VVT and cam retiming

[Spooky]

I have a Clio 172, well, my missus has.

The car goes well but I have a couple of issues and ideas I want to investigate.

When the car is sat idling, it sounds a bit top end rattly, like something is not quite tightened up. Any way, I've had a few people look at it, or hear it and its been suggested the VVT sprocket is buggered.

Is it worth me rectifying this when I split the engine for the cambelt change ?

I know it adds to performance and driveability but can I lock it out and run it without the vvt ?

If I do lock it out, can I recalibrate the cams to compensate ?

Has any one done the above ?

[paul b]

YES,,,,replace it when the timing belt is being done...

you cannot lock the cam as such, would need a new sprocket and for the gains of having VVT its not worth it....you either lose top end power or fail sadly on very poor idle and gutless upto 3000rpm, (in comparison to normal)

it works from oil pressure which is why they seem rattly when worn...

[Spooky]

Well, I want to keep everything standard where possible.

I've just heard people mention locking it out and retiming the cams...hmm......

I've heard other 172s at idle and they have that same sort of sound, its quite a noisy device!

I changed the oil a few times since I've had the car, gone with Renault recommended fluids obviously

I just wanted to get an idea of what was involved in what I was saying...I don't want it dying on me at ND

[D4WNO]

For someone that knows that they're doing, it shuld only take around an hour to fix, but it must be fully timed up on the car. I only know this because Adam is having it done one one of his cars. If you don't know what you're doing yourself, it can be quite expensive to pay someone else to do it for you.

[Spooky]

Err thanks...

[D4WNO]

What, I was trying to help?

[Adey aka Ewok]

your looking at alot longer on a clio, no space like there is on a 200sx

[Spooky]

Paul, how much will Renault sting me for the sprocket ?

Infact, do you mind sticking up a picture of the top end of the engine in dialogys form please for printage purposes ?

[f0xy]

Its around £110 from renault, called the dephaser pulley...

Its easily doable in the engine bay, not a biggy at all, done it many times...Il post some pics now give me a minute...

[Spooky]

I'll get it cheaper than that from my parts bloke

Pics would be good

I like the word sprocket, doesn't get used enough

[f0xy]

If you are going to attempt it, I wouldnt even try without the renault locking tools, as the timing has to be spot on. The camshafts need locking from the flywheel end, then the pulleys need locking as they move when tensioning if they are not locked...and also obviously the crank needs locking with the pin...


^Camshaft Locking Tool in the end


^Pulley Locking Tool fitted

It is possible to remove the VVT and use an exhaust pulley (iirc) as the inlet, but im unsure how the cams could be timed up any different as the camshaft locking tool would not slot in the end to lock everything to allow you to tighten the pullies up!

My pictures are in a Mk1 clio engine bay, but IMO the mk2 has more room, I removed some cams from a 172 Ph2 and there was plenty of room..

I have tons of pics of the dephaser end, but there isnt much to it really. Just the allen key seal/cap, then a 18mm bolt underneath...If your going to do it you may aswell order the seal kit from renault too for 20odd quid, includes new cam seals and new bolts/nuts for the pullies

[Spooky]

Awesome

Luckily enough, I have access to all the jigs I need to do the belts/pulleys so it should be plain sailing......

[f0xy]

Nice one

You could literally crack the pullies off, de-tension, remove belt from the top two, swap dephaser, re-fit belt, re-tension then tighten pullies up and check timing....

No need to remove the rocker cover or anything else really IMO. Well, thats unless you are doing a cambelt/tensioner/idler change too

[Spooky]

I'm replacing the belt/tensioners and pulleys. They don't look like they been touched since it has left the factory plus I think it's due anyway.

If I can get hold of the bits I need, I'll be losing the air con too

[Matt Cole]

Is the belt and pulley kit etc the same as the meg 225?? Reason i ask is i need to change mine and it all looks similar?

Wheres Paul B?

[paul b]

here I am......LOL

spooky, PM your details and i'll take a look...

will look into 225 as soon as i get 5 minutes..

[paul b]

VARIATOR CAM SPROCKET 8200782671 114.00+
TIMING BELT KIT 7701476674 142.26+
HEAD BUNG 7700106271 7.00
HEAD BUNG 7700274026 4.00

this is for the 172 , 2000 year....

[Spooky]

VARIATOR CAM SPROCKET 8200782671 114.00+
TIMING BELT KIT 7701476674 142.26+
HEAD BUNG 7700106271 7.00
HEAD BUNG 7700274026 4.00

this is for the 172 , 2000 year....

I brought the the cambelt kit for less than half price...bit of goes a LONG way ...

Going to get ze other bits ordered up now, thanks Mr B...

[paul b]

Matt....

NONE of the part numbers are the same on a 225...belt, pulley, variator....

is this a separate job i need to be on another thread with...LOL

[paul b]

I only post the price for reference as a dealer RRP........

these are NOT the prices I sell at or the choice of aftermarket parts available...

[Spooky]

paul, any chance of some blown out pics of those parts dude...forget Matt, im more important...hang on, hes a big lad...you carry on...

[paul b]

i popped it in dialogys , as requested.....

,

https://www.rtoc.org/files/?path=Renault Diaolgy/Renault Megane/Engine/Engine Components/

[Spooky]

super...

[Matt Cole]

lol Ok sorry for the thread hi jack. Ok thanks Paul. Could i trouble you for the 225 part no's and guide price when you get 5 mins.

I'll sit down when your ready with the prices!

[paul b]

well, not bad Matt

https://www.rtoc.org/boards/showthread.php?t=8749

[Matt Cole]

Ive, thanked you in the other thread sir Paul!! On another note seen as spooky has been dealt with, heres the clearence i have with the engine in situ:




Can it be done do we think?

[Andrew Cooke]

Ive, thanked you in the other thread sir Paul!! On another note seen as spooky has been dealt with, heres the clearence i have with the engine in situ:




Can it be done do we think?

you lucky, lucky *******

[Matt Cole]

you lucky, lucky *******

What you mean Andrew? Obviously the covers do come off!!

[paul b]

Ive, thanked you in the other thread sir Paul!! On another note seen as spooky has been dealt with, heres the clearence i have with the engine in situ:




Can it be done do we think?

daily occurence now......LOL....they get no better........

is it done yet????

[Andrew Cooke]

What you mean Andrew? Obviously the covers do come off!!

all that space to work in, mine's half under the dashboard

[Matt Cole]

daily occurence now......LOL....they get no better........

is it done yet????

Ho if only! I'm trying to convince myself there is room to do it with the engine in situ. I can get to most things but it is tight.

[Matt Cole]

all that space to work in, mine's half under the dashboard

Ah get what you mean! ha yeah iv'e got to be thankfull for what i got really!!