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Newbie - Clio 1.8 16v with problems



  Clio 1.8 16v
Hi,
New to the site, hello all! :D
Just got an L reg Clio 1.8 16v but it isn't in that good shape. Apart from the obvious problems (bump strip missing, no front grill, no boot carpet, bonnet dented & bent to fook!) it has some electrical and mechanical problems too that I'd like to sort out. It's been used and abused but rescued from certain breakage by me! I swapped it for what was a better car (2.0L 16v Corsa, S reg) but I like the wee thing & think it has got some potential, and looks really good. I'm absolutely skint but I'm hoping to fix some through pure talent :rasp: Can you guys give me any handy pointers on the following:

ELECTRICAL
1) The Rev counter doesn't work properly. The needle moves sometimes but it gets stuck at 3.5K RPM's and is very slow to react in general. If I hit fcuk out the dash, I can get the needle *BANG* to *BANG* go *BANG* back *BANG to *BANG* rest. You get the idea.

2) The oil gauge furthest to the left workes intermitantly. Reads below min most of the time but occasionally shoots up to a reading. Then gives up 5 mins later.

3) Is it normal for the drivers window wiper to be SUBSTANTIALLY bigger than the passenger?

INTERIOR

1) Is it normal for the passenger seat to sit higher than the drivers, and has everyone elses seat backs been torn by the springs exploding & exiting through the vinyl?

2) Also, the interior handles have fallen off the doors. As both handles are gone is this a common fault for which there is a fabby fix? Or is it a case of well done, you own the most handle-abused clio in the history of everything.

MECHANICAL

1) When first starting the car from stone cold - I get a noise like someone hitting the engine block gently with a hammer quickly - lasts about 1 minute & fades to nothing. Then I get the tappets, then that fades, then all is well. This ok for 128K on the clock? I know it isn't 'ok' but is it ok enough?

2) At about 75 to 80 the car feels like it is about to fall apart, it shakes all over the place, the steering wheel wobbles all over the place, and in general feels very unsteady. Any common fixes?

3) It hunts from cold and struggles to idle - bruuuum brum, bruuuuum brum, bruuuuuuuum brum, up & down from about 1000 to 2000 rpm (I guess, being jonny-no-rev counter)

But, I have a non leaky sunroof -WOOOHOOO!!!! :cool:

Thanks for any help you guys can give me & Chloe (the Clio).
 
  Trophy
Rev counter needs replacing with a new/2nd hand unit, common fault.
Oil guage only shows the level when you first turn the ignition on, it can't measure the oil level with engine running.
Wipers should be the same size, but no biggy.
If it's a phase 2 the drivers seat will be height adjustable.
Needs some new handles and maybe the clips they screw into, not sure which ones you mean.
Live with the tapping if it goes when warmed up.
Needs the column fixing and wheels balancing.
Idle problem could be a number of things, first to try is the ISCV located just infront of the Throttle body.



Mat.
 
  Clio 1.8 16v
Thanks for the info Mat, consise and to the point, nice!
The handles I mean are the ones you pull to shut the doors. It's a phase 1 I think but I don't have a manual so don't know what half the switches do - will get one though. Any quick ways to tell the difference between the two?

Honest, here's the extent that it has been 'looked after' before I got it - the window wipers fell off when I lifted them up - as the wipers were just 'sitting' inside the U shaped clip on the arms - no fixings were used!
 
  Civic Vtec y0
You will pick those handles up from a scrap yard or I have a spare set if your interested in making your first purchase on ClioSport? ;)

Ive got all the bolts as well so that should do the trick!

Just be nosy really but how much did you pay for the car?
 
  Vee dub
Good on you Alex, not sure I'd have the patience to fix all those things... but let me assure you..... once sorted.. those valvers are alot of fun! :approve:

Hope all goes well and enjoy

TomS
 
  Clio 1.8 16v
Are your handles grey by any chance & how much are you after?
I didn't pay a penny for it - I swapped for the Corsa, I got a bit of money too (not much) and got to keep the stereo out the Corsa (which I'm either selling or sticking in the Clio!)
 
  Clio 1.8 16v
Thanks Tom.
Mat, that oil gauge, it was working when I was driving about intermittantly - totally wonky then aye?
 
  Vee dub
Once the car is started, the oil guage will read your oil level.. then after 10 or so secs it will go back down again.

