HELP... Has my timing belt slipped???

[deetim2]

Hi,
i have a 172 03plate and i was driving home from work last night, i was just approaching a 60 strech and started to put my foot down and the car just died... it lost power and when i pulled over it stopped. no lights other than battery and stop but engine had stopped so thats normal. AA came out and asked me to turn it over 1 turn and straight away he said timing is out. he took of the oil cap and asked me to turn it over again and told me the belt was on but may have slipped. i only had the belt chaged 4 1/2 month ago and have done 3500 miles!!!! anyone else had similar or do i have to accept timing belt problem and potential engine damge??? BAD TIMES!!!

 

[extremeinferno]

sounds like wot happend to me aux belt snapped and wrapped itsself round cam belt.
cost me £850. did it make any nasty noises whilse turning over?

 

[Mark One]

hmmmmm. I don't always buy that "timing belt has slipped" diagnosis.

Sure it's not oil starvation? did you check the oil?

What noise did it make when you cranked it to restart? If it's just that it's not firing it could just be a coilpack (dont normally go that suddenly) or a fly wheel sensor.
If it's making other noises while trying to restart then it could well be a more serious problem.

 

[deetim2]

unsure about oil as it was pitch black. AA guy seamed pretty sure. I had an oil change 2 weeks ago though!!!! will check in the morning

 

[emdos]

Sorry to hear dude. But these threads make me soooooo nervous lol

 

[deetim2]

Same here. im hoping someone takes responsibilty and sorts it out. Garage changed timining belt so after abour 4K it should still be warrantied or if the other garage hasnt put enough or the wrong oil then they should sort the mistake!!! only time will tell i will update tomorrow. Off to avis in the morning on the AA stay mobile so at least i have a car for 72HRS then after that Warranty Direct should be able to sort a hire car and pay the repair the bills. They have been good so far!!!

 

[deetim2]

The Car has been looked at the garage where the belt was changed. He has told me this isnt down to the belt being changed. I disagree. he claims that another garage has put the wrong oil in the engine... i have assurred him this is not the case.

DAMAGE
Cylinder 2 piston sheared and smashed.
Cylinder 4 bent and broken valves.

Any ideas becuase in my opinion this kind of damage can only be caused with a timing problem...

 

[Alastair.]

oh s**t me thats bad, timeing belt must hav slipped more than one tooth or the oil has been wel over filled

 

[Andyman]

Worrying times.

Garage looks to be trying to get out of any responsibility and if you havent touched the car since the garage did the belt surely it has to be something they havent done right??

2nd opinion and advice from experts in the know is probably your best bet before you potentially get turned over for a big bill due to a garage cocking up

 

[jack_davey]

hmm.... strange one. Is there any other damage on cylinder 2? because it might not necessarily be a timing problem, if something else has caused that to happen then it could in theory make the belt slip.

 

[deetim2]

When the belt was changed the mechanic trashed the pre tensioner for the aux belt. this came of and shredded 3 times in 72hours. i have had a ticking noice from the engine at 3k revs but not able to diagnose..told it was possibly alternator failure... obviously not

 

[Andyman]

Think youve got your answer.

Damaged one of the aux pulleys when tensioning, damaged pulley split the aux belt which snapped and took / skipped the cam belt and threw the timing out

 

[lemonnobby]

For a piston to shear no way is it snap timing for a vavle to shear yes cos there only hollow and designed to break?bend when the belt goes. but number for cylinder sounds like the crank pully has come undone and its slipped around

 

[deetim2]

Thanks for all your advise and info. i have paid an independant mechanic to go in an invetsigate why this has happended should have his report in the morning then i will know who to press on!!! All i know is that i have looked after this car and the problem only started after the timing was changed!!! what i nightmare... feeling really down!!

 

[fraserd007]

sorry to hear about the bad news dude, hope it all gets sorted, what garage was it at? paid a little more than most places for my replacement aux/cambelt tensioners etc but so glad i did, hillpower cant recommend nick enough. keeps us posted mate.

 

[deetim2]

hi for every one thats shown interest in this i have an update.

i went to the garage to have a look at my engine and boy what a mess. the valve has fallen into the piston and i now have a massive hole in piston 2 i mean massive about 2" or more.

the independant mechanic couldnt put this down to an inocrrectly timed up engine or oil damage so it just general wear and tear. my warranty company has spoken to me and advised they have spoken to the independant engineer and have told me i have a claim and they have instructed the original mechanic to find a full engine (low mileage). will be calling them today to get final confirmation they are covering this and hopefully jobs a good un!!! should only pay £25 excess and 10% of the engine the rest including labour should be covered.

i expect all of you to keep your fingers crossed and if anyone would like to know the warranty details for themselves then just ask, its bailed me 3-4 times this year!!!!

 

[foxspeed]

gutting mate for ya

dropped valve not good - lucky you had a warranty

just make sure you try and find out some history of the replacement engine etc - you dont want the belt going on that one

 

[ChrisD172]

Id be inclined to take the car elsewhere if the warrenty folk are paying, if they ballsed it up once they could well do it again

 

[deetim2]

Id be inclined to take the car elsewhere if the warrenty folk are paying, if they ballsed it up once they could well do it again

definatley see where your coming from but the warranty say its to be replaced there!!! had the argument with them and if there paying i dont get much say. i found a fully remanufactured engine with a 60K gaurentee so i have passed the details to the mechanic.

 

[wingy23]

hi mate just wonderin if i could have the details for your warranty so i can look at gettin it for my car thanks

 

[MARTYN ARCTIC BLUE 182]

Yeah, me too please

 

[deetim2]

Yeah, me too please

Hi All,

i am now back on the road. The warranty company is Warranty Direct. i have been suprised with amount of claims that have gone through and they have just sent a renewal price out of just £310. i have had 2 rear shockers, 2 rear springs, 2 front springs and a full engine replacement out of them for a measley £300 premium. i had to pay an excess of £25 per claim but thats it!!!! Highly recommended.

IM BACK ON THE ROAD AND THE CAR FEELS GOOD!!!!