Shed money Clio 172
Discussion
Spinakerr said:
Power steering fluid never really gets changed unless some part of the system is coming off the car for repair - but as with 'sealed for life' gearboxes, a fluid change is always going to be appreciated by the moving bits!
Good stuff, and hope the track days are continuing to be enjoyable - could this actually be a case of cost-conscious trackday practical ownership? On PH?
Unfortunately I wasted all the money I saved in lockdown on a new kitchen, so it's going to continue to be a budget conscious thread!Good stuff, and hope the track days are continuing to be enjoyable - could this actually be a case of cost-conscious trackday practical ownership? On PH?
I've not managed a trackday for a while, I need to book one, preferably with some MX5s and clios for company.
Cambs_Stuart said:
I am genuinely surprised at the difference I can feel with the redline MTL gearbox oil. The old oil was only 6 months, 2500 miles (and three trackdays) old, and looked in really good condition when it came out.
But the Gearbox is quieter, smoother, and the action is nicer too. It's a shame the gearbox in the legacy is full of new Motul. If I could go back in time I'd definitely pay the extra and put redline in that too.
Always found frequent oil changes to be a winner with jc5s.But the Gearbox is quieter, smoother, and the action is nicer too. It's a shame the gearbox in the legacy is full of new Motul. If I could go back in time I'd definitely pay the extra and put redline in that too.
I done my last track car frequently and managed 2 full seasons without the slightest hint of an issue. The gearbox was then removed and sold.
Power steering seems to be a hit or a miss for me, probably due to knockhill being so cold all the time it keeps it cool 😂
Regardless I’ve removed it the last few times and prefer the car on track without it. Worth thinking about
geraintthomas said:
Just come back from a track day at Llandow. I drive an MX-5 NC and you'd expect to see lots (there's normally 2-3), but the majority of cars are normally Clio's. I can certainly see why. Yours is lovely!
Thank you very much. It's rattly, loud and rough around the edges, but i really like it. Some of my favourite on track experiences in the clio have been with MX5s, i normally try to seek them out in the paddock on a track day.
I've been saying for ages that I need to do some rust treatment, I've taken advantage of the nice autumn weather to give some bits a clean up.
This section at the front of the rear arch was by far the worst.
So following a process I've copied from spinakerr, i used a finger sander to get back to bare metal, treated the area with two coats of bilt hamber DEOX C, left to dry for 24 hours them hammerite direct to rust on top on that, and waxoil on top of that.
Looks much better:
I've also treated all the jack points in the same way, but they don't look as neat.
This section at the front of the rear arch was by far the worst.
So following a process I've copied from spinakerr, i used a finger sander to get back to bare metal, treated the area with two coats of bilt hamber DEOX C, left to dry for 24 hours them hammerite direct to rust on top on that, and waxoil on top of that.
Looks much better:
I've also treated all the jack points in the same way, but they don't look as neat.
Edited by Cambs_Stuart on Friday 15th October 13:18
I had a fantastic time in the clio yesterday.
A track day at snetterton in glorious sunshine. Perfect weather, a really good group of people in the paddock, a great mix of cars and the clio aquitted itself perfectly.
It might have been the lower temperatures, or the fresh PS fluid i fitted a few weeks ago, but there was no re-occurance of the slight overflow i had at cadwell.
Despite the day be cut short by a bad accident, i still managed over 200 miles on track.
This little car is my favourite.
A track day at snetterton in glorious sunshine. Perfect weather, a really good group of people in the paddock, a great mix of cars and the clio aquitted itself perfectly.
It might have been the lower temperatures, or the fresh PS fluid i fitted a few weeks ago, but there was no re-occurance of the slight overflow i had at cadwell.
Despite the day be cut short by a bad accident, i still managed over 200 miles on track.
This little car is my favourite.
With the Legacy off the road for various reasons, the clio is doing even more of it's share of family duties. It's a great town car: it doesn't fill the road like to many vehicles, which makes avoiding potholes and cyclists much easier. Plus it's nippy and fun.
Speaking of fun, i had another track day at Bedford, and had a fantastic time. Really good atmosphere in the pits, loads of clios and MX5s in attendance, the sun shone, the rain stayed away and a good time had by all.
