ClioSport.net

Register a free account today to become a member!
Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

  • When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Read more here.

Please help with Engine Issue - 182 2004



  Clio 182 2004
Doh! OK just realised as danny said that pulleys need to come off first.

OK well I got the cam cover free at least. Now realising my mistake I have bolted it back on roughly.

So now I need to removed pulleys.... but how?

When I turned the nuts to try to free them the entire cam just turns. How on earth do you lock the cams to stop them from turning?
 
  172 Cup
Doh! OK just realised as danny said that pulleys need to come off first.

OK well I got the cam cover free at least. Now realising my mistake I have bolted it back on roughly.

So now I need to removed pulleys.... but how?

When I turned the nuts to try to free them the entire cam just turns. How on earth do you lock the cams to stop them from turning?

See posts #16 and #24 in this thread:

http://www.cliosport.net/threads/f4r-camshaft-lock-tool-mot-1509-hire.380377/

I would suggest taking your car to a specialist to if you're not sure what to do with these.
 
  Clio 182 2004
Thanks Canary - that is much appreciated.

Yes of course you are correct about taking the car to a specialist.

But my situation is that I've spent all of the big money that I'm going to spend on this car. I'm just having a quick shot at keeping it alive now. If I muck it up then I'll sell it for parts or do something to try to get my money back, and then just get another car that hopefully works.

This is my first Clio, and Ive only managed a grand total of 3 miles in this car before the cambelt went, so I have zero love for it, and hence just not willing to put any resources into it.

If it were my Nissan that I've had for 10 years then would be happy to throw £1000's into it.

FYI - also went up road to my local garage today. They want nearly £1k to do the cambelt, and that's not even considering the probable valve problems.

OK lets carry on tomorrow and see where we get.
 
  Clio 182 2004
OK guys cracking on with Clio today. Starting to like this car more the more I play with it - the engineering is simple but smart.

Ok removed pulley bolts. As it turns out all of the aux belt debris is wrapped around the crank pulley so tightly that it is offering enough friction to undo the pulley bolts no problem.

OK first look at top of head. Assessment:
- cams look un-damaged except for some small marks from where I tried to re-fit the cam cover under a large tension, but I think they are ok. Looks like the alloy cover gave away before the steel cams did
- sadly the cam chamber is chock full of aux belt debris 😧
Any thoughts at this point?


 

MicKPM

ClioSport Trader
  Clio16v/Zoe Z.E.50
Don't worry about the cams or the followers/lifters, they look ok and only get damaged if a rocker is flipped off and then becomes jammed under a lobe.

OK guys. Compression check done.
good news: 0% error between cylinders, bad news: 0Psi on all cylinders... (with trusted tester)

Stop messing around and pull the head off it... it's going to have to happen so come to terms with it lolz. Then take the valves out (Enjoy that job with bent valves) and inspect the guides for wear/damage/movement.
 
  Clio 182 2004
Sorry - OK off comes this head!

Just waiting for a mate to arrive with my torque sockets or whatever you call them.
 
  Clio 182 2004
Right! Head off.

Exhaust valves have not made contact with pistons. Intake valves have made contact. Doesn't look as bad as I though it would. See pics below.






 
Last edited:
  Clio 182 2004
OK well I'll try to remove the most damaged looking one, inspect it. And then we can make a judgement call from there.
 
  Clio 182 2004
Understood Sir. Some follow up questions please:
- the exhaust valves do no seem to have made contact, so I should only replace intakes?
- can you suggest a reliable source to buy these valves from please? I am new to these cars and I am liable to buy the wrong ones if I unleash myself on a google search purchase.

Thanks
 

Darren S

ClioSport Club Member
Stick with it Jontt. You've done approximately 682% more maintenance on your engine than the rest of CS put together! I'm no mechanic - but I would definitely be chucking new valves in, as per Dan. To get this far and rebuild it with 11-year-old components (weak ones at that) - simply doesn't make sense.

It will be worth it in the long wrong run - trust me. You'll get it all back together and then find a decent local A-road and all of this niggling crap and bad luck that you've had will be forgotten. They are great little cars!
 

Darren S

ClioSport Club Member
Would it be worth grinding/polishing the pistons too? No idea if there is any benefit in doing so - or if it's more hassle than it's worth!

