What did you do today?

[Gilbert T Codwhacker]

Mr Conrad ...When did you get a Clio ?

[Conrad D. Conelrad]

Oh, a while ago. No point posting a photo since if you look out of your window you'll see an identical one. It's a MK3, with the Nissan 2.0 (138hp), so while left in the dust by SiC's, it's got an adequate amount of power for a small car.

It has a bunch of stuff I previously considered fripperies but now realise are absolutely essential, including keyless lock/start, electric folding mirrors and cornering lights.

[bub2006]

Learn something new every day. I didnt know you could get a lower power 2.0 in the clio!

[SiC]

Learn something new every day. I didnt know you could get a lower power 2.0 in the clio!

They're decent engines too. Complete different lineage to the 2.0 197bhp engine in the Clio III - that's shared lineage with my 172bhp engine in my Clio II.

I do quite like the look of the Clio III 197 ph1 - more so than the ph2. Smart looking and less of a little shit box than the Clio II. Not as raved about as the 172/182 but reviewers and track times suggest they're as good as the 172/182. I guess it's the start of when the supermini segment got more bloated with every generation.

[SiC]

Went out in it for a blast yesterday. Felt all so familiar very quickly. I only had my Clio II for 1.5yrs but my (now) wife had one for a good 4 to 5 years and we both did a lot of miles in them.

Gear change is better than those 1.2 lumps but still a bit mushy compared to what I'm used to now on my other cars. However all the cogs are direct and easily selected without mistake.

Engine comes alive after around 4k and quite docile under that. Not as fast as I expected but it does struggle to get grip under hard acceleration - especially in first. Set of four Toyo Proxies, so reasonable rubber. But then I'm comparing it against my Boxster which is RWD and much fatter rubber.

Suspension is an interesting one. Mine is completely stock. Handles great while actually being quite comfortable. Actually one of the most comfortably sprung cars out of all what I own! Over rough surfaces, you can feel the road but it's not jarring. But again I'm comparing against the Boxster, Audi A4 with S-Line "sports" setup and my MGB with knackered springs.

Does tramline a bit though and a bit squirrelly under braking. Need to check the tyre pressure really and get underneath to inspect the rubber bushings.

[xtriple]

I do love a hot hatch! Never driven a Clio of any description let alone a fast one. My view of them is slightly jaundiced by the utter knobsocket that used to live next door but one who had a 182 or a newer version (did they do one?) and he was a wanker of the first order and so I am biased against the cars just because of him.

Sad old git ain't I?

[Drum]

Any ideas how to find out what's causing the crankcase to pressurise so much it's blowing large amounts of oil out the breather?

It's my 2 cylinder diesel kubota.

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I attached a bottle to the breather pipe to stop it leaving a black streak on the grass. This is the amount caught after about 2 hours. Must be 100ml in there.

Google suggests piston rings or head gasket. The engine has only done 500 hours according to the clock.

[MLOR]

^Have you got a compression tester suitable for that engine?
If so do a dry and wet test.

[Drum]

I don't have a diesel compression tester unfortunately.

[xtriple]

Blocked crankcase vent? Do they even have one? I know less than nothing about such things but trying to be 'helpful'!