Since fitting the Pads, I've now done two full days, and an evening at Snetterton, two days at Cadwell and one day at Bedford. Checking my brakes at the weekend, the PFC097 pads have lasted brilliantly, as well as providing fantastic stopping performance on track.
So, Frayz was definitely right about these:
Speaking of fun, i had another track day at Bedford, and had a fantastic time. Really good atmosphere in the pits, loads of clios and MX5s in attendance, the sun shone, the rain stayed away and a good time had by all.
Since fitting the Pads, I've now done two full days, and an evening at Snetterton, two days at Cadwell and one day at Bedford. Checking my brakes at the weekend, the PFC097 pads have lasted brilliantly, as well as providing fantastic stopping performance on track.
So, Frayz was definitely right about these:
Edited by Cambs_Stuart on Monday 29th November 10:59
Having spent most of my car time on the legacy (plus catching covid) the clio has been a bit neglected.
So with it being warm enough to be crawling around on the drive I thought I'd show the little baguette some love and change the oil again.
The magnetic sump plug has attracted no swarf at all, which given the age of the engine and the amount of track time it's done, I'm pleased about.
So with it being warm enough to be crawling around on the drive I thought I'd show the little baguette some love and change the oil again.
The magnetic sump plug has attracted no swarf at all, which given the age of the engine and the amount of track time it's done, I'm pleased about.
Enjoyed reading this.
I’m a big fan of the 172/182; came close to buying a 182 FF with cup packs but ended up with a 325ti instead. Sometimes I really wish I’d bought the 182.
A family member had a couple and loved them (we had a friend who worked at Renault so got crazy friends and family discounts). On a B road they are an absolute hoot.
If he had more parking room, I’d live on buy one for s
ts and giggles.
I’m a big fan of the 172/182; came close to buying a 182 FF with cup packs but ended up with a 325ti instead. Sometimes I really wish I’d bought the 182.
A family member had a couple and loved them (we had a friend who worked at Renault so got crazy friends and family discounts). On a B road they are an absolute hoot.
If he had more parking room, I’d live on buy one for s
ts and giggles.Thanks, I've also quite fancied a go in a 325ti manual. It's another car of a disappearing breed.
As for future plans. There's not much that needs doing to the clio. It appears to be slowly dripping oil, not enough to be a concern that is in the "they all do that sir" clio territory.
The exhaust was fairly new when i got it, but a very cheap one. I've never been happy with how it hangs, and it's starting to corrode so i might try to find a silenced Ktech stealth.
I'd like to chase down some cabin rattles and add some sound deadening, just to make it a but more relaxing on the rare occasions when i commute.
I've got no more track time booked. Last lockdown lots of TDOs were desperate for cash so there were a lot of very good offers on vouchers; this winter prices have remained a lot firmer.
Having said that, I've made a few friends at tracks in the last couple of years and we're planning to meet at snetterton in Feb.
As for future plans. There's not much that needs doing to the clio. It appears to be slowly dripping oil, not enough to be a concern that is in the "they all do that sir" clio territory.
The exhaust was fairly new when i got it, but a very cheap one. I've never been happy with how it hangs, and it's starting to corrode so i might try to find a silenced Ktech stealth.
I'd like to chase down some cabin rattles and add some sound deadening, just to make it a but more relaxing on the rare occasions when i commute.
I've got no more track time booked. Last lockdown lots of TDOs were desperate for cash so there were a lot of very good offers on vouchers; this winter prices have remained a lot firmer.
Having said that, I've made a few friends at tracks in the last couple of years and we're planning to meet at snetterton in Feb.
I've just fitted a second hand ktech stealth exhaust to the clio.
And I'm never, ever going to try to fit another used exhaust, by myself, on the driveway in the cold and pouring rain.
Anyway. The exhaust was used, a bit tatty, but in fundamentally good shape. The flange that attaches to the cat had some surface rust so it got a once over with a sander to try to get a sealing surface.
The old exhaust wasn't that old when i got the car, but the fastners holding it on were rusted solid, so rather than mess about they just got snapped off and hammered out.
Comparing the two, the ktech is straighter, wider and lighter.
