Frederick the Frog and the Art of Renault 4 Maintenance

How to do an oil change
Frederick's guide to changing the engine oil and filter.

Why oil changes are important
Fredrick the Frog finds an unloved Renault 4 engine.

Starter motor
Does your Renault 4 turn over very slowly on the starter motor? If so your problem might be dirt in the solenoid. Frederick the Frog explains how to fix it.

Clutch seizing
The Renault 4 clutch should be light and smooth in operation, but seizes up after many years of use. Frederick shows how to un-seize the clutch without taking anything apart.

Replacing the points
In a Femsa distributor from a Renault 4 GTL.

Battery
Was it the battery after all? Save money by fitting a cheaper battery from a Mini.

Headlamps
Renault only supply headlamps for left hand drive R4s. Frederick the frog shows how you convert them to right hand drive and fit a sidelight.

Pinking
It's common to get pinking when the ignition timing is too advanced or the points need replacing. If you have pinking in perfect tune it's worth trying Frederick's trick.

Gas Pressurised Dampers (shock absorbers)
Most dampers supplied for the Renault 4 don't work properly. Find out why and how to select good dampers.

Fitting Rear Dampers
How to fit gas pressurised dampers without all the problems of them expanding too much.

Front suspension lower balljoint
Frederick decides a creaking sound is caused by a lower balljoint and tries to replace it with a new one bought on eBay.

Front Brake Discs
Frederick fits new brake discs and pads.

Rear Brake Shoes
Bendix and Girling rear shoes together with some wheel bearing action.

Gordini Wheel Nuts
Frederick does some cool things with a lathe.

Frederick's angle grinder (RIP)
Frederick's angle grinder passed away today giving him another opportunity to take something apart.