Timing Belt Clinic: Renault Clio 1.2 16v

Replacing the cambelt and water pump on a Renault Clio 1.2 16v petrol looks as if it will be complicated due to the right-hand engine mounting set-up. In fact, the job’s not too daunting at all, says Kim Henson.

The 2004 Renault Clio 1.2 16v hatchback brought into J&C Motors in Bournemouth was suffering from coolant loss, suspected to be from an ailing water pump, and it was believed the engine was still running on its original timing belt, well overdue for renewal.

For this model, it’s recommended the cambelt is renewed every five years or 74,000 miles, whichever comes first. The engine is regarded as an interference type, which means piston to valve contact is highly likely if the cambelt breaks. For other Renaults, it

is essential to check the manufacturer’s advice relating to the specific model, as mileages and time change periods vary.

With minor variations, the cambelt set-up on this car applies to Clios and other Renaults with similar engines from 1998 to 2008.

On this Clio, the water pump is driven by the cambelt, so it’s a good idea to renew both at the same time, even if the pump is not yet leaking. Doing both jobs together gives peace of mind and saves time in the long run, especially in view of the effort required to strip down components to reach the cambelt and water pump area.

Allow at least a full day to carry out the job, particularly when tackling it for the first time, although if things go well you might accomplish the work in less than half-a-day.

The main steps are as indicated in our photograph/caption sequence, but there are some extra points to note.

We deliberately tackled this job in the same way as a do-it-yourself mechanic, avoiding employing special tools and possibly different book methods that a professional mechanic might employ.

It is necessary to raise the front of the car and support it on axle stands, and to remove the right-hand front wheel. From within the wheelarch, the protective inner wing cover panel can then be detached, making it easier to access the cambelt/water pump areas.

For peace of mind, it is wise to install a complete camshaft belt kit, including a new tensioner assembly, rather than just the belt itself.