Terence's Clio 197 Cup GW - Progress Blog

[terencelyl7411]

Greeting to you all in this forum, I'm Terence from Hong Kong.

Been getting this Clio 197 half year and I would like to share my daily maintenance / detailing stuff here.
Personal goal is to maintain the stock outlook and slightly enhance the performance.
I'm very satisfied with the power but the throttle response could be improved.
As for handling, the cup suspension is supporting well, i guess no change needed at this moment.

I'm also uploading photos & updates on my instagram: cu_898 <- please check that out and follow.
Apologize for any poor English up front.

Few pics to introduce:-

 

[terencelyl7411]

Currently running with:
OZ SuperTurismo GT 7.5J 17" w/ BS RE71R

Stock RS Brembo + Ferodo DS2500
The pad is braking very nice but it has sooooo much dust....
Not sure if i should change another pads.

 

[terencelyl7411]

Gearbox refurbishment were done back in April 2020
Crunching sound were heard during 4 > 3 downshift, couldn't avoid no matter double clutching or whatsoever.

Bought a set of synchronizer for 3 & 4 gear for replacement


Start working



The garage broke my lower pivot so i bought the whole lower suspension arm.


And few days later the garage told me they need the synchonizer assembly (include the "gear gate lever?" too) so i need another purchase...


and finally everything done
Since all the Clio 3 in Hong Kong are imported, I have deep trouble on purchasing parts in Hong Kong.
No matter on searching parts number, buying parts, delivery cost, etc...
Keeping it running isn't very easy, only the above gearbox works costing me around 1500euro..

 

[terencelyl7411]

Like most of the 197 owner, I resprayed the front grill too

Degreasing at first


3 coat of primers


And 3 coats of Semi-Gloss Black



Putting it back

 

[Sean197]

Welcome

 

[Beany]

Welcome aboard... nice looking car

 

[massivewangers]

Welcome! I love seeing where these cars pop up. Do you know how many there are in Hong Kong?

 

[terencelyl7411]

Welcome

Hello Sean

Welcome aboard... nice looking car

Thanks Beany

Welcome! I love seeing where these cars pop up. Do you know how many there are in Hong Kong?

There are 6 numbers of 197 in Hong Kong, one totaled.
Around 15-20 RS200.

 

[terencelyl7411]

I recalled a guy's word: Renault is rattle, just stick with it / turn louder radio
and i'm not happy with it and starting to rectify it.

I start sticking velcro tape all around the interior
included A-pillar's edges, side mirror interior cover, centre radio display, centre console, glove box, instrument gauge trim and etc.




Sorry for not taking pictures for all places, let me know if you guys need any help on rectifying these.
I'm much happier after 3 weeks of sticking velcro and insulation tapes, the car are much more quiet now.

 

[terencelyl7411]

Somehow i'm bored and went to auto shop for a look.
and pop up with idea to clean up the throttle.
sounds great huh?

So i bought this Gunk throttle cleaner.

Dirt buildup around the butterfly valve (Red arrow)

After cleaning


A nightmare was happened after i sprayed and wiped, the engine can't start.
I turned the ignition for almost 3 sec, the starter keep running but it can't fire up the engine.
But finally i added few footstep to open the throttle and started the car, really scare my shxt out.
Since the throttle are facing upward, I think some of the cleaner may flowed into the engine and causing this.

But the throttle response was so much better after cleaning, especially on low rev.
I'm happy with this!

 

[terencelyl7411]

I bought a set of maintenance kit from ebay which includes air filter, cabin filter, oil filter, fuel filter and spark plugs.

Some photos when i replace the plugs.


Could anyone help? Why there are some rust on the plug 4?
I dont see any rust inside the plug hole / coil pack.



After all changing the new plugs improved a lot on low-rev torque!!
Cheers~

 

[terencelyl7411]

Some photos to share

 

[suj]

I bought a set of maintenance kit from ebay which includes air filter, cabin filter, oil filter, fuel filter and spark plugs.

Some photos when i replace the plugs.
View attachment 141014 View attachment 141015
View attachment 141016 View attachment 141017
Could anyone help? Why there are some rust on the plug 4?
I dont see any rust inside the plug hole / coil pack.

View attachment 141018

After all changing the new plugs improved a lot on low-rev torque!!
Cheers~

Have you numbered 1-4 from left to right? (Renault number them the opposite, 1 is right, 4 is left, so cylinder 1 is from the gearbox end).

Have a look at the washer jets, the pipework sits above that kind of area and can leak and allow water in which pools at the bottom of the sparkplug.

 

[terencelyl7411]

Have you numbered 1-4 from left to right? (Renault number them the opposite, 1 is right, 4 is left, so cylinder 1 is from the gearbox end).

Have a look at the washer jets, the pipework sits above that kind of area and can leak and allow water in which pools at the bottom of the sparkplug.

I was numbering like this:-


The one rusted is closest to the throttle one.
I checked the sprayer, no damage on it.

 

[suj]

Yes so Renault number them the opposite (for future reference).

Try putting some cardboard over the engine, close the bonnet and use the washers and see if it does spray out on top?
If no difference and still no leak, just monitor it, might be previous water that got in maybe?