2005 Clio 182 FF - Occasional track car
Discussion
An other track day under my belt, this time Mallory park. Sheet ice in the car park upon arrival on the 29th, a few people ended up on their bums. Luckily the rain stopped (slowed!) and the track became drivable. We headed out under caution, and I was very surprised how much there is on such a small circuit, definitely challenging enough.
After a session each, we were fairly happy and the (wet-ish) tyres were performing well, confidence was growing. We were luckily enough to grab a spare garage, but it came with some 'youths' next door playing banging music and go on about all their work on the cars. Unfortunately for them, it ended with a rather broken bottom end. A few people managed to spin off causing a red flag and someone was dropping oil too, so a few stops throughout the day.
My last session was the best, as it'd dried out enough, borderline could have put the dry tyres on (last pic of last post) and gone for it, but time was running out and didn't want to spend 15 mins swapping them over. Unfortunately, the car developed an issue on the hairpin with the power steering, so I had to come in. The aux belt was slack, it was the end of our day. We managed to get it tight again by lumping the tensioner, but it was gone again just outside the track.
I waited 2 hours in a car I couldn't turn on to heat, and there is nothing around within walking distance, it was cold! I've not touched the car since, I imagine it's going to be a bit of a job, so will save it for a weekend.
Most importantly, the cab had a Christmas tree, and I had hobnobs!
After a session each, we were fairly happy and the (wet-ish) tyres were performing well, confidence was growing. We were luckily enough to grab a spare garage, but it came with some 'youths' next door playing banging music and go on about all their work on the cars. Unfortunately for them, it ended with a rather broken bottom end. A few people managed to spin off causing a red flag and someone was dropping oil too, so a few stops throughout the day.
My last session was the best, as it'd dried out enough, borderline could have put the dry tyres on (last pic of last post) and gone for it, but time was running out and didn't want to spend 15 mins swapping them over. Unfortunately, the car developed an issue on the hairpin with the power steering, so I had to come in. The aux belt was slack, it was the end of our day. We managed to get it tight again by lumping the tensioner, but it was gone again just outside the track.
I waited 2 hours in a car I couldn't turn on to heat, and there is nothing around within walking distance, it was cold! I've not touched the car since, I imagine it's going to be a bit of a job, so will save it for a weekend.
Most importantly, the cab had a Christmas tree, and I had hobnobs!
So, investigation began, the alternator was lose, but turns out the bolt sheared half way. It's also not a nut/bolt, rather, the bolt threads INTO the alternator. So I have a alternator with half a bolt stuck. If you look at the pics below, you'll see it also has 2 mount points, about 1 1/2 inches apart. So you can only attack the back side, and then have to wind it out backwards.
As the alternator is now stuck to it's mount, it was a 4 hours job to remove everything to get 1) enough space 2) to the retaining bolts for the bracket. A/C pump off, PS pump pulley off, then PS pump off, multiple bracket off...
Speaking with a mate, we decided to drill and then hammer a torx bit in, to try and wind it out, but as you can see, that's snapped. I've then spend an hour trying to drill that out, or anything, so I can helicoil the b
d and put it back together. Alas, I've given up, and it's off to my mate and his workshop to give it a crack, he can even helicoil it for me.
As the alternator is now stuck to it's mount, it was a 4 hours job to remove everything to get 1) enough space 2) to the retaining bolts for the bracket. A/C pump off, PS pump pulley off, then PS pump off, multiple bracket off...
Speaking with a mate, we decided to drill and then hammer a torx bit in, to try and wind it out, but as you can see, that's snapped. I've then spend an hour trying to drill that out, or anything, so I can helicoil the b
d and put it back together. Alas, I've given up, and it's off to my mate and his workshop to give it a crack, he can even helicoil it for me. That opens a whole other can of worms! I either get this bolt out, or buy new parts, but it's going back together on the drive. Engine out is engine crane, and then it's "how far do you go" (upgrades etc). It's due a cambelt (on time not mileage), but it's not getting done. I think I'd rather it go bang and replace it that do the cambelt.
Finally got the bugger out! Went through 4 drill bits, trying to drill it. Then after dropping it (accidentaly!) it fell into 2 pieces, so the stud can't have been sticking out that much. Anyway, it gave me enough to get some pilers on, but it's only turn 1/4 turn, lots of WD40 and heat and many many small turns, I got it out.
Now to put the car back together, and hope I get it right!
