What to look for when buying a Mk1?

[oberon]

Hi,

1st post on here although I've searched it many times for info on my mates 172 Cup

I'm toying with the idea of getting a 1.8 Mk1 Clio for navigational rallying and I'm after some good tips on what to look for when buying one.

What are the common faults to look for?
What nearly always goes wrong and how it is fixed?
How strong are the engines/gearboxes? I've read that the 'energy' engines are pretty strong? :S
When should the timing belt be replaced?
What are likely spare parts costs? Driveshafts, CV joints, rod ends etc?
What is a 'valver'? Please excuse my ignorance!

I did a search but couldn't really find what I was after, I hope some knowledgable types can help me out

Thanks in advance

Andrew

 

[mattrt]

valver is the common name for the 1.8 16v mk1 ph1 & 2.
energy engine is found in the 1.4 8v, not sure if its in other though, somebody will know.
electrics ie rear wipers, lights, rust on arches and bottom or doors are common niggles with mk1 clios.
hope i help

 

[oberon]

Thanks for a quick reply mate

 

[mattrt]

no problem, i have the 1.4 8v energy myself.

 

[Nafoff]

yep if you want an energy engine then i think it goes from the 1.2's up to the 1.8 8v (also known as the RSI), the valver is and F7R engine and is very big and hard to work on

like on most cars get a good history find out when all belts where changed and maybe clutch cables....and then anything matt has already said

 

[Miss Valva]

unfortuantly i found out that parts are Expensive...not so much the buying as fitting as know one will touch valvers...almost everything is an engine out job... new clutch was qouted for £350 just to fit luckily a good mate who has speciliased in valvers did it for £160 including parts...

recent mot ended up costing me £160 though..its and endless circle really, I suppose the same goes for all old cars though you have to put the work in to keep em up to scratch!

 

[oberon]

Thanks again,

So is the F7R the 1.8 16V lump? Sounds like it'd be more hassle than it's worth for what I'm wanting it for. A 1.8RSi sounds just the ticket I'm not to shabby working on cars so hopefully I'll be able to do it all myself.

Any more tips on what to look for will be much appreciated!:drunk:

 

[edde]

The rsi won't be that much easier to work on
A good valver if you can find one can be very reliable and cheap its just luck though.
Rust on the arches at the back is the big problems along with rust and crash damage claso check the chassic of the ca for rust as this can be a big killer.
Expect to find rust around the rear wiper and on the inside of the car.
Expect it to rattle.
Almost anything can go wrong electrics can be a problem mainly.
Timing belt should be changed at 60k a lot of people chance it quicker than that as it can break although a second hand engine isn't that much.
Its a big engine though and so its in the way of everthing.
Gearboxes are quie strong it depends how there driven.
The 1.8 does need to be reved though to make it go you will find a few cars have had 2.0 engine transplants done which is difficult to tell unless you've driven a 1.8 and a 2.0 as the 2.0 doesn't need the revs and theres no 4k pickup (plus a lower rev line).