The Petrol Blue Project continued

[MLB]

Just for my own reference, after taking it apart and sanding the bushes down twice I've taken the Yanoo bushes off and sanded them down a third time to a total of 27.65 mm.

All greased, fitted and the stiff shift greased again and it finally feels the way I expected it to. Can't wait to take it for a drive on Friday.

 

[MLB]

Well didn't get much driving done with local lockdowns. When I finally did I got greeted with this the following day

Must've hit a stone or sprung a leak, but at least it got me to crack on with the AC restore project.

Ordered a bunch of bolts, nuts and washers, condenser, dryer and radiator and did a bit of prep work. Let's hope it'll be calm and dry next couple of days!

Scuttle cleaning:

Old radiator looking a bit sorry for itself

New expansion bottle

And the new radiator and condenser ready to go on

 

[Optimista]

Like your work!
Can you write step by step dissasembly for ventilation housing? Would like to do the same but dont know where to start from.

 

[MLB]

Thank you!

It's fairly straight forward, but I have to admit I cheated by using the PMS ac delete guide.

Clio 2 RS Aircon Delete kit std Pulleys

This aircon delete kit has been designed to make it easy to remove the aircon on your 172/182. New and improved design! The kit relocates your alternator as l

www.pure-motorsport.co.uk

Fitting instructions at the bottom link to a pdf document with a fairly good guide! Not all bolts are showing, but can't miss really. Took me about 45 minutes to an hour to get the whole thing out and about 30-45 to put it all back in after cleaning.

Couple of things I found:

• The bolt that you have to remove to move the central duct to the side is underneath the alarm horn so you'll need to remove that first.
• If you don't have one, get a wiper puller, makes getting the wipers off a ten second job without risking damage to your windscreen or bonnet!
• The blower motor clips in at the bottom and needs a bit of persuasion to get out while tilting to the front of the car after removing the screws.

If you have any questions, let me know, I'm happy to help!

 

[MLB]

Much like a lot of people I know, the Clio has gained a couple of kilos during lockdown..

AC is back in, just needs to be pressure tested and filled and the Odyssey battery has been replaced with a full size Bosch unit, yay for no more weekly charging!

Pipes fitted

Fresh coolant in

Fat battery in (the battery terminal is just temporary, I just refuse to pay £6 postage on a £14 item.)

While there I gave the bonnet lock mechanism a bit of a clean and greased the whole thing. Works a lot smoother now.

That's it for now, couple of brake related things coming up, but first try to book another day at Oulton Park now that the 2nd of December has been cancelled.

 

[Louis]

Did you secure your silicone hoses under the battery tray/ onto the bottom of the subframe?

 

[HAP]

Much like a lot of people I know, the Clio has gained a couple of kilos during lockdown..

AC is back in, just needs to be pressure tested and filled and the Odyssey battery has been replaced with a full size Bosch unit, yay for no more weekly charging!

Pipes fitted
View attachment 1504543

Fresh coolant in
View attachment 1504540

Fat battery in (the battery terminal is just temporary, I just refuse to pay £6 postage on a £14 item.)
View attachment 1504542

While there I gave the bonnet lock mechanism a bit of a clean and greased the whole thing. Works a lot smoother now.
View attachment 1504541

That's it for now, couple of brake related things coming up, but first try to book another day at Oulton Park now that the 2nd of December has been cancelled.

How do you keep your engine bay so clean? 😅

 

[MLB]

Did you secure your silicone hoses under the battery tray/ onto the bottom of the subframe?

Hmm I don't know really, just left everything in place and only taken the radiator out.

Not sure where under the battery tray you mean and I've been going through pics I've taken and haven't got any good pics of the hoses.

The bottom hose is attached with a clip on the subframe here though (the green doodly thing).

Anything specific you need to know? I can always have a look for you.

@HAP It does look clean in the photos, but it's dirtier than I would like! Whenever I work on the car I keep a bottle of APC and a stack of microfiber towels at hand, the detailer in me can't put things back dirty..

Also helps I have only done 1300 miles this year!

 

[Louis]

Hmm I don't know really, just left everything in place and only taken the radiator out.