Now to put the car back together, and hope I get it right!
Not sure if anyone is still reading! But it helps me keep a track of it, and might help someone one day.
Saturday was spent in the rain, in my thermals trying to get this sorted. Everything is fiddly in the small space you have to work with, and improvising with tools seemed to be common. But I did get it all back together, minus the 2 bolts I'd not listed in my card, but in the scuttle panel. Unfortunately, they were at the bottom of the alternator bracket, off comes the Alternator, alternator bracket & AC pump to get to them. Typically upon putting it back together I dropped a few things, and spent forever getting to them. It was cold and wet, so wasn't on best form.
Anyway, I got to the belt, with little day light left. So cracked on, but I just could not get enough slack in the belt. This is usually done with a serpentine tool, but they don't fit in the tight engine bay. What you end up doing, is wrapping a jubilee clip around the tensioner, tightening and hoping it does't go bang (release the tension). Image stolen from internet...
Unfortunately for me, my jubilee clip has eaten itself before I could enough slack in the belt, so I had to abandon. Tonight will see me buy a beefy jubilee clip before trying again in the dark, but hopefully not rain.
Saturday was spent in the rain, in my thermals trying to get this sorted. Everything is fiddly in the small space you have to work with, and improvising with tools seemed to be common. But I did get it all back together, minus the 2 bolts I'd not listed in my card, but in the scuttle panel. Unfortunately, they were at the bottom of the alternator bracket, off comes the Alternator, alternator bracket & AC pump to get to them. Typically upon putting it back together I dropped a few things, and spent forever getting to them. It was cold and wet, so wasn't on best form.
Anyway, I got to the belt, with little day light left. So cracked on, but I just could not get enough slack in the belt. This is usually done with a serpentine tool, but they don't fit in the tight engine bay. What you end up doing, is wrapping a jubilee clip around the tensioner, tightening and hoping it does't go bang (release the tension). Image stolen from internet...
Unfortunately for me, my jubilee clip has eaten itself before I could enough slack in the belt, so I had to abandon. Tonight will see me buy a beefy jubilee clip before trying again in the dark, but hopefully not rain.
I have purchased 35 julibee clips (thanks to screw fix's 10 packs!) and none of them have worked. So I ordered the tool that everyone says doesn't work, and it doesn't work. But, I think I can get it to. The tensioner is not moving, it's solid, so I think it's fitted wrong or something. So I'm going to take it apart tomorrow and redo it, checking it moved before I put the rest back together!
Fingers crossed it's working at the end of tomorrow, 2 trackdays are pencilled in for Feb, so it needs to be working!
Fingers crossed it's working at the end of tomorrow, 2 trackdays are pencilled in for Feb, so it needs to be working!
For what is such a simple issue (1 bolt has snapped) it sure was a hell of a job, but I've got there! Well, pending spirited drive this evening to test it works...
After the last update I set about taking it apart and loosening the tensioner, turns out after a bit of work, that I could jack the engine up and get to the bolts (just) to loosen them. This involved some silly spanner set arrangement to pivot around a corner and a long bar to get out of the space for the headlight. But it saved taking it all apart again!
Once loosened, I put the belt in place, ready to use my new tool. I needed to grind down one of my new socket set adapters to get it to fit too (common). Well, you know what happened next...
Yep! The tensioner bracket snapped. Meaning I could no longer use the new tool on it. I gave up. Basically convinced myself I needed a new tensioner, so spoke with Renault parts direct who told me it's £130. I had just paid £70 for this one (some deal apparently!). So I decided to revert back to the old jubilee method. I got it together, but was concerned the bolt at the top of the alternator was barely in the nut, literally 2 threads) It was never going to hold, but at least I could move the car for now, whilst I sourced new bolts. At this point, due to me pounding the alternator to get it in the position it needed to be, I figured it was best to test output. bks, I've broken the alternator! It's my own fault, but all that work now wasted again.
Went to move the car to the drive, and what do you know, it won't start, and seems the bonnet won't open. I had to get a friend over to literally pull a leaver whilst I lifted the bonnet. Then jump the car, before seeing the dash light up like a christmas tree....I put this down to the alternator. When I got the car onto the drive, the bottom bolt on the alternator had come lose in 500meters of driving, made a note to loctite it back in place. At least it was nice weather...
