The TDC setting is needed when replacing the timing belt and for other repairs on the engine
On K7J, K7M and K4M engines, the cylinders are counted from the flywheel.
Setting the top dead center (TDC) of the first cylinder of the K7J and K7M engines
When setting marks, you need to take into account that the camshaft makes one revolution in four engine cycles, and the crankshaft makes two revolutions.
Therefore, when the marks on the crankshaft pulley and the hole on the cylinder block are aligned, both the first cylinder and the fourth can be at TDC.
It is necessary to set the TDC according to the mark on the camshaft pulley (when setting according to the marks on the crankshaft pulley, the piston of either the 1st or 4th cylinder can be in this position).
After that, be sure to check that the marks on the crankshaft toothed pulley match (with the accessory drive pulley removed).
If the marks on the crankshaft pulley do not match, then the valve timing is incorrect (the piston of the 1st cylinder is not set to TDC). In this case, it is necessary to remove the camshaft drive belt and turn the crankshaft until the marks are aligned.
The crankshaft is rotated to check the coincidence of the marks for the bolt securing the auxiliary drive pulley to it, removing the upper part of the right engine mudguard to access it.
In addition, you can do this in the following ways (especially when adjusting the clearances in the valve drive, when control by marks on the crankshaft pulley is not needed):
- - turn on any gear (preferably IV) and slowly drive the car until the marks are aligned;
- - take out one front wheel, turn on any gear and then turn the posted wheel until the marks are aligned.
The mark on the camshaft sprocket must match the mark on the cylinder head cover with the Dachia logo.
And the timing belt is also marked with paint, which should also match the marks.
The mark on the crankshaft pulley must be aligned with the mark on the cylinder block.
This mark can only be seen after the accessory drive pulley has been removed.
To set the TDC, remove the right front wheel.
Remove the upper part of the engine mudguard (see the article – How to remove the protection and mudguards of the Renault Sandero engine)
Remove the accessory drive belt (see article - Checking and replacing the Renault Sandero auxiliary drive belt)
Remove the right suspension support of the power unit
We unscrew the five bolts securing the upper timing belt cover
Remove the cover
We scroll the crankshaft clockwise by the bolt of the accessory drive pulley until the marks on the camshaft pulley and the cylinder head cover are aligned
Then loosen the tightening and finally unscrew the pulley bolt
Remove the pulley
We unscrew the three bolts securing the lower cover of the timing belt
Remove the cover
When checking the valve timing, it is not necessary to remove the bottom cover.
Remove only if you need to change the belt or rearrange it.
Check the coincidence of the marks on the camshaft pulley and on the cylinder head cover
Setting TDC on the K4M engine
To do the job, you will need tools: a socket head for 13, 15, 18, a key for 13, screwdrivers, a Torx E14 key;
- retainer for setting TDC;
- camshaft lock.
If these fixators are not available, you can make them according to the sketches:
Remove the right front wheel
Remove the upper part of the right engine mudguard (see article - How to remove the protection and mudguards of the Renault Sandero engine)
Removing the accessory drive belt (Checking and replacing the Renault Sandero auxiliary drive belt)
Remove the right suspension support of the power unit
With a 13 head, unscrew the three bolts and two nuts securing the upper timing cover
Remove the top cover of the timing gear
Rotate the crankshaft clockwise for the accessory drive pulley bolt
We set marks on the camshaft pulleys with the Renault logo so that they do not reach the top point a little
Using the Torx E14 key, unscrew the plug of the hole for installing the TDC position lock (Figure 9, shown on the removed engine)
The plug is located to the left of the flywheel in the cylinder block on level of the 1st cylinder
We screw the TDC position lock into the hole
Turn the crankshaft all the way
Unfasten the rubber clamp securing the air intake
Disconnect the air intake from the air filter housing
Remove the sleeve
We pierce the plugs of the camshafts with a flat screwdriver
We press out the plugs of the camshafts
When the piston of the 1st cylinder is correctly installed in the TDC position of the compression stroke, the grooves at the ends of the camshafts should be in a horizontal position and be shifted down relative to the axis of the camshafts.
We fix the camshafts in this position with a camshaft lock.
