Renault 1.2 8v (D7F)Timing belt
Worn or broken timing belt on the 1.2 8v
The 1.2 8v has a timing belt, not a chain. The entries record few belt cases (3 out of 80 opinions on the Twingo I, 2 out of 74 on the Clio II); roadside assistance services cite broken belts on the Twingo I, and Caradisiac advises replacing it every 120,000 km or 5 years on the Clio II.[1][2][3][4]
Why this rating?
Medium severity: It can leave you stranded or get worse if ignored, without destroying the engine.
Frequency rare: Fiches-auto.fr counts the timing belt in 3 of 80 opinions on the Twingo I (3.8%), 2 of 74 on the Clio II (2.7%), 2 of 27 on the Twingo II and 1 of 11 on the Kangoo I; carwiki.de notes that roadside assistance services attend to broken belts on the Twingo I, with no engine or figure given. These are isolated cases.[1][2][3][6][7]
Symptoms
- According to Autopista, squealing, rhythmic knocking or abnormal vibrations can signal a worn belt; this is a general indication, not specific to this engine.[5]Chain noise: other faults that cause it · Garage soon
Why it happens
End of the belt's life through age or mileage: Caradisiac sets replacement every 120,000 km with a maximum of 5 years on the Clio II, and Autopista notes that the usual interval is between 5 and 10 years and that it should be brought forward by 20-25% in urban use.[4][5]
If it is not repaired: If the belt breaks, the engine loses timing and, according to Autopista, in many cases pistons and valves collide, with repairs that can exceed 1,500 or 2,000 euros. We have not been able to confirm whether the D7F is an interference engine.[5]
Affected cars and years
It appears sporadically in the entries for the Twingo I, the Clio II, the Twingo II and the Kangoo I. We have not been able to confirm whether the D7F is an interference engine.[1][2][6][7]
| Version | Years | Codes |
|---|---|---|
| 1.2 8v 54-60 hp (D7F, 1996-2012) | 1996–2012 | D7FD7F 700D7F 701D7F 702D7F 703D7F 704D7F 720D7F 726D7F 746D7F 764D7F 766D7F 800 |
Models fitted with the affected versions
Renault
- Renault Twingo I1996–2004
- Renault Twingo II2007–2010
- Renault Clio II1998–2012
- Renault Kangoo I1997–2005
- Renault Clio I1996–1998
How much it costs to repair
Includes: Preventive replacement of the timing kit; if the belt breaks, repair of the cylinder head, valves or pistons.[5]
Autopista quotes in general around 400-900 € for a preventive kit replacement and more than 1,500-2,000 € if there is damage to the cylinder head, valves or pistons; this is not a figure specific to this engine.
Prices in Spain, including VAT. A workshop hour costs on average €38–66 at independent garages and €77–134 at dealerships in Spain, depending on the region and the brand. How we calculate costs
How to check for it before buying a used car
- Ask for the invoice for the latest belt replacement (date and mileage): if it is more than 5 years or 120,000 km ago, expect to have it done as soon as possible.[4]
Parts needed
The part or kit that fixes this fault, according to the sources.
Timing kit (belt and tensioner)
Replaced preventively by age or mileage, and always after a deteriorated belt.
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How to prevent it
- Follow the interval in the handbook and bring it forward if you use the car mostly in town or outdoors.[5]
Recalls, campaigns and claims
As of 2 November 2026, we have no record of recalls, campaigns or extended manufacturer warranties for this fault. Check with an official dealer using the chassis (VIN) number: they will tell you whether the car has any outstanding campaign.
What owners say
Frequently asked questions
Does the Renault 1.2 8v have a chain or a timing belt?
It has a toothed timing belt. The timing chain belonged to the older 1.2 C3G of the Twingo, a different engine.[8][9]
How often is the 1.2 8v belt replaced?
Caradisiac gives every 120,000 km with a maximum of 5 years for the Clio II. We have not found a specific official interval for the D7F: check your car's handbook.[4]
What happens if the timing belt breaks?
The engine loses timing and, in many cases, pistons and valves collide, according to Autopista. We have not been able to confirm whether the D7F is an interference engine.[5]
What can you do now?
We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.