New (used) alternator (3rd in 10 months) ordered on ebay for £25, the thing arrived without the bloody pulley. You may not know, but they come with a clutch pulley on them, so require a special tool, basically so you can get a tool through a socket, but also can't use a spanner as it's recessed. Most people will use an air impact gun, but I don't have one. I was going to go to a garage, but it's 8pm on Tuesday, so I doubt they'd be open. So, my breaker bar and a rubber mallet came into the game, some large hits and it's free! (My torque wrench is probably buggered though!) I swap the pulley and call it a day.
Saturday just gone, I got up early, set my tools out and set about it. Alternator on, belt on, via jubilee clip on tensioner and check everything is tight. Then hope the new alternator outputs enough voltage, before hoping the car works! Luckily it went smoothly, the belt too a bit of time, but I got it on. Fitted the longer bolt to the alternator too, with nylon nut to stop it coming undone and the alternator returned 14v+
New profile done, new wheels on the Z, clio has been lowered and spaced since the last one.
After the last update I set about taking it apart and loosening the tensioner, turns out after a bit of work, that I could jack the engine up and get to the bolts (just) to loosen them. This involved some silly spanner set arrangement to pivot around a corner and a long bar to get out of the space for the headlight. But it saved taking it all apart again!
Once loosened, I put the belt in place, ready to use my new tool. I needed to grind down one of my new socket set adapters to get it to fit too (common). Well, you know what happened next...
Yep! The tensioner bracket snapped. Meaning I could no longer use the new tool on it. I gave up. Basically convinced myself I needed a new tensioner, so spoke with Renault parts direct who told me it's £130. I had just paid £70 for this one (some deal apparently!). So I decided to revert back to the old jubilee method. I got it together, but was concerned the bolt at the top of the alternator was barely in the nut, literally 2 threads) It was never going to hold, but at least I could move the car for now, whilst I sourced new bolts. At this point, due to me pounding the alternator to get it in the position it needed to be, I figured it was best to test output. b
ks, I've broken the alternator! It's my own fault, but all that work now wasted again.Went to move the car to the drive, and what do you know, it won't start, and seems the bonnet won't open. I had to get a friend over to literally pull a leaver whilst I lifted the bonnet. Then jump the car, before seeing the dash light up like a christmas tree....I put this down to the alternator. When I got the car onto the drive, the bottom bolt on the alternator had come lose in 500meters of driving, made a note to loctite it back in place. At least it was nice weather...
New (used) alternator (3rd in 10 months) ordered on ebay for £25, the thing arrived without the bloody pulley. You may not know, but they come with a clutch pulley on them, so require a special tool, basically so you can get a tool through a socket, but also can't use a spanner as it's recessed. Most people will use an air impact gun, but I don't have one. I was going to go to a garage, but it's 8pm on Tuesday, so I doubt they'd be open. So, my breaker bar and a rubber mallet came into the game, some large hits and it's free! (My torque wrench is probably buggered though!) I swap the pulley and call it a day.
Saturday just gone, I got up early, set my tools out and set about it. Alternator on, belt on, via jubilee clip on tensioner and check everything is tight. Then hope the new alternator outputs enough voltage, before hoping the car works! Luckily it went smoothly, the belt too a bit of time, but I got it on. Fitted the longer bolt to the alternator too, with nylon nut to stop it coming undone and the alternator returned 14v+
New profile done, new wheels on the Z, clio has been lowered and spaced since the last one.
Eugh! After all that, I took it to the OH's last weekend and it seemed great (apart from usual 182 idle gremlins!). Rolled into my drive upon the return on 3 cylinders though. Damnit!
I ordered a OBDII BT dongle thing, but it was late, so decided to just order a new injector in the hope it was that. I had disconnected HT leads to ensure it was not them. I know it's CYL3, but that's it, so the injector is a gamble.
I'd also put some new spark plugs in my ebay basket, and I've owned it over a year now, so decided to do a service too. Sparks, oil filter, Oil, air filter (and injector!). So, this weekend is a mini service and hope the injector cures it. I may then buy the other 3, just so it's a fresh set.
But, the alternator didn't come off, and everything seems to be fine after a 50+ mile round trip, so if the injector fixes it, I'll be onto booking my next track day!
I ordered a OBDII BT dongle thing, but it was late, so decided to just order a new injector in the hope it was that. I had disconnected HT leads to ensure it was not them. I know it's CYL3, but that's it, so the injector is a gamble.
