don't wait until it's to late. Renault/Dacia 1.5dci timing belt replacement.

Product Reviewed

A DIY timing belt replacement including the water pump for a Renault/Dacia 1.5 dCi (Duster/Duster-like) engine—covering tools, step-by-step procedure, and the recommended parts kit used in the video (not a retail “product” like a device).

Key Features / Process Highlights

The video emphasizes a careful, timing-locked procedure and highlights several job-specific steps and cautions:

• Disconnect the battery and drain coolant (required because the job includes the water pump).
• Lift the vehicle, remove the front wheel, and take off engine undertrays/plastic covers.
• Remove the engine mounting for access and move the fuel line out of the way.
• Remove the top timing cover (held by clips and a center plastic fastener).
• Align engine timing using pins:
  • Crankshaft pin: positioned behind/near the starter, inside the block.
  • Camshaft pin: goes into the cylinder head.
• Slack and remove the cam pulley (floating pulley), then remove the lower timing cover.
• Release timing belt tension and remove the belt.
• Replace the water pump:
  • Remove the pump plastic cover using three 8mm bolts.
  • Remove the pump and catch greasy antifreeze.
  • Be careful with a metal gasket connected to the oil pump gasket— it can snap and may cut fingers.
• Cleaning and reassembly guidance:
  • Uses the preferred timing kit: “Schaeffler” (mentioned as high quality).
  • Use a new gasket.
  • Do not use silicone on the gasket.
  • Clean mating surfaces using a 3M Scotch pad.
  • Apply liquid PTFE to a bolt that threads into a water jacket.
• Installing the belt:
  • Align timing marks: white lines on the belt and pulley dot marks (the engine is locked, so it’s hard to mis-time during locked installation).
  • Set the tensioner using the alignment marker/pointer, then tighten bolts after alignment.
• Torque / angle steps mentioned:
  • Tensioner / cam pulley torque: cam pulley tightened to 14 Nm (stated for camshaft pulley).
  • Tensioner bolts torque: 27 Nm.
  • Crank pulley bolt: 120 Nm, then 90° (with a yellow marking to help confirm the 90°).
• Final checks:
  • Remove the crank and cam pins.
  • Rotate the engine twice and confirm timing marks still align.
  • Refit engine components and refill with the correct coolant.
  • Bleed the coolant / heater circuit: mentions a bent valve—undo/allow water flow through the heater matrix, then refit.
• Start-up and verification:
  • Start the engine and check for leaks.
  • Check fans operate normally at operating temperature.
• Note about an additional issue:
  • Mentions a separate fault: upstream turbo pressure sensor (PSE) and that pipes are blocked.

Pros (as Presented)

• Clear, careful procedure with strong emphasis on correct timing alignment using pins.
• Recommends a high-quality timing belt kit (Schaeffler).
• Provides specific torque/angle specs and alignment marker guidance.
• Includes multiple cautions, such as:
  • Don’t use silicone on the gasket.
  • Don’t snap brittle plastic timing covers.
  • Be careful with gasket/metal parts to avoid cuts.
• Practical user tips:
  • Properly drain coolant and catch the mess.
  • Clean surfaces (e.g., 3M Scotch pad) to ensure correct sealing.

Cons / Risks (as Implied)

• High complexity:
  • Requires engine mount removal and significant disassembly.
  • Crank pin location is described as fiddly and hard to demonstrate clearly.
• Some components are fragile:
  • Plastic timing cover risk of snapping, especially in colder conditions.
• Added hazards:
  • Mess risk from greasy antifreeze.
  • Metal gasket edges can cut fingers.

Comparisons

• No direct comparisons to other timing belt kits are made.
• The video explicitly states the creator’s preferred kit is Schaeffler, described as “awesome quality.”

Ratings / Numerical Scores

• No overall product rating is provided.
• Multiple torque/angle values are included:
  • 27 Nm (tensioner bolts)
  • 14 Nm (cam pulley torque stated)
  • 120 Nm + 90° (crank pulley bolt)

Unique Points Mentioned About the Product/Job

1. Disconnect battery.
2. Remove coolant reservoir cap and drain coolant.
3. Remove underbody plastic cover(s); lift vehicle and remove wheel.
4. Note some cable tie/stitching on plastics (possible prior work).
5. Requires engine mount removal for lower access.
6. Undo/relocate fuel line and engine mount bolts (16mm stated).
7. Remove top timing cover (clips + center plastic fastener).
8. Use two timing pins (crank + cam).
9. Crank pin location: through the block near the starter; described as hard/fiddly.
10. Turn crank with 18mm and align into head opening for cam timing pin.
11. Slack cam pulley bolts (floating pulley).
12. Remove lower timing cover.
13. Use 13mm at the tensioner.
14. Replace water pump (remove plastic cover using three 8mm bolts).
15. Catch greasy antifreeze.
16. Warning about metal gasket connected to oil pump gasket: can snap and cut.
17. Preferred kit: Schaeffler.
18. Use new gasket.
19. No silicone on gasket.
20. Clean surfaces with 3M Scotch pad.
21. Use liquid PTFE on a bolt into a water jacket.
22. Install belt and align white marks to pulley dots.
23. Set tensioner using a pointer/marker; tension set after slack and then tightened.
24. Torque values: tensioner bolts 27 Nm.
25. Crank bolt: 120 Nm, then 90° (with yellow pen verification).
26. Verify “clunk”/lock feel when aligned (procedural verification).
27. Camshaft pulley bolt torque: 14 Nm.
28. Remove pins; rotate engine twice and verify alignment.
29. Reassemble and refill coolant to correct level.
30. Bleed/operate heater circuit by undoing a bent valve to let water flow through the matrix.
31. Start-up-related note: prime fuel lines after disconnection.
32. Check fans and no leaks.
33. Separate unresolved fault mentioned: upstream turbo pressure sensor (PSE) and blocked pipes.

Speakers / Views

• Single main speaker/narrator. Guidance, cautions, and the Schaeffler preference come from the same person.

Overall Verdict / Recommendation

• A high-confidence DIY walkthrough for replacing the timing belt and water pump on a Renault/Dacia 1.5 dCi, with clear timing alignment and torque/angle steps.
• Recommended if you can follow meticulous timing/pinning and torque procedures.
• Otherwise, consider a professional due to complexity and risks: fragile plastics, messy coolant, fiddly crank/cam alignment, and gasket hazard areas.