My cambelt snaped at 60mph is it not looking good

Question

My cambelt snaped at 60mph is it not looking good

Answer 1

It might well have caused valve damage. Prepare yourself for a very big bill to repair the engine. It might be cheaper for you to buy a recon. engine.

Answer 2

Only an inspection of the engine will reveal the extent of the damage. It is in the lap of the Gods as they say. You could be very lucky and have only valve gear damage. You could have piston top damage as well. If the pistons are holed then the oil ways are clogged with alloy particles. If it is severe, an exchange engine would be the solution if the car is worth spending the cash on. Otherwise it's scrap.

p.s. Renew cambelts at half the recommended mileage.

Answer 3

Of course it depends on the engine type, but as already mentioned speed isn't the issue, it's whether the valves were hit by the pistons when the belt broke. If it's a non- interference engine you will be OK, because where-ever the camshaft stopped, the valves will not have been hit by the pistons. Even if it's an interference engine damage is not necessarily done.(if its an older Vauxhall you may get away with just cam followers) So before removing the head first check that the camshaft is in one piece and there is no obvious visible damage. Then replace the belt and turn the engine over by hand. If that is possible  try running the engine.If it fails to start or misfires then obviously it's a head off expensive job.

I have replaced the cam belts on several interference engines where no damage had been caused, although admittedly these were the lucky few!! Good luck!

Answer 4

Not good I'm afraid friend.

If the cambelt went at that speed, then the block would have suffered badly. It's likely that one of the rods would have sheared and could even have pierced through the block.

See if you can sell of the spares though. Good money can be made.

Also, steel and other metals are making mega money now, so maybe scrap the bits you can't sell (frame, etc.) or whole thing?

Good luck. Hope works out for you.

Answer 5

new engine think

Answer 6

You do not say anything about your car. If the car is worth repairing, i.e not too old, you may be better sourcing a complete engine rather than pay a mechanic to eventually diagnose that it will cost £hundreds to repair the existing engine.

Answer 7

You try to go more than 60mph or less than 60 mph maybe it will look good.

Answer 8

Give me exact car make, model, engine & age & I'll tell you - not all engines chew bits up after cambelt failure.

Answer 9

No I bet it isnt.

I think you'll need a new cylinder head mate.

Answer 10

Ooh, sounds painful !!!!!!!

Answer 11

It's not speed, it is engine RPM which is the killer - were you in second or fifth gear?

Answer 12

Hi, Just because the belt has gone its not the end of the world depending on the age of your car, condition & mileage, dont forget if the car has done up to a 100.000 the rest of the car will have done the same, You can take out and replace in a day providing you have the replacement ready, should you take that way change the cam belt/fan belt, power steering belt whilst the replacement unit is on the floor but make sure you check the condition, mileage out on the unit you are putting in. If the internal of you car is in good order & you are happy with it, it will work out cheaper in the long run

Answer 13

Chances are no the whole engine would have carried on at that speed but with every thing out off sync...pistons,the lot... you might be lucky chances are your not and looking at a new engine sorry

Answer 14

it doesn't matter how fast you are going.you either have an interference engine or a non-interference engine.any parts store should be able to give you that information.just have make model and engine size ready

Answer 15

it all depends on what sort of car you have got ,but it does not look good

good luck h

Answer 16

no not very, the head will have to come of to check for damage, you may be lucky, it all depends if you stopped straight away and switch of,    

Answer 17

call a good repair shop give them  year make and model

depending on model u can change the bent valve an some better to

replace engine

GOOD LUCK