I'd also put some new spark plugs in my ebay basket, and I've owned it over a year now, so decided to do a service too. Sparks, oil filter, Oil, air filter (and injector!). So, this weekend is a mini service and hope the injector cures it. I may then buy the other 3, just so it's a fresh set.
But, the alternator didn't come off, and everything seems to be fine after a 50+ mile round trip, so if the injector fixes it, I'll be onto booking my next track day!
No comments 
Ah well, it's a good journal for me!
Injector fitted and service carried out with no problems. The problem came when I started it... still rough, So I left it. Next up was spark plugs, they were not the 'have to have' sparks, so I purchased the NGK ones it's meant to have, still rough!
After a bit of thought I decided it was down to the coilpack or HT leads, so I ordered both. Fitted (in the snow) and still rough. I then done some research and found I can check the resistance of the injectors to see if an other is broken. Turns out injector 4 is buggered too! 0.5 Ohms, the rest were 15 (which is what they are meant to be...). So I'll order an other injector and get it fitted. The coilpack and leads may have been wasted, but it's on 105k, so probably due.
To recap, since it being off the road on 29th December, I have done the following, costing over £300:-
Aux Belt
Belt Tensioner
Thermostat
Coolant change
New alternator brackets (2)
2nd hand Alternator
New nylon bolts for alternator brackets
New injector
Service
Spark plugs
Another new injector
It is also due a cambelt replacement, on these it's not easy. You also should do the dephaser and a few other things, parts run about £350, but apparently it's a tricky job (tight space) and also a bugger to time, even with locking tools (an other £80). To pay someone, it works out close to £700. I may leave it and see what happens!
Ah well, it's a good journal for me!Injector fitted and service carried out with no problems. The problem came when I started it... still rough, So I left it. Next up was spark plugs, they were not the 'have to have' sparks, so I purchased the NGK ones it's meant to have, still rough!
After a bit of thought I decided it was down to the coilpack or HT leads, so I ordered both. Fitted (in the snow) and still rough. I then done some research and found I can check the resistance of the injectors to see if an other is broken. Turns out injector 4 is buggered too! 0.5 Ohms, the rest were 15 (which is what they are meant to be...). So I'll order an other injector and get it fitted. The coilpack and leads may have been wasted, but it's on 105k, so probably due.
To recap, since it being off the road on 29th December, I have done the following, costing over £300:-
Aux Belt
Belt Tensioner
Thermostat
Coolant change
New alternator brackets (2)
2nd hand Alternator
New nylon bolts for alternator brackets
New injector
Service
Spark plugs
Another new injector
It is also due a cambelt replacement, on these it's not easy. You also should do the dephaser and a few other things, parts run about £350, but apparently it's a tricky job (tight space) and also a bugger to time, even with locking tools (an other £80). To pay someone, it works out close to £700. I may leave it and see what happens!
Ah, people, welcome!
It is very frustrating, it's just been one thing after an other. But, if this last injector sorts it, I hope to get a few track days booked before summer.
I am missing driving it, the Z just needs to much pace to have some fun in the twisties, whereas I can be ringing the clios neck and still not going to fast. Tempted to keep the 'semi slicks' on it over summer
It is very frustrating, it's just been one thing after an other. But, if this last injector sorts it, I hope to get a few track days booked before summer.
I am missing driving it, the Z just needs to much pace to have some fun in the twisties, whereas I can be ringing the clios neck and still not going to fast. Tempted to keep the 'semi slicks' on it over summer
I have videos, here is one from Mallory. I will note a few things, the cars I was following had been a nuance all day, this was toward the end of the day and you can see the line appearing, so the track was quick. But they struggled to let me past. the first corner was borderline 4th, so kept changing between 3rd and 4th
at 2:36 onwards, following the black 172, you'll see black clouds of smoke and hear bits hitting my car, it was his brakes disintergrating! As we were limited on time before dusk, I really didn't want to back off!
The ending of the video is when it all went wrong too, causing the last few posts of problems
Lastly, enjoy my friends greeting at the end
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1mA6mGMEik
at 2:36 onwards, following the black 172, you'll see black clouds of smoke and hear bits hitting my car, it was his brakes disintergrating! As we were limited on time before dusk, I really didn't want to back off!
The ending of the video is when it all went wrong too, causing the last few posts of problems
Lastly, enjoy my friends greeting at the end
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1mA6mGMEik
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