Cambelt Question-Please answer?

Question

My cambelt broke but there was no clattering noise, does this mean that no damage to valves or pistons? And does anyone know the rough cost of getting this repaired best and worst case scenario.

The recovery company said it was loose, but don't know any more until I get it into the garage.

I was doing 30mph and stopped as soon as this happened. My car is golf 1.9 tdi se 90bhp late 99 model.

Your advise will be much appreciated.

Thanks

Answer 1

The best advice that I can give you is to have your vehicle looked at and the cam belt where possible replaced as this can end your car in quite a catastrophic fashion especially on Diesel engines where the cylinder pressure is much higher. It sounds like you need a full service on the car and in all probability this has never been done. Do you have a service history of the car? Service it now for our own safety.

Answer 2

Some cam-belts are designed to do no engine damage when they snap, others cause major damage and it can be cheaper to buy a whole new engine. I would phone a few reliable garages and enquire as to a price, If it can be changed with the engine in situ it will probably cost in the region of £400. Also I'd get the water pump changed at the same time, it'll save a whole lot of money rather than do it later.

Which part of the UK are you in as I know a very good mobile car technician who would give an extremely good price and does the job at your home.

Hope this helps and have a good day ;-)

Answer 3

VW Golf engines are not interference engines, there should be no valve damage. My recommendation is you change the water pump also while doing the belt, its cheaper to do it now then take it back apart in 2 months.

Answer 4

the only way you will know if there is any internal damage is if you remove the head, if the valves are bent it can mean replacing just the bent valves, however it could also mean replacing the damaged pistons (any damage to a piston means new pistons, not jut if there smashed), you could also be replacing the head due to damaged valve guides and valve seats.

If this is the case i would recomend looking at a replacement cylinder head, you may find one on ebay from a salvaged car or secondhand, the labour costs to replace valves, seats, lapping, collets and seals would be very expensive, the parts costs could be horrendous!

much cheaper to replace the head with a second hand unit.

Answer 5

Definite valve damage usually 2 but if your lucky 4(sorry) piston only clears head by about 1mm so any missalignment means valve gear damage.But on the bright side dead easy to repair

Answer 6

I have had a 1.9 golf with a snapped timing belt, there was no damage to the pistons or valves more by luck than anything else.

Best thing to do is get the belt replaced, have the garage do a compression test after starting the engine and hopefully the engine will be fine.

The golf diesel has practically bullet proof engine so hopefully things will be OK.

The cost for replacing the belt should be around £195.

Ja.

Answer 7

some engines cause no damage if thre belt snaps,others do...i cant recall if yours does...worst case if ithas cliped is a few bent valves,its not theend of the world...ive never actully seen a one smash a piston hey,dinted yes but not smashed.

Answer 8

Most diesels do cause expensive damage. But I have seen a Passat Tdi ( same engine ) with a broken belt which was OK when new belt fitted. So you might be lucky !

Ps The speed you are doing and the fact that you heard no noise does not mean a thing.

I had a belt go on a 16v 405 at 5 mph in a car park and 14 valves were bent :-(

Morning Desert Camel