Shed money Clio 172
Discussion
Cambs_Stuart said:
The SERV and airbag lights go on and off when you hit bumps in the road, I'm hoping there is "just" a dodgy connection.
Apart from the clonking, it feels really good.
Clonkings mostly likely the mounts and the dog bone is the most likely. I'd recommend getting another stock on but lots of of people get uprated jobies. If you want to be cheap just get some hard rubber and fill the mount or/and turn the rubber bush in it 90 degree. Personally I'd just go stock and accept its a wear item.Apart from the clonking, it feels really good.
As for the light it's either the wiring you seem to have fixed or the sensor under the seat or the seat rail sensor
Just back from the garage. A lot of the vibration and noise is due to up-rated engine mounts being fitted, which I didn't realise.
The exhaust is definitely blowing and fairly loose, so may be the cause of some of the clonking.
So, there is a new fitting kit and and set of hangers on the way from Renault to be fitted tomorrow.
The mechanics have also given the car a good once over and added some stuff to my to-do list, namely that the high level brake light doesn't work, and the rear middle seatbelt tensioner is a bit weak. other than that, it's got a clean bill of heath!
The exhaust is definitely blowing and fairly loose, so may be the cause of some of the clonking.
So, there is a new fitting kit and and set of hangers on the way from Renault to be fitted tomorrow.
The mechanics have also given the car a good once over and added some stuff to my to-do list, namely that the high level brake light doesn't work, and the rear middle seatbelt tensioner is a bit weak. other than that, it's got a clean bill of heath!
So, i've done nothing with the car, apart from drive it.
It's an utter hoot to drive. The suspension is crashy, it squeaks and clonks but the engine is fantastic, the steering precise and you can just throw it it corners.
My wife and children hate it, possibly to to the hardness of the suspension and my irresponsible driving style when I'm in it.
So, until today apart from buying a few parts my sum progress was buying a couple of door handles and soaking them in very hot water with some dishwasher tablets to remove the stickyness.
They now need painting.
However i was out for a drive and there was a sudden clonk, followed by a lot of very loud rattling.
The exhaust mounts had failed and the exhaust was now bouncing on the rear subframe.
The mid section mount was on the road:
And the rear had almost completely collapsed.
But some nice new ones from MIJ exhausts and the noise is now less unpleasant.
This was the first proper bit of DIY I've done on a car for over a year. I'd forgotten how satisfying it is when it goes as planned.
It's an utter hoot to drive. The suspension is crashy, it squeaks and clonks but the engine is fantastic, the steering precise and you can just throw it it corners.
My wife and children hate it, possibly to to the hardness of the suspension and my irresponsible driving style when I'm in it.
So, until today apart from buying a few parts my sum progress was buying a couple of door handles and soaking them in very hot water with some dishwasher tablets to remove the stickyness.
They now need painting.
However i was out for a drive and there was a sudden clonk, followed by a lot of very loud rattling.
The exhaust mounts had failed and the exhaust was now bouncing on the rear subframe.
The mid section mount was on the road:
And the rear had almost completely collapsed.
But some nice new ones from MIJ exhausts and the noise is now less unpleasant.
This was the first proper bit of DIY I've done on a car for over a year. I'd forgotten how satisfying it is when it goes as planned.
Great little car and offers some major smiles. I had one of these from new back in 2003 and then picked up another about 8 years later for £800 with only 42k on the clock. Was a little dented but mechanically sound.
Was planning to make it into a track car but it never happened so sold it on. I'd have another in a heartbeat!
Was planning to make it into a track car but it never happened so sold it on. I'd have another in a heartbeat!
Clio exhaust mounts are made of cheese!
Finally replaced mine with a poly bush last year, haven't notice any (more) vibration/harshness.
Replace that s
t cone filter with a V6 Espace one, it's cylindrical (there is also another option which I can't remember off the top of my head). I used to use an ITG filter in mine but swapped toma paper one last year with no ill effect.
Very happy with the BTB exhaust on mine, sounds lovely without being too obnoxious unlike many others I've heard.
Finally replaced mine with a poly bush last year, haven't notice any (more) vibration/harshness.
Replace that s
t cone filter with a V6 Espace one, it's cylindrical (there is also another option which I can't remember off the top of my head). I used to use an ITG filter in mine but swapped toma paper one last year with no ill effect. Very happy with the BTB exhaust on mine, sounds lovely without being too obnoxious unlike many others I've heard.