And besides - we need to see some pics of this drift Nissan of yours!
 
  Clio 182 2004
I was thinking about just that in the bath! I was gunna ask you guys.

Currently the pistons are covered in black scum, I assume it is a normal combustion deposit. I wonder whether this actually affects performance, or is just an eye sore? If it does not affect performance, then it isn't even worth thinking about. But if I wanted to clean, then I guess the block would have to come apart... and that REALLY is wayyy beyond my skill level. I've never even removed valves from a head before so kind of learning as I'm going.

LOL, yes ok. I'll link a couple of URL's from my facebook page below. I am Emperor Tuning, parts supplier for Honda & Nissan. Don't be fooled though, I am NO mechanic:

Nissan Sil80:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1512612482325391.1073741829.1512182845701688&type=3

Clio 182:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1563855037201135.1073741844.1512182845701688&type=3
 
  Clio 182 2004
Will do Dan thx. Do I also clean the bore liners or should they remain oily/brown?

I've just ordered a valve spring compressor. So waiting for that to arrive before progressing. Will spend some time now cleaning up the head as she is very dirty and full or crap.

Can I just ask some questions to pre-empt the valves coming out please?

1 - once the valves are released, is there any concern that the valve guides and seals may be damaged? If so, what should I do to check them? Wiggle the valves and hope to find no play?
2 - if I am looking at replacing the intake valves for Supertech new ones, where can I buy them please? Is there a reputable UK shop? I am new to Renault.

Thanks
 
Yes, give them an oil with some engine oil.

Yes remove the valves, wiggle the valve in the guide, there shouldn't be any play.

Engine dynamics are a reputable firm for valves, I don't know if they'll sell just inlets however, but the set is cheap enough if you go for the stainless exhausts.
 
  Pug 206 SW, 172 CUP
Wish I still had a picture of my fiesta CVH's bent valves after a throttle cable malfunction and the lifters jacked up. Guides knackered and the valves bent in two places :(

Keep at it! It's very satisfying to finish a job like this.
 
  Clio 182 2004
Thanks guys, cheers for info Dan.

Ok that lot should keep me busy for a few days. I'll keep updating thread with pics - incase it helps noobs like me.
 

Darren S

ClioSport Club Member
I was thinking about just that in the bath! I was gunna ask you guys.

Currently the pistons are covered in black scum, I assume it is a normal combustion deposit. I wonder whether this actually affects performance, or is just an eye sore? If it does not affect performance, then it isn't even worth thinking about. But if I wanted to clean, then I guess the block would have to come apart... and that REALLY is wayyy beyond my skill level. I've never even removed valves from a head before so kind of learning as I'm going.

LOL, yes ok. I'll link a couple of URL's from my facebook page below. I am Emperor Tuning, parts supplier for Honda & Nissan. Don't be fooled though, I am NO mechanic:

Nissan Sil80:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1512612482325391.1073741829.1512182845701688&type=3

Clio 182:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1563855037201135.1073741844.1512182845701688&type=3
Great pics - I love how the Nissan is left to look functional rather than concours condition. It all adds to the appeal of cars like this, imo.

Btw - there's a strong JDM appreciation on CS - so I wouldn't be too surprised if a few questions or queries come your way! I went down the three red-diamond route for a couple of years while still owning the 182. Two totally different cars - and I would still keep both if money and space weren't an issue!

Definitely subscribing to this thread - to see how you get on :)
 
  Clio 182 2004
Hi guys - got a couple of hours of clio time in today(pics below):

- lol yeh you noticed my £35 Halfords spray can paint job. One day I have promised her a proper paint job, but gunna haev to sell a few more car parts until I afford that :smile: - also, now I have a clio, I have mentioned it so several of my Nissan customers, and yes, many have had or still have clios, so I agree Darren.

- cleaned up the 3 faces of the head that accept gaskets. I tried several things but the best was the rough side of washing up sponges and a mixture of brake cleaner and white spirit. Takes ages and is boring. But I guess these are pretty critical faces so I best put the time now to avoid blows or oil leaks.