Not sure where under the battery tray you mean and I've been going through pics I've taken and haven't got any good pics of the hoses.

The bottom hose is attached with a clip on the subframe here though (the green doodly thing).

View attachment 1504564

Anything specific you need to know? I can always have a look for you.

@HAP It does look clean in the photos, but it's dirtier than I would like! Whenever I work on the car I keep a bottle of APC and a stack of microfiber towels at hand, the detailer in me can't put things back dirty..

Also helps I have only done 1300 miles this year!

Yeah the little green one you've highlighted is the subframe one. There's another that clips under the battery tray, i made a little p-clip style bracket for mine but no idea if its needed! Stops it from hitting against the side of the battery tray and potentially rubbing i guess.

 

[MLB]

I'll have a look next time, all hoses looked in pretty good condition with no rubbing in the front, but I have to admit I haven't looked so far down, which hose specifically does that battery tray one clip on to?

 

[MLB]

Another small job done today, noticed the fog light was flickering every now and then while braking and the cruise control sometimes would disconnect when indicating left.

Took the left rear cluster out and found the expected corrosion. All cleaned and working fine again!

Also been for an alignment, just to get it checked really.

Time to get some coilovers and camber bolts this winter if funds allow.

Been reading a bit about how to set it up, but can't really work out what's a good starting point. 2 degrees camber and about 3 caster on the front with about 7' of toe on each side?

What's people's thoughts on rear camber shims?

 

[Louis]

I'll have a look next time, all hoses looked in pretty good condition with no rubbing in the front, but I have to admit I haven't looked so far down, which hose specifically does that battery tray one clip on to?

The one that goes to the expansion tank.

 

[Hollidog]

Another small job done today, noticed the fog light was flickering every now and then while braking and the cruise control sometimes would disconnect when indicating left.

Took the left rear cluster out and found the expected corrosion. All cleaned and working fine again!


Also been for an alignment, just to get it checked really.


Time to get some coilovers and camber bolts this winter if funds allow.

Been reading a bit about how to set it up, but can't really work out what's a good starting point. 2 degrees camber and about 3 caster on the front with about 7' of toe on each side?

What's people's thoughts on rear camber shims?

I'm having this light flickering problem too, is this just the rear light assembly? In mine the light itself doesn't flicker just the indicator on the dash.

Re: setup - as much front caster as you can get, usually done with top mounts, this gives you more dynamic camber as the car turns. Static camber I'm at 2.5deg on the front and 5 minutes per side toe out to get to 10 min total. This is for track so probably too aggressive for road. Likewise 2deg of negative on the rear is probably too high. I'm as square as possible on the rear.

 

[Mbeau]

I'm having this light flickering problem too, is this just the rear light assembly? In mine the light itself doesn't flicker just the indicator on the dash.

Re: setup - as much front caster as you can get, usually done with top mounts, this gives you more dynamic camber as the car turns. Static camber I'm at 2.5deg on the front and 5 minutes per side toe out to get to 10 min total. This is for track so probably too aggressive for road. Likewise 2deg of negative on the rear is probably too high. I'm as square as possible on the rear.

Will be the same pins on the rear light clusters as above.

 

[Kev@KAM]

As Hollidog says.
Max the caster and I'd say about 2 degrees of camber will be enough for a starting point.
Do you have slotted holes on the dampers?

 

[MLB]

@Hollidog, yes sorry, that wasn't clear, my actual fog light didn't flicker either, just the indicator on the dash!

I will still use the car on the road so may start with the 2 degrees camber with max caster that @Kev@KAM also suggested.

Rear camber isn't adjustable, probably a bit higher than the (standard?) 1.5 as I've put PMS hub spacers in there, so could try to get that back to 1.5 with shims.

@Kev@KAM I'm not sure if the holes are slotted, but I don't think so, just standard cup shocks with grams springs. I'd be looking at getting the BC racing DS coilovers that you suggested with their topmounts. I don't think those are slotted are they, so just use Eibach camber bolts?

 

[MLB]

Today was a good day!

Firstly the Arctic Blue flew through it's MOT with no advisories, great start.

Then, after six months of part hunting, bolt measuring and swearing when everything had to come off for the second, third or fourth time it was time to get the airconditioning system of the Petrol Blue vacuum tested and regassed.