Other 1.2 8v faults
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalCylinder head and blockDamaged cylinder head gasket (coolant loss and overheating)The cylinder head gasket is one of the engine faults most often repeated in the entries for the 60 hp 1.2 8v: 12 cases out of 74 opinions on the Clio II, 6 out of 80 on the Twingo I and 3 out of 27 on the Twingo II. A coolant leak or overheating can end up damaging the cylinder head.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonElectronicsCrankshaft sensor (TDC) and other engine sensor failureThe sensors, including the crankshaft TDC pickup, are the category that adds the most cases in the entries for the 60 hp 1.2 8v: 17 out of 74 opinions on the Clio II (23%) and 19 out of 80 on the Twingo I (24%). The entries do not detail how the fault shows itself.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalIgnitionIgnition faults: coil packs, ignition harness and humidityThe 1.2 8v ignition can fail: Fiches-auto records 7 coil or ignition cases out of 74 opinions on the Clio II (9.5%), and Auto Bild warns that the Twingo ignition fails in humidity. It shows up as jerking or hard starting.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalLubricationEngine oil consumption and leaksThe 1.2 8v can burn or lose oil, but moderately: Fiches-auto records it in 4% of the opinions on the Clio II, 5% on the Twingo I and 15% on the Twingo II, and Auto Bild points to the crankshaft seal next to the flywheel as the typical source of stains between engine and gearbox on the Twingo.
More faults with the timing belt on other engines and cars
- Critical severityFrequency: Very frequent1.2 PureTechOil-bath timing belt degradationThe oil-bath belt on the 1.2 PureTech (2012-2025) can swell and shed debris that blocks the oil pump pick-up; without lubrication, the engine can be destroyed. Stellantis covers it up to 10 years or 180,000 km and asks for it to be changed every 100,000 km or 6 years.Repair (garage): €400–€800
- Critical severityFrequency: Common1.0 EcoBoostDegradation of the timing belt running in oilYes: the 1.0 EcoBoost's timing belt runs in oil and can degrade over the years, shedding bits of rubber that block the oil pump and seize the engine without warning. The NHTSA is investigating the case in the United States and Ford has shortened the recommended replacement interval.Repair (garage): €800–€1,200
- Critical severityFrequency: Common1.5 / 2.0 EcoBlueDegradation of the wet timing belt (2.0 EcoBlue)Yes: the 2.0 EcoBlue debuted a timing belt that runs bathed in oil on Ford's diesels. Over the years it can degrade and shed debris that affects the lubrication circuit, with a risk of seizure. A roundup by Autopista.es places it in the Focus, Kuga, Transit and Transit/Tourneo Custom.
- Critical severityFrequency: Common1.0 / 1.5 VTEC TurboEngine failure caused by the wet timing beltYes: the 1.0 VTEC Turbo (P10A2) uses an oil-bath timing belt that degrades over time, blocks the lubrication circuit and can destroy the engine completely. Fiches-auto.fr documents several cases in the Honda Civic between 72,000 and 114,000 km.Appears at around 72,000 km
- Critical severityFrequency: CommonD4/D5Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing belt with it (5-cylinder)Yes: on the 2.4/2.0 5-cylinder (D5244T/D5204, 2001-2016), several owners describe the auxiliary belt breaking and taking out or damaging the timing belt, with the engine destroyed. It happens in the S60 and XC60 between 74,000 and 119,000 km, and in one case not even the extended warranty covered it.
- High severityFrequency: Very frequent1.6 HDiTiming belt failure and premature wearOn the 8-valve 1.6 HDi/e-HDi 112/115 built between October 2010 and September 2011 the belt could break and leave the car stranded. PSA covered the repair and in 2014 preventively replaced the belt and crankshaft sprocket on those that had passed 120,000 km.
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Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Fiabilité Renault Clio 2 : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité Renault Twingo 1993-2006 : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
- Renault Twingo: Problemecarwiki.de · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
- Fiche fiabilité Renault Clio 2Caradisiac · Motoring press · published 26 October 2009 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
- Cuántos kilómetros se cambia la correa de distribución y cuándo hacerlo antes para evitar averíasAutopista · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish
- Fiabilité Renault Twingo 2 (2007-2014) : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité Renault Kangoo (1997-2007) : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
- Moteur D (Renault)Wikipédia (francés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
- Renault Twingo IWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German