Inside Line: Gates

Renault Clio 2005 onwards

Drive belt installation issues

Gates points out that premature belt failure on 1.2 16V models is inevitable if installers apply a ‘general rule of thumb’ when replacing the timing belt and tensioner at a scheduled change. Unless the recommended procedure is followed precisely – at every stage – the starting position of the Allen Key will be incorrect. This will cause the tensioner to make contact with the cylinder head, become blocked and unable to rotate.
As the belt runs across the now ‘solid’ tensioner, the intense heat generated will be transferred to other components in the drive, making early failure inevitable and engine destruction a likely outcome.