Megane Mk2 VVT Engine clatter

[big sarg]

Hi everyone,

I signed up tonight for some help with both my french cars i recently brought ( i must be mad i know)

I recently brought my missus a megane Mk2 1.6 vvt

At first all seemed well then after a few days it stopped starting first time and making horrific timing sounding like noises for the first 5 seconds or so.

Once the engine has started there are no problems with engine sounds, performance, noises or running at all.

I have looked on you tube and Google and found that it could be to do with the dephaser pulley.

The question i ask is how much should i be prepared to pay for a repair I've tried to contact the car sales place i brought it from and he says since its sold as seen there's nothing he is willing to do.

I think the previous owner knew about this as its literally just had all its belts and water pump and tentioners changed less that 300 miles ago.

Many thanks

Rich

[uncle buck]

The dephaser pulley is a common problem and I think it's pretty likely that's your problem.

You can get a genuine dephaser pulley for around £110 delivered from ebay.
Fitting it will mean the timing belt will have to be removed so this will be reflected in the labour price.

I've no idea what price you would be looking at to have the job done.


Cheers.

[big sarg]

Thanks for your reply do you know what would happen if I left it for a few weeks before changing it is it likely to completely destroy the valves or would it just clatter for a few seconds forever till it's changed

[uncle buck]

As far as I know the noise you hear is from the pulley not the valves so you aren't actually doing any damage to the engine when it makes the noise.

I would assume the pulley is designed so it's fail safe so I can't see a few weeks making any difference but you never know with Renault.


Take a look at this:

Really noisy Renault VVT pulley
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Cheers.

[big sarg]

Thanks guys I think I will buy a new pully and replace it after Xmas now,

I've changed the timing belts on these engines before but other than the camshaft and crank pin locking tool is there any other removel tool I need to remove the pulley or does it have to be removed in a certain way

[uncle buck]

I've never changed a belt or pulley on one of these but I don't think there is any special tool to remove it, just the nut that holds it.

I believe the pulley has no keyway and is just tightened to the camshaft....well that's what it says in this video.

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Cheers.

[Lighty]

The job is straight forward if you have done a cambelt on these engines before. The biggest issue I find is undoing the 16mm (head size) nuts that hold on the pulleys, as they are mega tight, I use a 1/2 " breaker bar, and it seems like the cam may snap sometimes, so holding it all whilst undoing is difficult.
None of the pulleys have key ways , you use the special setting bar in the other end of the cams THIS WILL NOT HOLD THEM WHILST YOU UNDO THE NUTS !!!!!. The vvt pulley has a Torx head "plug" in the end to cover the 16mm nut, and a bit of oil leaks out when you remove this plug.
As long as the cams and crank are held by the setting tools, you just fit all pulleys on and the belt, and bob,s your uncle.
Have fun, it's not a nice job.

[uncle buck]

So how do you hold the camshaft while undoing the pulley nut....does the cam have flats on it to hold it with a spanner or something?


Cheers.

[big sarg]

The cam has flats in it the other side for the locking tools to slot in but am thinking it might be better to put the locking tools in and crack the bolts off before I take the belt off so it transfers the pressure out evenly not though the 1 camshaft and locking tool but I'll figure something out when I get to do it, want it to warm up a bit first haha

[Lighty]

I usually just crack them off a little with the bar, whilst the cambelt is still fitted and hold the flywheel with a large screwdriver or bar, always think the belt is gonna slip before the nuts crack , but usually ok.

[uncle buck]

Just wondered if there was a special tool to hold the cam for pulley removal to save the stress on the belt.

@ big sarg,
Take note of Lightys post and don't use the cam timing locking tool to hold the cam while you undo the nut !


Cheers.