Tom
 
  Clio 1.8 16v
Cheers for the phase info, I thought it was maybe a Phase 1. Can I fit a phase 2 grill right onto it?
 
  Beetle
you can if you get the clips off of a phase 2 clio aswell cos i think the fixings vary slightly, a lot of people do it though.
 
  Williams 2
Scott-16v! said:
you can if you get the clips off of a phase 2 clio aswell cos i think the fixings vary slightly, a lot of people do it though.

you can get the clips from renault for a couple of squids:D
 
  Clio 1.8 16v
Yee-hah Chloe will be grill-less no longer then WOOT!
Just need a decent bonnet & a quick bit of paint & away I go! (To a maximum of 75mph)
Guys do you know what the service schedule on one of these clios is. I'll just assume it has had jack 5hit done (can't afford a wiper clip?!?) and get a service done, but what does the 'service' contain? Youse got a scan of the relevant pages from the service manual or something?
 
  Vee dub
Al1exx said:
Whats in a minor and major service mate?

Minor is your oli/filter change

Major - Not entirely sure to be honest mate, but i'll check my service book for you in a mo, unless someone is quicker than me lol
 
  Vee dub
Looking through the handbook - seems to be alot of detail mate.. you got your service book there?


We should have the servicing guide for the valver/williams on the homepage I reckon
 
  Clio 1.8 16v
I don't mate I didn't get one. The 'service history' consisted of a load of receipts for irrelevant tat (Trim. A brake pipe.) and tyres. But it did have the timing belt done August 2005.

Yeah homepage would be a superb idea!
 
  Williams2,Willy rall
My 16v started hunting at low rev's turned out to be the oxygen sensor,screws into the exhaust,just in front of the cat.Easy to change,clean the s**t of it with a wire brush,spray it with loadsa penetrating oil,go have a brew,disconnect it,unscrew it, replace it and away you go.Renault agent might be able to diagnose it for you.
 
  Clio 1.8 16v
Are there any differences I can look out for? I know about the grill but I don't have one. Here is Chloe in all her glory:

Chloe_the_Clio.gif
 
  Clio 1.8 16v
Also, the interior trim is grey. I need to buy some new bits from the scrappers & from ebay but, do Clio's come with loads of different shades of grey trim? I don't want to get a 'grey' parcel shelf or speaker cover or whatever to find it is 'uber dark greay' instead of semi dark grey or slightly light grey which I need!
 
Differences between Phase1 and Phase2.
  • Wing Mirrors - Smaller on Phase1
  • Grill - Colour coded and sort of "U" shape on Phase2.
  • Headlight Strips - Colour coded on Phase2
  • Sidestrips - Smaller items on Phase1. Rounded on Phase2.
  • Heater Controls - Larger on Phase1 and more square
  • Dials (Needle colour) - White needles on Phase2, Orange on Phase1
  • Aerial - Larger whip on Phase1
  • Tailgate - Boot strip has badges on on Phase1. Badges are on tailgate on Phase2 with a different strip.
  • Rear Wiper - One unit for washer jet on Phase2. Phase1 has a larger wiper and the washer is seperate
  • Interior - Colour (All Phase2 is grey/black, Phase1: J- Yellow/Blue, K/L - Blue or Green flecks) and Seat Style (Adjustable Lumbar support in Phase2 with height adjustment (Drivers side))
  • Doors - Side impact protection on Phase2
  • Rear Lights - Rounded and match boot strip on the Phase2. Phase1 items are more "flat"
I'm sure there are other differences I've forgotten about!

There are more differences between J and K/L Phase1 Valvers also.

I did a guide for the differences between the Williams 1/2/3.. I might do one for the Valver some time and get it on my web site :)
 
Last edited:
  S2000
I take it that it's this one HERE in that case? Just wondered as I was considering contacting the guy about having a look at that car.
 
  Mk1
where abouts you from alex?
dude, ur chloe looks better than mine, any valver looks better than a simple 8V :dapprove:
 
  Clio 1.8 16v
The Corsa was a good car, better than the Clio, but it had it's own share of problems. I think in the long run the Clio will be the better car.
 
  S2000
lol, it was just because I thought that picture looked like the clio I was interested in and when I went to migweb I noticed the same guy was selling a 2.0 corsa.
 


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