Newbie from Le Mans

[Alfox]

Hi everyones!

My name is Alaric, and as mentioned i'm from France, near Le Mans.

I have a Ph1 172 since 2012 and now she have 225 000 Kms on the odo (approx 140 000 miles)

The car is actualy disasembled for a gearbox rebuild and i hope drive it very soon!

I have also a 1.6 16V Ph1 "Sport" for everyday drive!

Because English is not my first language maybe i'll not be posting much but i'm reading a lot from your forum, this is by far more easy than Facebook group i think!

 

[JamesBryan]

That Ph1 looks very clean!

I've been to the Le Mans 24 Hour race for the past 7 years, great place!

 

[Alfox]

Me too! Le Mans Classic (coming next week end) is also a very good event!

 

[Vaughan]

Love your Phase 1s. We only got 85 172 Phase 1s in Australia (and no other the of Phase 1) so they are pretty rare and are becoming more appreciated.

 

[Alfox]

I didn't know Renault export cars in Australia! Renault cars in general don't be very common in your country?

 

[Kev@KAM]

Are the roads used for the race quiet normally? I like the photos!

 

[Alfox]

Yes, this is the Indianapolis virages. This is a good spot for taking pictures!

 

[Greeny.]

Ph1 looks factory fresh, love it

 

[Darren S]

Nice pair!

In the several times that I have driven in France, I don't think I've seen a RenaultSport Clio on the road? Do the French not like their own produce? ?

 

[JamesBryan]

Nice pair!

In the several times that I have driven in France, I don't think I've seen a RenaultSport Clio on the road? Do the French not like their own produce? ?

Something to do with their higher tax iirc.

I'm sure @Alfox can confirm.

 

[Alfox]

There are some but unfortunately, here peoples are more concern about economy than pleasure when it's come to cars...

This is why 70-80% are diesel and borings cars... But this is about to change because taxes on diesel are increasing a lot... Since 30 years, diesel was fiscally advantaged but this is the end of this era.

People are now buying gasoline or hybrid cars (but still boring ! ) and i'm happy with that, i can't support anymore the black smoke and nasty odor of diesel engine...

 

[Clio_fool]

Your 172 looks lovely, as I'm sure you've noticed there's much appreciation for the mk1 clio still in the club. Welcome to cliosport[emoji1073]

 

[Alfox]

Yes! A future classic for sure !

 

[Goodj]

Do you know the Bourdais Family?



Very nice Ph.1 you have there

 

[Darren S]

@Alfox - have you made the journey to RenaultSport plant in Dieppe yet?

That would be a good pilgrimage to make in your Ph.1

 

[Alfox]

Do you know the Bourdais Family?



Very nice Ph.1 you have there

Not personnaly, why?

 

[Alfox]

@Alfox - have you made the journey to RenaultSport plant in Dieppe yet?

That would be a good pilgrimage to make in your Ph.1

I don't, but i want to someday...

 

[Gavin.]

Le Mans, my favourite place in the world! Love the phase 1 Alfox

 

[bozothenutter]

That is one clean Phase 1!!!
I have friends in Le Mans , haven't seen them in a while though, they own Librairie Thuard (I think it is called)

 

[Alfox]

Hi guys!

The Clio 'll be back on the road this afternoon if everything is allright after two month of repairs!

in summary:

Gearbox rebuild with Ph3 diff reinforcement
Clutch Kit
Timing Kit
Dephaser Pulley
All oil seals
Seal of the oil pan
Accessory kit
Water pump
New steering pump support
Steering rack standard exchange
Powerflex black steering rack hard bush mount
Top suspention bushs and bearing
Clio 1.2l exhaust thermal screen
All the fluids and filters

The most tricky thing to do is the aux belt, what a crappy design... Must be ingenious to put in place...

I'm so exited to drive it again!

 

[Gus]

Brilliant update, just had a coffee whilst looking over your pictures.

 

[Clio_fool]

Brilliant update, just had a coffee whilst looking over your pictures.

And a croissant?

It will nice and fresh after all that work.

 

[Atzuuh]

Clean Phase 1 you got there!

 

[Alfox]

Thank you!

I hope going up to 300 000 kms without opening the engine.

Anyway, the Clio is back on the road! I drove it this morning a few kilometers to check everything, and it was all right!

I'll drive it further maybe this evening or tomorow.

 

[Alfox]

All right, so i drove it maybe 700 Kms and everything is ok except one thing.

The second gear is very hard to pass when gearbox is cold... i mean, very hard. Shifting from first to second is always ok, but third to second this is another story...

After 15mn or so and getting hoter, the problem dissapear and it's ok. This is a very strange problem...I've never seen this before...

Anoying for a fresh rebuild gearbox...

 

[Alfox]

Hi folks.

The Clio keep doing all right exept the seconde gear hard to get in under certains conditions.

However that isn't keep me from going on local events with Renault Sport friends.

 

[Iceberger]

Stunning phase 1 and great photos!