Still loving mine too - spent about £500 getting the front resprayed where my dad had had an altercation with his garden wall 
and a big key scratch on the bonnet 
and the rear valance tidied. Another chunk getting all the door dents sorted and the wheels go in for a refurb on Friday.
Still got no reversing lights, the UCH goes bonkers at the most inopportune moments and there is a definite clunk on full lock but by crikey it is so much fun to drive!
Put some new 'Cup172' B-pillar decals on at the weekend and now need to get it booked in for a full fluid change, service and get the stty French electrics sorted.
Damn thing owes me wayyyyyyyy more than it's worth but I really don't care
and a big key scratch on the bonnet and the rear valance tidied. Another chunk getting all the door dents sorted and the wheels go in for a refurb on Friday.Still got no reversing lights, the UCH goes bonkers at the most inopportune moments and there is a definite clunk on full lock but by crikey it is so much fun to drive!
Put some new 'Cup172' B-pillar decals on at the weekend and now need to get it booked in for a full fluid change, service and get the s
tty French electrics sorted.Damn thing owes me wayyyyyyyy more than it's worth but I really don't care
cheddar said:
Clonking 172's are a common problem usually fixed by loosening the engine mounts, yanking the engine forwards and re-tightening them.
That's not a procedure I'm familiar with, but the clonk does sound like a engine mount rather than arb/drop link or wishbone rattle. I'll have to give it a go. LordHaveMurci said:
Clio exhaust mounts are made of cheese!
Finally replaced mine with a poly bush last year, haven't notice any (more) vibration/harshness.
Replace that st cone filter with a V6 Espace one, it's cylindrical (there is also another option which I can't remember off the top of my head). I used to use an ITG filter in mine but swapped toma paper one last year with no ill effect.
Very happy with the BTB exhaust on mine, sounds lovely without being too obnoxious unlike many others I've heard.
I've got a standard airbox and ramair panel filter to go on. Hopefully now the kids are back at school I'll get some time to tinker. Finally replaced mine with a poly bush last year, haven't notice any (more) vibration/harshness.
Replace that s
t cone filter with a V6 Espace one, it's cylindrical (there is also another option which I can't remember off the top of my head). I used to use an ITG filter in mine but swapped toma paper one last year with no ill effect. Very happy with the BTB exhaust on mine, sounds lovely without being too obnoxious unlike many others I've heard.
Also, to be honest getting the suspension right is a higher priority.
Just had an enjoyable hour having a tinker with the clio.
First job, get rid of the lego dust caps.
Second job. The thumb grip had split, and was gettimg annoying. So i bought some heavy duty replacements.
The first was no problem, but the second appeared to be stuck on with tiger seal and took some effort.
The wheel feels much nicer now. Plus the new grips have a distinct "new car smell" aroma, which is nice.
First job, get rid of the lego dust caps.
Second job. The thumb grip had split, and was gettimg annoying. So i bought some heavy duty replacements.
The first was no problem, but the second appeared to be stuck on with tiger seal and took some effort.
The wheel feels much nicer now. Plus the new grips have a distinct "new car smell" aroma, which is nice.
Edited by Cambs_Stuart on Saturday 7th September 15:05
I also gave the headlights a quick restore as they were quite cloudy.
The photo doesn't really show how bad they are.
I had a bottle of this lying about that I'd used on subaru impreza headlights before.
So, i got my assistant to tape up the headlights, apply the gloop and polish off with a wool pad.
Previous experience tells me that once the UV protection is off the headlights they yellow/cloud quite quickly. Hopefully this will slow it down a bit.
I was very pleased with the results.
It's really lifted the appearance of the front of the car.
I gave them a coat of finishkare high temp paste wax and sat back to admire my work.
While i was under the bonnet, I tried to rock the engine and there is definitely more noise and movement than I'd like from the mounts, so I've ordered some OEM replacements.
The photo doesn't really show how bad they are.
I had a bottle of this lying about that I'd used on subaru impreza headlights before.
So, i got my assistant to tape up the headlights, apply the gloop and polish off with a wool pad.
Previous experience tells me that once the UV protection is off the headlights they yellow/cloud quite quickly. Hopefully this will slow it down a bit.
I was very pleased with the results.
It's really lifted the appearance of the front of the car.
I gave them a coat of finishkare high temp paste wax and sat back to admire my work.
While i was under the bonnet, I tried to rock the engine and there is definitely more noise and movement than I'd like from the mounts, so I've ordered some OEM replacements.
