Renault installs a large number of the Clio II 1.6 16V engine, with differing engine displacement in their vehicles. When the timingbelts are changed, there are some mistakes that we see time and again that can have a negative effect on the belt drive. To ensure that this process goes as smoothly as possible, we have a few installation tips for mechanics.
Firstly, when a timing belt is changed, the tension pulley, the guide pulley and the water pump should also be replaced at the same time. Renault recommends a belt change every 100,000km for all models up to 1999, and every 120,000km for all later models, or for low mileages.
In order to do this, mechanics require a crankshaft locking pin (Renault tool code: MOT1489) and a camshaft alignment ruler (Renault tool code: MOT1496). The working time for the Clio is around two hours and 45minutes, the Mégane is three hours and 40 minutes, the Mégane Scénic is three hours and 50 minutes and the Laguna is two hours and 30 minutes.
Preparatory work
Identify the vehicle using the engine code on the engine block (below) and then disconnect the vehicle’s battery.
Removal
Drain the cooling water and support the engine. Then, remove the right engine mount first and then the ancillary units with drive belts (V-ribbed belts). Remove the plugs from the rear end of the camshaft and the plugs from the cylinder block (below) before turning the crankshaft to the right to the setting position.
The grooves in the camshafts must be aligned (below).
Note: The grooves are located below the top edge of the cylinder head.
Then, insert the locking pin into the cylinder block (below), making sure the crank web is up against the locking pin.
Then, apply the alignment ruler at the rear end of the camshafts (below). Block the flywheel using a large screwdriver or a suitable too,l and loosen the crankshaft belt pulley screw.
Note: The flywheel must be securely blocked, so that the locking pin does not break or become bent, or that the camshaft ruler or the camshaft itself is not damaged when loosening the crankshaft screw.
Now, remove the screw from the crankshaftbelt pulley and take the pulley off. Remove the top and bottom timing belt cover. Loosen the tension pulley and let the tension pulley come away from the belt (below).
Now, you can remove the tension pulley nut, the tension pulley, the guide pulley, the timing belt and the water pump.
Note: The crankshaft gear must not slip off the crankshaft.
Installation
Check whether the locking pin is inserted. The crankshaft must be up against the locking pin. The grooves in the camshafts must be aligned. Also, check whether the alignment ruler is correctly applied before installing the new water pump.
Note: Carefully clean the sealing surface between the engine block and water pump and remove any remaining seal (below).
Also, pay attention to the tightness of the bolt that holds the tension pulley in the water pump housing (below, Fig A).
Install the new guide pulley and tighten to 45Nm. Then, install the new tension pulley and tighten the nut to 7Nm for the time being.
Note: Make sure that the retainer clip to the rear side of the tension pulley correctly grips into the groove in the water pump housing (above, Fig B).
Remove the crankshaft gear and ungrease the end of the crankshaft. Reinstall the crankshaft gear. Fit the timing belt, so that it goes around towards the left, starting from the crankshaft gear. Make sure that the timing belt is tight on the load side.
Ungrease the crankshaft belt pulley and then install it. Measure the length of the crankshaft belt pulley screw – the maximum length must not exceed 49.1mm. If the screw is longer, then you must use a new one. Screw in the crankshaft belt pulley screw, but do not oil the new screw. Tighten the screw for the time being and leave a gap of 2-3mm between the contact surface of the screw and the crankshaft belt pulley.
Loosen the tension pulley nut. Turn the tension pulley to the right until the movable pointer is at the right stop using a 6mm hex key.
Note: The movable point must be 7-8mm behind the fixed pointer (below).
Tighten the tension pulley nut for the time-being; this has a tightening torque of 7Nm. Block the flywheel with a large screwdriver, and tighten the crankshaft belt pulley screw for the time being (tightening torque: 20Nm). Remove the locking pin and the alignment ruler before blocking the flywheel with a large screwdriver and tightening the crankshaft belt pulley screw by a further 120-150˚.
Turn the crankshaft two rotations to the right into the setting position – this is an extremely important step! If this isn’t done, the belt drive will soon start making noise due to insufficient tension. Insert the locking pin into the cylinder block, making sure the crank web is against the locking pin. Check whether you can easily apply the camshaft alignment ruler.
Lock the tension pulley using a 6mm hex key and loosen the tension pulley. Turn the tension pulley to the left until the pointer is aligned with the notch (below). Tighten the tension pulley nut to 27Nm and then remove the locking pin.
Turn the engine drive twice more, check the setting and adjust if necessary. Insert the plug by turning and insert new plugs at the end of the camshaft. Install the components in reverse order of removal, fill up the cooling water and vent the cooling system.
Record the replacement of the original ContiTech timing belt on the supplied sticker and affix it in the engine compartment (below).
Test run the engine or take the car for a test drive.
