HELPFUL TIPS

Before dismantling anything, disconnect the car’s battery.

Store all nuts, bolts, clips, etc. in separate, labelled containers so that you can tell at once where they have come from when the time comes for reassembly.

Rotate the engine ONLY in the normal direction of rotation when running (ie, clockwise when viewed from the right-hand side of the vehicle) and never in the opposite direction. Note: If the spark plugs are removed, eliminating compression, it is easier to rotate the engine.

When releasing/tightening the crankshaft pulley bolt, the engine can be prevented from rotating by locking the flywheel using a large flat-blade screwdriver or long bar, but take care that it doesn’t slip.

Avoid turning the crankshaft and/or camshaft while the cambelt is removed.

NEVER use the cam sprockets to rotate the engine. The cambelt links the camshaft and crankshaft sprockets with a tensioner assembly towards the top of the rearmost belt run, with the water pump positioned halfway down the belt run towards the front of the engine. Normal direction of rotation of the engine and the cambelt is clockwise when viewed from the right-hand side of the car. Before removing the water pump, place a bowl underneath the car to catch the coolant as it escapes; dispose of it in an environmentally-friendly manner. On reassembly, apply torque settings as recommended by Renault. These vary according to the vehicle model, so refer to the manual specific to your particular car. Note that, on completion of the job and having refilled the cooling system with antifreeze, the system needs to be bled of air. There’s a Schrader valve-type bleed point at the air filter end of the cylinderhead, underneath the filter housing.