work out if I'm going to have to factor more money into getting the belts done at a specialist place soon.

For example is it a case of if its not done at a specialist it's a waste of time, or is it a case of there's every chance it'll be fine and just forget about it?

It's just you see a 182 with belts done reasonably recently by a local garage and I'm wondering is it a case of having to add another £500+ on getting the belts done?

I mean by choice a specialist would be ideal, but is it that important

Many Thanks

James

 

[imprezaworks]

On here, yes. Joe public not so much.

 

[B-shaw557]

Take it to a specialist, and it will be done correctly

Take it to average garage, they may well do it correctly, and fair play if so. BUT chances are they wont, all parts needing replacing may not be replaced and the timing will be out.

 

[Jimbob 2705]

What are the consequences of the timing being out?

 

[imprezaworks]

I've had a Clio done by a 'specialist' before I bought it. I trusted the chap who sold it, I won't go into why. Took it too r's tunning to get mapped. Tipex ftl and the timming was well out

 

[Knuckles]

What are the consequences of the timing being out?

At best, power loss.

At worst, Pistons smashing valves and chewing s**t up.

The latter can be cause for a new engine.

 

[Llewellyn]

It's just you see a 182 with belts done reasonably recently by a local garage and I'm wondering is it a case of having to add another £500+ on getting the belts done?

You could always have the timing checked by a specialist, providing the parts are recently new, I would have thought you'll be fine just having the timing checked.
Someone else could confirm, but if the timing is out, surely any specialist will be able to time it back up if the belt kit is new enough.

In regards to timing being out, it'll mean you'll be down on power.

 

[Big Tomm]

Interesting thread and something I have been mulling over for a while.

I have read a lot on here about the timing being out and it has lead me to believe that a specialist would be far more trustworthy. Wish I could do it myself, doing a normal timing belt concerns me enough.

EDIT

Out of interest, having done normal belts before, what causes the clio to be troublesome? are specialist tools required? I've always used a locking tool to lock the cams and gone from there. What causes them to be so troublesome on the clio? Sorry if it sounds like a bit of an obvious question.

 

[botfch]

Need a specialist tool to lock the cams. It's also a bell end to get to if your doing it on the ground.

Op I bought mine from a general garage and the timing was pretty far out, loosing 13bhp or so. The brakes where crap and a spring went within a month, however I did get it on the cheap.
Personally I would recommend buying one off someone here if you can. Most will be a lot better taken care of and have more accurate history.

 

[Symon]

If you take it to a regular garage chances are they will use a generic Renault cam locking tool, that is if they use a locking tool. Either way they will get the timing wrong.

To make matters worse some of the incorrect tools are sold on ebay as fitting these engines when the wrong types, so some DIY'ers also get the timing wrong.

 

[Jack!]

Wait and get one that's already been done by a specialist, or get it factored into the price, or leave it.

Problem is these cars are getting cheaper now, so they'll fall into the hands of people who don't care to maintain them to such a high standard, it's hard to stomach a belt change when it's potentially a third of the cars value, but it is what it is.

I'd say it's very important, even just for peace of mind, once it's done, it's done for five years.

Also, not all specialists are the same, a little bit of time on here will make you aware who the better specialists are.

 

[Typhoon]

Just a quick bit of info. I got mine done at a very highly spoken about garage who are by appointment to the queen so deal with all the royalties personal and fleet vehicles. What they weren't though was renault specialists. Their generic locking tool left me with an engine rebuild 8 months down the line.

 

[MicKPM]

I don't think it's an overly pricey job these days... We're VAT registered and we do it for £550 including the dephaser.

It's one of those jobs that you really are better to get it done right, by someone that knows what they're doing, first time. Of course, it's your car though so your choice.

 

[trenace188]

What are the consequences of the timing being out?

Specialist or average garage the price doesn't differ to much tbf .
Where about you from mate I know a lad at a average garage that knows clios more than most.

 

[warwickstingray]

Engines with interference fit pulleys are all roughly the same price to get done. The whole point of this setup is so that you can keep engine timing spot on while correctly tensioning the belt. The dephaser doesn't help as if the timing is out it can potentially move the timing to a dangerous position making the correct timing even more important. If the engine timing wasn't so important you'd have the old system of lining up marks and twisting the belt 45 or 90 degrees to check tension.

The tensioner has marks to line up to set it and the timing is checked simply by inserting a crank pin and pushing a horseshoe tool into the slots on the cams so in theory as long as you check your work at the end it's impossible to balls it up but it is possible to insert the crank pin into the wrong hole and I'm sure garages get it all together and it looks close enough and they think it'll be fine. Especially after realising they really do need the cam pulley tool.

Another pitiful is not equalizing the belt tension which can cause the pulleys to move slightly but again this should be picked up by checking at the end.

If you search on here you can check the timing yourself by just getting hold of a crank pin and cheap horseshoe tool, popping out the cam end caps which you then replace and checking the tools fit properly. There is a thread somewhere showing you the window on the gearbox so you can check the crank is in the right place and many pictures of a correctly set tensioner.

You could pick up a recently done car check it yourself and then take it to a specialist if required but if your not mechanically minded then I can't recommend this.

It is important. The engine is more highly strung than an average hatchback engine and hence needs to be treated as such.

 

[warwickstingray]

As an example as to how bad a local garage can be on a bad cambelt job you won't even need to insert the horseshoe tool to check after inserting the crank pin. It will be that obvious!!

 

[Jimbob 2705]

Thanks all, seems that it really does make a lot of difference.

At least I know now for looking - either get one which has had the belts done at a specialist or get one which hasn't had the belts done for cheaper and get the belts done by a specialist....

Thanks all

 

[Symon]

My belt was done by an ordinary garage 10,000 miles ago (before i bought it).
I am pretty sure the timing is near enough correct, but the dephaser rattles and the cam cover leaks. At the mileage (72k at the time) I would have expected a specialist to have done the dephaser and resealed the cover.
It isn't just a small leak either I am loosing about 200ml of oil every week, and I do 150 miles per week.