R20 TS Resto thread - UPDATE 20/10/16 Dead Fuego makes good organ donor!

[doubleyeller]

Hi Folks, I have been investigating the lack of the spark in the Renault today. The news is not good..........

Having tried every trick we know, we decided to strip the engine down.



And all became horrifyingly clear:



but the Valves might not be damaged, there is no sign of trouble looking at the spacers



And all the pulleys turn freely; none of them are on the piss either





SO WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

Anyone know if this is an interference engine? We could try a new cambelt at £30, just take our chances..........but lets face it, there's bound to be valve damage of some kind. New Engine? Anyone know of one in good nick? I understand these engines went in a number of different cars and vans, but god knows which....................

[sierraman]

You've nothing to lose by timing it back up and putting a new belt on. If it's snapped on turning the engine over you might be ok. If it's snapped at bollock flat out you won't.

[outlaw118]

^^^WHS^^^

 

I'm no expert, more "bloke in the pub" but I'd certainly wang a belt on and keep 'em crossed.

[Dick Cheeseburger]

As above, can't help apart from suggesting try a new belt anyway. Shame that the outcome is the least desirable one. Fingers crossed the engine is non-interference...

[Craig the Princess]

I'd put a new belt on but try turning it over by hand when it is on.

 

For £30 is isn't worth scraping the engine.

[doubleyeller]

Yeah thanks for the advice so far. In slightly brighter (but also fairly insignificant) news, I have managed to get the chrome trim back on the offside. Isn't it amazing how much smarter it makes it look though?

 

 

 

[sierraman]

I'd consider asking about for the use of a borescope if you are worried about valve damage. Will quickly rule out a bent valve or a twatted piston. I'd also check the distributor end of things, if the timings badly slipped and someone's attempted to turn the engine over.

[doubleyeller]

Thanks, I'll see what the guys say. I guess it could be that the timing has slipped in 26 years of none use, who knows.......

[sierraman]

The timing wouldn't necessarily slip but a perished belt might jump a cog or two on turning over, thus giving the trouble you've had. Always start at the cheapest option. As example I've had a problem recent with the fuel pump blowing fuses, start with relay, then the filter, then check the wiring then at last resort swap the pump.

[Bren]

New belt - plugs removed- turn over by hand.

[Des]

You could try parking the crank so all pistons are halfway down the bores, then turn the cam and look at the valve clearances, that would show up very bent valves, or airline stuffed in the plughole see if you hear them whistle, or even pushing them open with a big screwdriver and letting them snap shut to check they all make that nice chank sound rather than a dull thud.

[Parky]

I think your engine will be the "J" type engine that Renault shared with Peugeot and Citroen. Confusingly also called a Douvrin engine despite that name usually being reserved for the V6 shared with Peugeot and Volvo.

 

A quick google didn't seem to bring anything up about whether this engine would be an interference or not so I think I would get another belt and put that on to see if works or not. Maybe buy two, one to check if the engine works and a second one for when you realise the tensioner are all screwed and it has to all come apart again

[Sudsprint]

As someone who knows sod all about engines (despite owning old cars all my life) I wish you well with that lovely Renault 20. 

 

But I can at least empathise with the 'putting back on the chrome trim' bit of this thread.

[the judge]

New belt. You will need one anyway,no matter what. Might be that the pushrods took the "bounce"

[RayMK]

I agree with previous posters.  After fitting the new belt and turning the engine by hand, assuming it turns freely, do a compression test for additional peace of mind.  Good luck.  Most of these rusted away decades ago.  Why are Renaults looking so attractive again?  Must be all this Laguna propaganda (although a R20 is nicer).

[Eric]

This has happened to one of my 2-litre R20s..

I'm afraid to say I had the valves bent, when I took the head of...the belt broke on idle.

[doubleyeller]

Thanks for the advice people. I get that the general consensus of opinion is to try a new belt first. Failing that what's best? Replace valves and skim head etc, or just drop in a new engine (can I get one?)

[Parky]

Not many Renaults used the same engine, big cars were never really their raison d'être (see what I did there, adding in a little je ne sais quois)

 

However the 18, 21, 25, and Fuego used a 2l motor so they may be exactly the same. There is a 25 breaking on the bay at present so could be a source of parts or an entire motor.