A bit more progress with the clio this morning.
A few people have mentioned that the clonks could be engine mount related, and the upper mount did look like it had seen better days, there was a gap all the way round the rubber insert.
So I thought I'd tackle this, the gearbox mount and remove the induction kit.
As the clio is very low, even getting underneath to remove the undertray, so i could then get a trolley jack on the sump took some lateral thinking.
I removed the intake, catch can, battery, and battery tray to get down to this:
The plan was the remove the bracket entirely, but i could not disconnect it. The bracket was loose and just the bush was attaching it to the car, but i could not get it out. So, with time running before i had to take the children out, i moved onto the upper engine mount.
This was a bit more straightforward, but jacking the engine up and down to get the parts to line up took more brain cells than it should have.
Not sure if I'm out of spannering practice, not used to french cars, watching too may youtubers that make it look easy or was just rushing too much.
Anyway, i got there in the end.
Then i simply fitted a replacement airbox, with a new ramair filter, and a fancy intake hose.
Thankfully, i did have all the brackets needed to fit it.
And the result? It still clonks and vibrates in exactly the same way.
A few people have mentioned that the clonks could be engine mount related, and the upper mount did look like it had seen better days, there was a gap all the way round the rubber insert.
So I thought I'd tackle this, the gearbox mount and remove the induction kit.
As the clio is very low, even getting underneath to remove the undertray, so i could then get a trolley jack on the sump took some lateral thinking.
I removed the intake, catch can, battery, and battery tray to get down to this:
The plan was the remove the bracket entirely, but i could not disconnect it. The bracket was loose and just the bush was attaching it to the car, but i could not get it out. So, with time running before i had to take the children out, i moved onto the upper engine mount.
This was a bit more straightforward, but jacking the engine up and down to get the parts to line up took more brain cells than it should have.
Not sure if I'm out of spannering practice, not used to french cars, watching too may youtubers that make it look easy or was just rushing too much.
Anyway, i got there in the end.
Then i simply fitted a replacement airbox, with a new ramair filter, and a fancy intake hose.
Thankfully, i did have all the brackets needed to fit it.
And the result? It still clonks and vibrates in exactly the same way.
Edited by Cambs_Stuart on Saturday 14th September 20:51
So, frustrating morning with the clio.
I finally found someone on Facebook selling some suspension, so i was looking forward to fitting it and getting rid of this cheap low stuff on at the moment.
Sadly, what turned up was rusty, with the coating on the springs corroded all the way through and one top mount seized in place. And obviously, the FB seller is not being helpful.
Buy cheap. Buy twice.
I finally found someone on Facebook selling some suspension, so i was looking forward to fitting it and getting rid of this cheap low stuff on at the moment.
Sadly, what turned up was rusty, with the coating on the springs corroded all the way through and one top mount seized in place. And obviously, the FB seller is not being helpful.
Buy cheap. Buy twice.
Good if frustrating progress, keep ploughing on mate!
If you have a dodgy UCH then I'd recommend picking up the barrel transponder/UCH/ECU as a set from eBay. All you need to do is check your version on the ECU+UCH and match them to your new set.
It's easy to fit and cheap enough, swap the blade between keys to avoid fiddling with the barrels on the car.
If you have a dodgy UCH then I'd recommend picking up the barrel transponder/UCH/ECU as a set from eBay. All you need to do is check your version on the ECU+UCH and match them to your new set.
It's easy to fit and cheap enough, swap the blade between keys to avoid fiddling with the barrels on the car.
Krikkit said:
Good if frustrating progress, keep ploughing on mate!
If you have a dodgy UCH then I'd recommend picking up the barrel transponder/UCH/ECU as a set from eBay. All you need to do is check your version on the ECU+UCH and match them to your new set.
It's easy to fit and cheap enough, swap the blade between keys to avoid fiddling with the barrels on the car.
Thanks. Its always annoying when the time you've set aside to work on the car is swallowed up by trying to shift a seized nut. I had the top mount sitting in a bath of oil for hours and it still wouldn't shift. I broke an allen key working on it. If you have a dodgy UCH then I'd recommend picking up the barrel transponder/UCH/ECU as a set from eBay. All you need to do is check your version on the ECU+UCH and match them to your new set.
It's easy to fit and cheap enough, swap the blade between keys to avoid fiddling with the barrels on the car.
To be honest, I'd not heard of a UCH until you mentioned it, but I'll keep an eye out for electrical gremlins.
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