OwenBoy wrote:I have a few questions before I take it all apart...
~Is there a guide anywhere? I have a cheap ebay cd which is useless! I need Torque settings etc
Not legally no - Renault tech docs are intelectual property of Renault SAS and anyone found to be distributiing them in any form is in breach of copyright law. I know, sounds really scarey doesn't it but decent, genuine, up-to-date tech docs are rare online. I can get them
(Torque settings that is) for you from work though if you need them although generally common sense prevails. If you need a rough process guide though I can write one for you as I've done this service a few times now.
OwenBoy wrote:~Is it best to use the Renault parts? I now know to look for 3rd generation VVT and the core plugs
You can get away with using non-genuine timing belt kits without risking quality but with the depahsers they are Renault only parts i'm afraid
(I don't think i'd trust a non-gen unit TBH). Continental offer very good timing belt kits for around £90 retail which have everything you need in them though they can be had cheaper in the trade or on eBay. Same with water pumps... genuine are the prefered weapons of choice
(I've just bought 15 units in a bulk bankruptcy sale for £10 each) but aftermarket FAI or QH units are very good quality and can be had for less than Renault units which are only reboxed Federal Mogul parts anyhow.
OwenBoy wrote:~If I lock the camshaft with the kit can I simply unbolt and rebolt the VVT pulley?
Nearly but not quite - The "Lock set" you'll get will most likely only consist of a "cam setting bar" and a "crank setting pin". The setting bar will only hold the cams in the preset TDC position and it should NEVER
EVER be used to un-lock the cam pulley bolts as you will only bend the bar and/or snap the cam locating groove leaving you shafted! To unlock the pulleys
(Which you will have to do IF you're doing the job correctly) you need to imobilise the camshaft pulleys by using another tool that bolts to the block between the two pulleys but be sure to get the VVC variant and not the earlier version for non-dephaser setups
(This tool can be purchased on its own for around £40-55 from Sealey, Laser, Snap-On, AST, Etc). You will also need a 14mm male Hex to undo the dephaser cap which gives you access to the main securing bolt. Refitting the dephaser is simple; most units now come pre-locked but you will need to check this before belting it up... put it on the cam, pre-tighten and rotate it fully left or right until you hear it "Click". If you can't turn it don't worry or force it, its been pre-locked! Then all that's left is to note the position of the outer mark on the new unit which need to be at 12 O'Clock.
Replacing the dephaser isn't required by general process though there are a few tech notes floating about on the subject
(NT5259 being the main one) but it is good practise to do it if you can afford it as they're common problems and sods law say's yours will start to rattle or give starting problems after you've done the belt change. If you don't change it to save yourself £140+ be sure to check it for signs of movement when the setting bar is in place. Any serious movement = worn unit and needs replacing. The odd fraction of a degree is okay but the general rule is movement = change it.
Other tips - Deffo replace the water pump as worn units account for most failures commonly refered to as "Timing Belt Failure" on the K4M's as the bearing race either collapses or the bearing race just siezes and the driving sprocket either strips the timing belt of all teeth or the sprocket simply snaps off... either way you will bend valves! You should also look at replacing the aux belt and bearing unit which is available in a service kit from your local Renault parts dept. but it will add another £60+ to your parts bill
(You can get away without replacing the aux belt run IF you're sure the parts are sound though).
When you've done it turn the engine over by hand 4 or 8 times
(That's 4 or 8 turns of the crank BTW not hte cams... not wanting to teach your Gran to suck eggs but some people don't know this) and removing the plugs helps make this easier. Ensure the basic lock set can be reinserted after 4 or 8 turns and retime if not. If so, replace all covers and belts then re-start the engine.
Mick