Held vacuum and then took 710 grams of gas, exactly as per manual, spot on!

Fingers crossed it won't develop any faults and will keep me cool and dry for a while.

They don't look too bad together on the drive, I will miss the Arctic once it's gone!

 

[Jason_E]

This is such a stunning car! Recently did the AC Condensor on mine, very satisfying when you get it back and it stays cool! (Well it has for the last couple of weeks...)

My car also has the foglight light on the dash flickr occasionally under breaking, so glad I clicked on your thread now.

 

[MLB]

Thank you! Yes it is very satisfying when jobs go well and it works again afterwards! Difficult to tell the difference at the moment with the cold weather but it should at least keep the car condensation free over winter as well.

It's a common issue, the corrosion in the rear lights, so definitely worth checking every now and then, luckily isn't a difficult job!

 

[MLB]

Preparation day today for Anglesey on Sunday.

Checked windscreen washers front and back and all windows coated with Rain X.

Bought some radiator brackets a couple of weeks ago, they looked good enough to go on but after a chat with @RustyMojo and seeing how well he'd done on his I decided to restore them anyway.

Found some rust underneath the rubber so wire brush, deox c bath, two coats of electrox, two coats of satin black and then coated in XCP before they were ready to go on again, should be good for another decade:

Then cleaned the brakes and even though the pins had been out less than 300 miles ago they were sticking already. Time to replace them with Mr Pink items, looks a lot better!

Weather looking to be wet with 23 knots of wind so kept the PS3s on.

 

[MLB]

Had a great day out at Anglesey today! Everything got soaking wet and it was windy as hell but loved the track and managed to get 102 miles on the clock!

Takeaways from today:
-PS3 tyres cope amazingly well with wet track work.
-LSD is insanely effective.

The day was well organised under the current Covid restrictions and there were three different groups but still managed to speak to a couple of Clio owners and look at some proper machinery. Actually quite cool to see people using their £100k+ cars to do what they're made for on such a wet day.

 

[Euan Baguette]

Great looking car.


Glad you’re liking the diff!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MLB]

Not had much going on last two months, mainly due to Covid, but work will be starting again next week so time for some upgrades.

Tendency is to go full quiet and comfy at te moment so I'm just following the trend with something silenced..

And a 'dirty' car shot in the sun

 

[Daz.]

Hmmm Petrol Blue Mk4..... I should do it!

 

[MLB]

Finally got the PMS exhaust fitted today.

I prepared for the worst, knowing how rusty and stubborn Renault bolts and lambda sensors can get but I had a pleasant surprise when the lambda sensor just unscrewed without effort!

My wife read an article last week about the increase of catalytic converter thefts with a video of someone's cat being stolen in broad daylight. She asked me if you would notice.. So I this was the perfect time to let her hear the Clio without exhaust.

I think she jumped about a meter up in the air and a couple of worried looking neighbours came asking later if that was the new exhaust system I was installing ..

For the rest, the only thing that needed a bit of persuasion of the impact wrench and hammer were the old exhaust clamps and the cups in the exhaust manifold before the cat.

Only realised when I took the hanger mounts off that I already had the shorter ones but decided to get the Pro-Am ones installed anyway.

Out with the old crusty stuff and in with the new shiny stuff!

Ktec off

And finally the PMS system on!

Please don't comment on how dirty the car is, I know and I am ashamed..

As for the tips, I have been driving my wife and some people on the forum here crazy trying to figure out which exhaust tips to go for, but I am well happy with the look of the outward rolled 3" pipes!

The system will need a bit of readjusting but will give it a couple of weeks to settle and then fine tune.

 

[frayz]

Lovely, but vids are required

 

[MLB]

I will see if I can take some video footage. Be interesting to hear if the sound is a lot different from yours as I've got the PMS sports cat installed.

Also planning on doing a side by side comparison with ktec exhaust as I know where that is going in two weeks!

 

[davo172]

Finally got the PMS exhaust fitted today.

I prepared for the worst, knowing how rusty and stubborn Renault bolts and lambda sensors can get but I had a pleasant surprise when the lambda sensor just unscrewed without effort!

