Clio Mk1 Phase 3

 I got a Haynes manual like all keen DIYers, and it tells me the engine is the D-type. Useful gen to know!

After a bit of time with a new car, little things come to your attention. The sun roof started leaking after a bit of use and I’m still not sure how the drain pipes run, but the best thing to do is take out the seal, clean it and it’s channel throughly and smear the lot with Vasaline. It’s possibly shrunk in its old age.   

The synchromesh is weak for 1st and 2nd gears but the recent oil change will hopefully stop further decline started by previous neglect. I don’t think this car was cherished during the last 40,000 miles. 

There was a splendid note penned onto the bonnet underside of when the cam belt was last changed. This job is utterly vital to do periodically to avoid engine destruction!! 

After getting new tyres and the tracking corrected. I began to see why the Clio was such a popular car. Very pleasant to drive, soft doughey suspension and if I were to splash out on new front suspension bushes, I expected very sharp steering. Switching between the new company car and Clio was an eye opener!

Steering wheel is reasonably large for extra leverage which comes in handy when it’s not power assisted! The size is nice for me since i prefer my arms to be parallel rather than diverging inwards towards a dinky little go-cart sized wheel. Silly little ideas those are! It’s 3.5 turns lock - to - lock and when moving is light and agreeable. No pumps or pipes to go wrong! I’m a big fan of simplicity.

No electric windows, being a small car I just reach across and enjoy the simplicity of manual windows, no central locking, but no key fobs to keep a battery in!