Renewal request not working as expected on FIMCM...

Trying to accomplish what's described here:

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee534907%28v=ws.10%29.aspx?f=255&MSPPError=-2147217396#BKMK_ConfigureRenewalRequests

I'm pretty sure it was working couple of months ago, but now when change the datecert_renew column in the dbo.Certificates -table, nothing happens... there isn't an email sent and I cannot figure out why.

Also, when logging to the portal with the cm update service account, there isn't a renewal request made at all... any ideas where to start checking?