Top dead center (TDC) for piston #1 — location (Renault Clio 1)

1. TDC is the highest point in the cylinder that the piston reaches during a crankshaft revolution. Each piston reaches TDC at the end of the compression stroke, as well as at the end of the exhaust stroke. However, to adjust the ignition timing, the TDC at the end of the compression stroke is taken into account. On all engines described in this manual, cylinder #1 is located at the transmission end of the engine (from the flywheel side).

2. Disconnect both cables from the battery (always disconnect the negative first).

3. Apply the handbrake, then jack up the front right side of the car and support it on axle stands. Remove the right wheel.

4. Remove the plastic cover from inside the right wheel arch to gain access to the crankshaft pulley bolt.

5. Remove the spark plugs as described in Section 1.

6. Place your finger over the #1 spark plug hole in the cylinder head (closest to the flywheel). Turn the crankshaft clockwise until you feel pressure in cylinder #1. This indicates that the piston is rising in the cylinder.

7. Looking through the opening in the flywheel end of the engine, continue to rotate the crankshaft until the TDC timing mark on the flywheel/drive plate aligns with the TDC mark on the clutch housing.



8. If you now remove the distributor cap, the rotor will be aligned with the toothed segment of the high tension wire of cylinder #1.