Valver Maintenance.

[Swervin_Mervin]

Right ho. Now Im a valver owner I need to keep on top of the maintenance so I have a few questions.

How often should I change the oil and does anyone have any recommendations as to what to use (brand etc)?

How often should I get it serviced? Can I start doing that myself?

The one I bought had its cambelt snap at 70k. Its had a new/recon head put on by a garage and has now done 106k. Should I get a cambelt change done on it or do you think itll last another yr/8000 miles?

And thats all I can think of. Any other maintenance advice is more than welcome.

 

[funkimic]

oil wise about every 5-6000 miles and use a fully synthetic, or semi synth. halfords 5w-40 in mine. its fairly cheap for a fully synth

http://www.chris-longhurst.com/carbibles/index.htmlhttp://www.chris-longhurst.com/carbibles/index.html - good read for oil stuff

servicing can be a bit fiddly. air filter, spark plugs easy. oil change is hard the first time, but ok after. those are the main 3 and the most important. get hold of a haynes for the rest.

cambelt should be ok as long as its not over 5 years. im sure a lot of these snapping cambelts are more down to the age than the mileage.

another thing i noticed when i fist got the car is how many rattles and squeaks these valvers make. i always thought that ther was something else going wrong but a lot of em are just part of the cars charachter. u get used to em then you can start to enjoy the car.

enjoy

 

[JAY172]

oil every 6000miles(god i hate them oil filters especially when there tight as f**k)

cambelt 70000miles or 5 years.change it at a earlier mileage if it worries you.

spark plugs and air filter every 12000 miles

fuel filter every 36000 miles

 

[lofty]

tighten the rocker cover (to the specified torque) when your doing the plugs, stops oil leaking and save replacing the gasket. I think it officialy part of a service.

deyailed description of the oil change is on here http://clio.m-fix.co.uk/http://clio.m-fix.co.uk/

its might be hard the first time so maybe get a agrage to do it but after that it can be a 30 min job when the filter isnt siezed on - also remeber the filter is tight for a good turn before it starts to feel easier because your tuening so little at a time it feel like its not moving for ages.

 

[Swervin_Mervin]

Cheers people. Much appreciated.

 

[Tom_16v]

I change my oil every 3K, has done since new, but I run it quite hard. Dont think its really necessary though.

Anyway, when doing an oil/filter change, get the oil filter for the williams or 2.0 megane. It is the same internally as the valver filter but is slightly smaller, and has a nut on the end to tighten/loosen it.

 

[Matty]

Oil chaneg you can get done at National Tyres for 15 quid for Duckhams QXR semi synthetic and filter. Not worth doing yourself at this price. And at that price an get done before its due every 6k as will save on topping up costs.

Spark plugs, HT leads, Dizzy cap, rotor arm, check them as its quick and all could cause a loss in power. If standard ones replace depending on age of car and wear.

10k boost or similar is worth doing, spraying through teh throttle body, as is redex or similar in petrol tank every now and again.

Most stuff OK to do by self. Cambelt at 72k or 5 years and I think then every 36k. Up to you really. Water pump can be checked at same time.

Brakes easy to do apart from wheel bearings being fitted to rear disk.

 

[Tom_16v]

Quote: Originally posted by Matty on 23 January 2004

10k boost or similar is worth doing

Not at his mileage, much too high......

 

[Swervin_Mervin]

I was going to ask about that. Ive heard its bad news at higher mileages. Is it still bad news given that it had a recon head at 70K?

 

[king.stromba]

What about using a thicker oil on the older willys and valvers? I use 15w 40 on mine and it seems less tractor like.

I would have though 10k boost was ideal for higher milage cars???

 

[rasp]

manual says every 72k for the cambelt

 

[The Kirmanator]

Renault have brought that intervals down for the cambelt change, sure its about 40k something.

 

[Matty]

72k is for first cambelt change, think all after that are 36k. End of teh day you either leave it as longs as you can and risk it snapping or carry out preventative maintenance and do it when you think it needs doing and can afford it. Id rather pay 160 quid for the peace of mind than have it snap and pay considerably more.

As for 10k boost. Did mine at about 60k and may do again now at 81k. Cant do any harm.

 

[Tom_16v]

Quote: Originally posted by king.stromba on 23 January 2004

I would have though 10k boost was ideal for higher milage cars???

No, cos itll get rid of any carbon deposits that are filling any holes. My brother blew up his AX GT engine after he put 10K boost in at about 100K. Ran like sh*t for a week, and then went bang!

 

[Matty]

Again suppose on the condition in the first place. If you used it every 10k from new or on a rebuild or a healty car it can only help remove harmful deposits.

 

[king.stromba]

Optimax does the same over a longer period doesnt it? If carbon is holding your engine together its not good anyway?

 

[Matty]

Yeah think optimax, fuel system cleaners and 10k boost etc are all good if your car is healthy. If its in a bad way nothing is gonna really help.

 

[JAY172]

Quote: Originally posted by 16v - 2.0 on 23 January 2004


tighten the rocker cover (to the specified torque) when your doing the plugs, stops oil leaking and save replacing the gasket. I think it officialy part of a service.

deyailed description of the oil change is on here http://clio.m-fix.co.uk/http://clio.m-fix.co.uk/

its might be hard the first time so maybe get a agrage to do it but after that it can be a 30 min job when the filter isnt siezed on - also remeber the filter is tight for a good turn before it starts to feel easier because your tuening so little at a time it feel like its not moving for ages.

your right checking the rocker cover bolts was part of the 12000 service on a valver.