- cleaned up the top mating face of the head. It was covered in streaks of hardened black sealant. The only method I could find to get it off was a Dremel with a wire brush bit. Surface is nice and smooth now.

- Also regards the upper face and the cam cover. Yes there is some damage. To get the cam cover off was a real nightmare, I really don't think you can do it by hitting it off. In the end I jammed a sharpened chisel in various areas and hammered it in. It worked but it damaged the sealing faces of the head and the cam cover. I have shown an example below. My solution was to manually and carefully hand file it down, then polish it with dremel and wire brush bit. The key I think was to make sure that no parts of the damage were sitting proud of the main surface level, it they sat shy a little bit I think that will be ok because the sealant will hopefully take up the slack. Fingers crossed. I'll do the cam cover tomrrow.






 
Last edited:
  Clio 182 2004
What are the "finger followers"?

I like the Engine Dynamics site, prices are great. I am starting to put together a shopping list. Can you guys let me know if I have missed anything obvious please? This is assuming that I don't find any more damage in the valvetrain.

1) Intake valves OEM(8) £69 (still debating between £300 Supertech full set or £69 OEM with myself)
2) High Temp Sealant £11.99
3) Cylinder Head Bolts OEM(10) £44.99 (I assume that I can not re-use the old ones?)
4) Camshaft End Blank Seals £11.99

- gaskets - these all look good, I guess I can re-use all of my gaskets including HG? Just need a clean up.
- aux belt - this is effectively new and un-damaged. The tensioner has seen better days but I think it will be fine. I have also created an additional steel tensioner to make sure that this whole incident can not happen again. (the aux belt tensioner slipped/rotated and chewed up the belt)
- cam belt & anxc. - well I know the cambelt slipped when the aux belt chewings got in there, but as far as I can see the cambelt & anxc. look perfect so I can re-use? Opinions?
- fuel injector - I forget to mention, I snapped the plug part off one fuel injectors when testing the fuel system. Any idea where I can get a single OEM injector please?

Anything else?
 
They aren't OEM at £69. They will be pattern parts, and trust me, every single car I've seen using pattern valves, one has failed. OEM parts are pretty much the same price as supertechs.

New gaskets. Always.

You can reuse the head bolts, but they have to be within tolerance.

New cambelt kit and aux kit. Make sure it's a kit aswell as the tensioners fail and you'll be back to where you are.

You'll also need the crank bolt. If you get a genuine head gasket set you get the seals for the cams along with the fixings.

Euro's do the injectors
 
  Clio 182 2004
That's a bigger list that I was hoping for - but it is what it is.

I'll phone up the Dynamics shop on tomorrow and basically explain your list and get the stuff on order.

I'll sort the injector out later as that will be one of the last parts.
 

Ol’ Tarby

ClioSport Moderator
  Clio 220 Trophy
You seem like the sorta person that enjoys getting stuck in and doing things for yourself, but......There's an engine for sale on here currently for 250 quid...
 
  Clio 182 2004
Thanks James. Is it a 182 engine? Oh man that's so tempting... so cheap... I sell Honda/Nissan engines for £1500. Love clios now!

I know the repair is a real PITA but I'm secretly enjoying it. And as my company is called Emperor Tuning, I suppose I really should learn how to repair an engine...

I think realistically, I plod on for the next couple of weeks, if it ends up getting too difficult or too expensive then I'll bail, and get a new(used) tall block.

Another couple of hours today cleaning other gaskset surfaces. Engine building isn't as sexy as they make it look in 30 second montages from Fast and Furious etc is it?
""
 

Ol’ Tarby

ClioSport Moderator
  Clio 220 Trophy
@Jontt mate if you're happy to carry on, then use it as a training exercise. Depends on how much money you are happy to put into it.

I can't remember if its from a 172/182 but the block is the same. Only difference is the cam cover IIRC as the 172 breathes into the inlet.

Good on ya for getting stuck in mate. Join up for 12 quid mate, you'll get access to the marketplace so you can make wanted threads etc. You'll find everything you need from someone. Plus the guides section which has a few topics on the F4R
 
  Clio 182 2004
Cheers mate - I'll continue as I am, if it goes to plan and I get the clio going then I'll sign up and become a member - and you'll get to hear my lovely voice EVERY day :p
 


Top