View attachment 1524639

My wife read an article last week about the increase of catalytic converter thefts with a video of someone's cat being stolen in broad daylight. She asked me if you would notice.. So I this was the perfect time to let her hear the Clio without exhaust.

I think she jumped about a meter up in the air and a couple of worried looking neighbours came asking later if that was the new exhaust system I was installing ..

For the rest, the only thing that needed a bit of persuasion of the impact wrench and hammer were the old exhaust clamps and the cups in the exhaust manifold before the cat.

Only realised when I took the hanger mounts off that I already had the shorter ones but decided to get the Pro-Am ones installed anyway.

Out with the old crusty stuff and in with the new shiny stuff!
View attachment 1524640

View attachment 1524641

Ktec off
View attachment 1524642

And finally the PMS system on!
View attachment 1524643

View attachment 1524644

Please don't comment on how dirty the car is, I know and I am ashamed..

As for the tips, I have been driving my wife and some people on the forum here crazy trying to figure out which exhaust tips to go for, but I am well happy with the look of the outward rolled 3" pipes!

The system will need a bit of readjusting but will give it a couple of weeks to settle and then fine tune.

Only old Ford RS turbos and cossies should run outward rolled exhaust tips its the law! and you sir have just broken it!

 

[MLB]

Haha I knew someone would say that!

I wanted to have inward rolled tips as I don't like how straight/slash cut dissapears when looking at them from straight behind, similar to the ktec ones but they whistle. Ow well consider it an homage

 

[davo172]

Haha I knew someone would say that!

I wanted to have inward rolled tips as I don't like how straight/slash cut dissapears when looking at them from straight behind, similar to the ktec ones but they whistle. Ow well consider it an homage

Looks decent tbf thou 👍

 

[MLB]

Sold the Ktec exhaust to @HAP yesterday, was great to meet up and see his car. Was super clean and looked stunning in the sun!

Mine was dirty and we couldn't go anywhere for decent pics but would've been rude not to take a couple of pics..

 

[Clio182mike]

Love this car. I'm selling my arctic blue to wait for a petrol blue now.

 

[frayz]

I’m not a petrol blue fan but they look great together. 2 lovely cars. 👌🏼

 

[MLB]

Thanks guys, and a third Petrol Blue lurking around North Wales now as well!

@Clio182mike definitely worth it for those three days a year when the car is clean and the sun is out!

 

[MLB]

Inspired by @frayz I've ordered some extra weight for the car..

Plan is to take apart the interior in stages, fit the sound deadening and do a deep clean/interior detail as I've not had time to do that properly since buying the car.

Started with the drivers doorcard to see what was causing the window to get stuck in the down position.

Culprit wasn't hard to find, replaced, cleaned and now all working smoothly again.

 

[MLB]

Meh, stages didn't happen, just randomly started taking interior bits and pieces out until there was a pile of interior next to the car.

Then I realised I hadn't saved the full interior sound measurements so went out with the rear stripped and got 82 dB average on the motorway at 70 mph.

Started with sound deadening the driver side door and cleaning the door card.

All fairly straight forward except the Dodomat super liner, that stuff is sticky!

Alcantara came up well.

Speaker grills are always a nice dirt trap.

Still waiting for some audio components so started with the first layer of sound deadening in the rear today.

So far I'm liking this job, it's very therapeutic and I've been wanting to do an interior deep clean for almost a year and a half now.

Downside of cleaning, sound deadening and doing audio at the same time that it's going to be a long project.

Thanks for reading!

 

[frayz]

Oooh exciting. Looks like you’re doing a great job as usual mate. 👍🏼

 

[MLB]

It is exciting, especially as I don't think I'll drive the car until I've finished the job so I'll be going from fully stripped to fully sound deadened.

I don't know how, but I totally forgot to take pictures from the boot lid but finished it today, outer skin and inner skin with dodomat hex and plastic cover with dodomat super liner.

Not sure if it's noticeable in the video audio but the difference is incredible.

 

[frayz]

The video doesn’t show it as well as I know it will be. The change in sound of the central locking on the boot lock is crazy.

 

[HAP]

Must be like a Rolls Royce now, unlike my rattlebox!