Discover our R21 Turbo parts

Renault 21 2L Turbo

The Renault 21 Turbo was unveiled in 1987 as Renault's flagship sports saloon. It received the J7R engine, a 2.0L 4-cylinder with an aluminium block and 8-valve aluminium cylinder head, cast-iron liners, paired with a Garrett T3 turbo and an air-to-air intercooler.

The first version produced 175 hp DIN at 5,200 rpm (Phase 1, 1987–1988). In 1990, the catalysed Phase 2 dropped to 162 hp and introduced the "Quadra" four-wheel-drive transmission.

The Renix electronic management combined multipoint injection, ignition and boost control. Timing is by belt, with compact combustion chambers and a low-inertia turbo.

The gearbox is a reinforced 5-speed manual. The chassis uses a pseudo-McPherson front axle and a trailing-arm rear axle, with settings specific to the Turbo version.

Braking relies on ventilated front discs and solid rear discs, with ABS standard from the start of production.
The first 500 21 Turbos were fitted with manually adjustable mirrors.

With a kerb weight between 1,210 and 1,320 kg depending on version, the 21 Turbo delivered remarkable performance: around 8.0 s for 0–100 km/h and a top speed close to 220 km/h in catalysed form.

The Renault 21 2L Turbo engine

The R21's engine is derived from the Renault 829 engine originally fitted to the R20. It is a 2-litre with an 88 mm bore and 82 mm stroke.

It comes as standard with specific AE pressure-cast pistons. The block is fitted with independent oil jets. The cylinder head has an overhead camshaft with a 12-52/52-12 diagram at 0.7 mm; valve actuation is by pad-type rockers.

The turbocharger is a specially designed Garrett T3 A/R 0.48, delivering a regulated boost pressure of 0.9 bar relative. The 21 Turbo also received a specific exhaust manifold. Timing is by a 115-tooth belt, not 116.
On the transmission side: a Valeo clutch with an uprated pressure plate, and a friction disc with damping specific to this version.

Find here all the documentation on the Renault 21 Turbo:

Mespiecesauto articles

• Cooling the R21 Turbo – Radiator

Repair manuals

• The R21 Turbo injection manual
• The R21 Turbo repair manual
• The J engine manual
• R21 Turbo wiring diagrams Vol. 1
• R21 Turbo wiring diagrams Vol. 2

Spare parts catalogues

• R21 Turbo Europacup spare parts

Renault Sport preparation documents

• R21 Turbo Group N preparation manual

Miscellaneous

• R21 Turbo owner's handbook
• R21 Turbo trip computer manual

Engine failures — Renault 21 Turbo

The main causes of engine breakdowns and failures are:

• Cracked liner
• Head gasket sealing failure
• Cracked exhaust manifold
• Insufficient oil pressure
• Micro-cracking of the flywheel
• Broken clutch fork
• ABS fault (sensor)
• Seizure of remanufactured oil pumps
• Damper pulley coming loose

These failures can have common or very different causes.
An accurate diagnosis must be established through methodical questioning and thorough checks.

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