A Proper Twingo - eBay headgasket sets for Renault D7F - any good?

[Bear]

I really, really need to sort the Twingo out. It's either going to be a faily driver to take over what the Smart should have done, or sold to get something more to my usual tastes (though I maintain I have a Twingo because I really like the idea of it - even if it has taken a year to get around to seriously thinking about doing the headgasket. Hope I can remember how the bits I took off go back on).

 

Amazon headgaskets are around £60.

eBay has sets for under £20

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PAYEN-HEAD-GASKET-SET-RENAULT-CLIO-TWINGO-D7F730-D7F700-D7F701-D7F702-DX630-/122076911029?hash=item1c6c59d5b5:g:JasAAOSw0UdXqGrJ

 

This is the set I was thinking of buying - it has valve stem seals (I don't have a spring compressor though) and head bolts for under £40.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HEAD-GASKET-SET-BOLTS-RENAULT-CLIO-KANGOO-TWINGO-1-2-8V-2001-06-D7F-DIET-/130745837972?hash=item1e710f2994:m:mZTINFmgmGwnTZk6BZ0ZT5w

 

I'll also need to get a timing belt kit and since I'm replacing the radiator I figured I'd do the water pump too. That combo seems to be about £100.

 

The gasket blew between 2-3 causing a misfire, no excessive smoke or oil/water contamination, so I'm hoping for a relatively straightforward repair once I've sussed out how to stop petrol pissing out of the rigid fuel line to the fuel rail - the only reason the inlet manifold is still on the car!

 

Have a picture of the Twingo.

 

 

And the engine... (specifically the bit where I went "Oh bollocks it's not OHV this won't be as simple as I hoped").

 

 

And the glorious sunroofy interior.

 

 

 

New and old parts!

 

 

 

 

[hpi_matrix]

Payen used to get recommended to me when I had an MG B and needed to do the headgasket. It seemed ok but I haven't done hundreds of headgaskets so I dont have much to compare it to.

 

If your anywhere near Essex I can lend you a spring compressor.

[nigel bickle]

I run a couple of the earlier Twinks, with the old 5 lump. Yours has the Clio engine, so I'm not much help.

 

If you need expert free advice look up Paul Cunningham, a 60s-90s Renault expert/ mechanic based down in Worthing Sussex. He will be able to quote you, off the top of his head, over the phone inc any compatibility or items to beware of, issues.

 

I love both of mine, so good luck with yours"

[Bear]

Everything is in Sussex

 

It looks like MOST of what matters is pretty straightforward - I get the kit with the rubber gasket for the later cam cover and we're rolling. I have two new engine mounts, but not the one it looks like I have to undo to do the belt-end of the engine, too.

 

 

It'll probably need new tyres it's been standing (under pressure and rolled around a bit) so long. But it has been under cover the whole time, and dry. It's gotta be worth the effort.

[SiC]

Would it not be easier and cheaper to swap in a known good D7F engine? They should still be pretty plentiful lumps, given how widely used in the Clio.

[Supernaut]

Would it not be easier and cheaper to swap in a known good Clio 182 engine?

 

FTFY

[holbeck]

That's nice, I quite fancy a twingo myself.

[Bear]

Would it not be easier and cheaper to swap in a known good D7F engine? They should still be pretty plentiful lumps, given how widely used in the Clio.

 

 

I'd considered that but I don't have the kit for swapping a whole engine.

 

And yes. I'd actually quite like a Clio 182 lump in there. If it would fit. Packaging is kinda tight.

[chaseracer]

That's a nice Rover you have there... 

[the judge]

Not as big a job as you think once all the big pieces are off. You may be better using a local motor factors though, will cut any delays right down

[Bear]

Yeah, my local factor is crap sadly. Expensive AND rarely has bits in stock!

 

I'm figuring if I get all the bits together, I should be able to do this in a day, right? Including the new radiator, water pump and cambelt since that's going to have to come off to get out of the way of the head.

[Inspector Morose]

Yeah, my local factor is crap sadly. Expensive AND rarely has bits in stock!

 

I'm figuring if I get all the bits together, I should be able to do this in a day, right? Including the new radiator, water pump and cambelt since that's going to have to come off to get out of the way of the head.

 

I can come on over and lend a hand, if you like. Needless to say that the hand will be mostly keeping warm in trouser pockets and picking my nose.

[Bear]

Sounds like a very good plan - I could definitely use some motivation on this one. I'll even buy a new gas bottle for the garage heater

[Mr Lobster]

, or sold

O RLY.

 

*strokes chin*

 

Well worth contacting Paul Cunningham as he's good with this sort of stuff. He's on my Facebook if you need contact details.

[alf892]

Valve spring compressor available in Northamptonshire if required. Also got a home made attachment so you can use a pillar drill.......I could post that. Mind you easy to make.......

 

It is just a piece of pipe with the sides ground through and a bolt welded in the top....then you just need a piece of wood to level the head up.

[Bear]

I figure it's worth doing the stem seals, so let's see what I find when the top comes off. To be fair it wasn't smoking at all when I drove it, just misfiring and then looking in the bores with a camera on a stick revealed the failed gasket.