cam belt snapped

[myky16]

hi all as a few of u mite have read my cambelt snapped the yesterday, the thing is i aint opened her up to look yet basically carnt aford to pay any1 to do it so gonna look for myself the extent of the damage, i only know basics so any1 gonna be able to advise me what to do? im atepting it as soon as theres lite, if i take the head off following the haynes will i see the valves and cylinders/pistons(be able to see all thats wrong?) and if things need chnging is it an engine out job? cheers

 

[Mike@Rentech]

you done much work on cars?.....Its not for the inexperienced to do this job, but pm me and ile do my best to help

 

[cliosportcraig]

When you take the top off youll see cams !! Youll need to remove the bearings above them and remove the cams, followers,springs etc !! then you should be able to see the valves !! If they are bent then its an engine out job as the piston crowns may also be damaged !! Unlucky mate !! Sounds like its time for a megane or willy lump !! May work out the same !!

 

[JAY172]

if a valve is bent then you will be able to see it even if your no expert.piston crown damage would normally only occur if you were revving the nuts of the engine when it snapped.most of the time its just the valves but look at the head as well to make sure the valve hasnt been rammed into the head(rare but happens)

 

[myky16]

hello again well i started i managed to get the cover off LOL well anyway i can see the cam shafts i think they are called? however im puzzled where to go from here, i would ideally like to get the cam cover cover off put carnt figure out how to do it. and even when i have done this how do i get to the valves? will i have to take the cam shafts out and if so how? cheers

 

[White16valver]

No offence m8, but Im really thinking you should find a mechanic who owes you a favour!!

You sound like you have as much of a clue as I do! i.e. very very little!!

 

[Dean]

mate, not being nasty, but you will probs f**k more bits up, pull sh*t loads of hair out, get massive headaches lots of blood and tears when its not worth it



try n get a few quotes and save up to get it done, bar that get a new lump for as cheap as poss and shot it in hiring a crane

 

[myky16]

i can see where ya all comin from but tbh i got a more or less brand new car comin by end of week and i would like to learn about how its done while i got the chance, so couldnt give a sh*t wether i f**k it if i do ill jus pay someone to put it rite, all the mechnics at work have told me to try it and if i fail theyll help me or find some1 to do it for me.

 

[Ben H]

This happened to my old 16V (thankfully in the hands of a previous owner). I remember thinking "ouch" when I saw that particular bill - the exhaust valves alone were about £20 plus VAT... times 16 of course. I think the bill was about £1300 before the headwork (at a Renault specialist). Mmmm.

Youd be better off picking up a 16V F7P motor from someone doing a Williams F7R conversion as they seem to go for about £3-500, although some are without the head if theyre doing the Megane bottom end conversion. Still, it would come to less than the repair price for your existing engine all in.

 

[JAY172]

if you really have no idea then you might damage as much as your trying to fix.get a mechanic to help you.there not the nicest of engine bays to work in.

 

[toms123]

i knew absoloutely nothing about car engines but two weeks ago i finally managed to get a new head put on my 16V. Haynes manual is brilliant and in 8 days i had managed to replace a cam belt - alternator belt - gaskets and head. It REALLY isnt as bad as everyone is saying - just follow the book - improvise where necessary, and take ure time - renault quoted me £1500 to do the work and i managed to spend a tenner under £400. Make sure you have the right tools - make sure you remove the drivers side head light and make sure you dont rush - Honestly, it aint that bad. If you need any help then let me know....

 

[Glennclio16v]

Or you could buy my 1.8 16v engine/gbox which will soon be available due to my willy conversion!!

pm if interested...

 

[crono33]

hi
removing the head is not a easy job, all exhaust, inlet and all the stuff around it has to go, together will lots of cables, wires, pipes etc

u can try to trip the lot, but id strongly advise against putting it together by yourself. besides, changing valves requires some special tool, and refitting the head requires experience, a torque wrench and to know how to do it properly, or it might be a blown head gasket very soon after rebuild.

i have done such jobs myself a few times but not sure i would like to repeat the experience...

gm

Quote: Originally posted by myky16 on 25 January 2004
hi all as a few of u mite have read my cambelt snapped the yesterday, the thing is i aint opened her up to look yet basically carnt aford to pay any1 to do it so gonna look for myself the extent of the damage, i only know basics so any1 gonna be able to advise me what to do? im atepting it as soon as theres lite, if i take the head off following the haynes will i see the valves and cylinders/pistons(be able to see all thats wrong?) and if things need chnging is it an engine out job? cheers

 

[BenS_172]

Its really not as hard as everyone is making out, take your time, follow the haynes as toms123 advised..

Give it a go... Youll save hundreds

 

[toms123]

Indeed you will! Thanks Ben - well show em!

 

[myky16]

cheers lads. thats what i gonna do, got a mechanic who said i can call him for help. jus got the torx to get the head of tomorrow, got the rocker cover off still, if i take all the screws and bolts out now will the head come off? like the haynes said i think i shud support the engine and take the drivers side engine mount off?

 

[toms123]

Yep- do that - Unbolt the engine mount, Jack the engine up and try and get some wood underneath it so as to rest it back down - only a couple of inches. Next step or maybe before you do this, is to remove the drivers side wheel and the cover that surrounds the inside of the wheel arch - then remove the drivers side headlight (so that you can get to the belt) and definately remove the bonnet - its so much easier without it! There are plenty of hidden bolts that will keep the head secured and its not a one man job to get it off!! Remember to keep all holes covered up that flow into the engine (sorry if this is all obvious!) Also remember that when replacing the cam belt, it can be very difficult to get to without removing the alternator belt - i just cut mine and got a new one!!! Brutal yet effective nad they arent that expensive......

 

[toms123]

One more thing - getting the cam belt to the right tension is tricky. it may be best to have someone there who has done it before coz it can be an awkward process. Good luck mate PM me if you need anymore help..