However, this backbox is unpleasantly heavy when you're trying to manoeuvre it into place under the car by yourself. In the rain.
Anyway, lesson leared and it's on. It's also louder than i thought it was going to be. I dread to think what one with a straight/unresonated center sounds like.
I also managed to find an undertray with the access hole cover in place, so that went on while the car was in the air.
After all the swearing i thought I'd polish the headlights as a nice easy, calming treat.
And I'm never, ever going to try to fit another used exhaust, by myself, on the driveway in the cold and pouring rain.
Anyway. The exhaust was used, a bit tatty, but in fundamentally good shape. The flange that attaches to the cat had some surface rust so it got a once over with a sander to try to get a sealing surface.
The old exhaust wasn't that old when i got the car, but the fastners holding it on were rusted solid, so rather than mess about they just got snapped off and hammered out.
Comparing the two, the ktech is straighter, wider and lighter.
However, this backbox is unpleasantly heavy when you're trying to manoeuvre it into place under the car by yourself. In the rain.
Anyway, lesson leared and it's on. It's also louder than i thought it was going to be. I dread to think what one with a straight/unresonated center sounds like.
I also managed to find an undertray with the access hole cover in place, so that went on while the car was in the air.
After all the swearing i thought I'd polish the headlights as a nice easy, calming treat.
Edited by Cambs_Stuart on Sunday 20th February 17:29
Just had (another) fantastic track day in the clio, back at snetterton. It was faultless yet again. As a friend put it, you've turned up in the cheapest car, had the most time on track, the most fun and the fewest issues.
When i arrived at Snetterton the pit area was full of very expensive machinery plus some liveried race cars and my heart sank. I assumed I'd spend the entire day watching my mirrors and moving out of the way. But i found other lower powered cars to have fun with espcially as the afternoon went on and more red flags came out (why is there always so many red flags after lunch? What do people eat?).
A 1930s SS100 race car dumped a load of fluid just before the Agostini corner which made the entrance to that a bit tricky and a few cars span as a result.
The only issue is the new exhaust. It sounds great bumbling around town and awesome at full throttle. But at a steady 70mph it's a horrible, droning, endurance test. I'm loathe to put the old exhaust back on, so i think the next thing to do will be some sound deadening.
When i arrived at Snetterton the pit area was full of very expensive machinery plus some liveried race cars and my heart sank. I assumed I'd spend the entire day watching my mirrors and moving out of the way. But i found other lower powered cars to have fun with espcially as the afternoon went on and more red flags came out (why is there always so many red flags after lunch? What do people eat?).
A 1930s SS100 race car dumped a load of fluid just before the Agostini corner which made the entrance to that a bit tricky and a few cars span as a result.
The only issue is the new exhaust. It sounds great bumbling around town and awesome at full throttle. But at a steady 70mph it's a horrible, droning, endurance test. I'm loathe to put the old exhaust back on, so i think the next thing to do will be some sound deadening.
Cambs_Stuart said:
I've been saying for ages that I need to do some rust treatment, I've taken advantage of the nice autumn weather to give some bits a clean up.
This section at the front of the rear arch was by far the worst.
So following a process I've copied from spinakerr, i used a finger sander to get back to bare metal, treated the area with two coats of bilt hamber DEOX C, left to dry for 24 hours them hammerite direct to rust on top on that, and waxoil on top of that.
Looks much better:
I've also treated all the jack points in the same way, but they don't look as neat.
You may be aware already, but on the rust front if your rear arch - sill looked like that, you might want to check behind the rear door cards. Shine a torch down there and check for rust/holes, they rot from the inside out. Might be worth some rust prevention down there to try and slow the spread. I had a phase 1 172 which looked fine on the outside, but had holes from the inside!This section at the front of the rear arch was by far the worst.
So following a process I've copied from spinakerr, i used a finger sander to get back to bare metal, treated the area with two coats of bilt hamber DEOX C, left to dry for 24 hours them hammerite direct to rust on top on that, and waxoil on top of that.
Looks much better:
I've also treated all the jack points in the same way, but they don't look as neat.
Edited by Cambs_Stuart on Friday 15th October 13:18
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