 

Try a new belt first, you might be lucky and only have a couple of bent valves to replace. Probably cheaper and simpler to fix that than hoist an unknown engine cross country only to find its shot or won't fit. Plus there is originality to consider...

[Inspector Morose]

Applications:

 

Citroen CX (from later series one onwards)

Renault 18

Renault 20

Renault 21

Renault 25

Renault Safrane

Renault Espace

Renault Fuego

Renault Trafic

Peugeot 505

[Eric]

Use Gates belt. no. 5003

[sierraman]

I've a Renault 20 Haynes Manual in my loft. Yours delivered by post for the cost of postage (£3 more or less IIRC)

[doubleyeller]

Thanks Sierraman, but there was one in the boot of the car already!

[sierraman]

No worries!

[richardmorris]

I think your engine will be the "J" type engine that Renault shared with Peugeot and Citroen. Confusingly also called a Douvrin engine despite that name usually being reserved for the V6 shared with Peugeot and Volvo.

A quick google didn't seem to bring anything up about whether this engine would be an interference or not so I think I would get another belt and put that on to see if works or not. Maybe buy two, one to check if the engine works and a second one for when you realise the tensioner are all screwed and it has to all come apart again

Douvrin was where they were made isn't it? My cx Pallas was a 2 litre douvrin-think it's non-interference too.

[Felly Magic]

An actual genuine Renault 20 thread? This forum isn't...etc, but seriously, good luck in getting the old French bird going again

[doubleyeller]

An actual genuine Renault 20 thread? This forum isn't...etc, but seriously, good luck in getting the old French bird going again

 

Thought these would be in the top 10 of ultimate Autoshite cars - maybe tastes are a little different? So what sort of cars are popular on here?

[Daniel R25]

Hi,
nice car!
The valves will be bend

You could fit a fuel injected engine from a r25 if you really wanted. But an EFI head does not accept the Carb manifold. This might be cheap and easy way to get the car running- a fuel injected and a carb engine. Both are adaptable- the carb one easily.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Renault-25-Engines-44k-Miles-/322059425477?hash=item4afc3cd6c5:g:-~MAAOSwr7ZW5afb

Daniel

 

[Parky]

Thought these would be in the top 10 of ultimate Autoshite cars - maybe tastes are a little different? So what sort of cars are popular on here?

The Renault 20 is most welcome and would meet any seal of approval from any member. However we aren't stuck up in any way and welcome anyone with anything! You may be aware we had a newbie a few months back with big plans to buy an R20 in France and bring it back but he turned out to be a bit of a nob. It co-incided with the Paris shootings so he was umming and ah-ing about postponing in case ISIS shot him. We were patient but he ended up with a ban as we had all had enough.

 

Since I have been here:

 

****hall Corsas

Rover 75's

Rover 800's

Citroen BX's

Leyland Princesses

And at present we are having a Renault Laguna binge...

 

Basically if it's odd, unpopular, unreliable, cheap, or generally just shit then we will welcome it! The holy grail is the Talbot Tagora, but the Autoshite God is probably the Escort Van following its starring performance in Escort vs BMW starring Bub_2006 and Chompy Snake a few weeks back. The only other one of note is D701 SWL, a time travelling Land Rover which all of us have owned at some point in a past life or our predecessors will own. Long story.....

 

And don't mention diesel Austin Maxis!

[doubleyeller]

Since I have been here:

 

****hall Corsas

Rover 75's

Rover 800's

Citroen BX's

Leyland Princesses

And at present we are having a Renault Laguna binge...

 

Basically if it's odd, unpopular, unreliable, cheap, or generally just shit then we will welcome it! The holy grail is the Talbot Tagora, but the Autoshite God is probably the Escort Van following its starring performance in Escort vs BMW starring Bub_2006 and Chompy Snake a few weeks back

Now I know, thanks! Think the 20 meets the criteria well enough then, although from what I see they are starting to sell for real money nowadays - I'm sure 10 years ago you could still get the odd MOT'd example for sub £200!

 

When did they start to attain semi classic status? They have been in Practical classics 4 times in the last year!

[Parky]

oh yeah, the R20 is a natural on here. No idea when classic status will kick in, mainly because they were always a bit obscure even when new so the market for these will be tiny. However if you are going to find a buyer this is probably a good place to start as at least most of us know what it is