Broken Cam Belt – Diesel – How much damage?

[Miles69]

Hi,

Just switched the car off and when my wife tried to start it she couldn’t get it going. After a quick inspection the AA recovery man said the cam belt had snapped and that we’d probably need a new engine.

I’m just wondering as we were lucky enough to be starting the car when the belt snapped, could we have escaped major damage? Do the valves on a 2.5TD open far enough to be hit by the pistons? Can I check the valves are opening by turning the cam by hand? My wife says there was no unusual noise when she switched it off, or when she tried to start it, so I’m wondering if the valves have escaped damage?

Any answers gratefully received. M

[sparkymik]

We did this in our Astra cost £1200 so hopefull that you get away with it


Sparky

[westonwarrior]

The only way to know is to ring wheelquick or another localish bongo garage

or if you feel up to it fit a new belt make sure the timing is correct and pray

[scanner]

SFAIK you are the first person to suffer a cambelt breakage - I certainly haven't heard of one before.

I think a new "engine" is probably a bit pessimistic, even if you've bent a valve or two. Some haven't needed that after cracked heads and blown gaskets.

[peanutcrusher]

did the garage change the cam belt, it so take it up with them sound like it could be bad workmanship.

[Miles69]

To cut a very long story short. Cam belt snapped today

yes, this is probably the first bongo with a snapped cam belt.

[scanner]

Depending on engine design it could have wrecked the pistons, hence engine rebuild on the cards.

If you've ever seen a diesel piston and I have no reason to believe Bongo ones are any different, I think you will have heard something if one got damaged.

Diesel valves are usually much weaker than diesel pistons.

[Miles69]

Oh God, this car is more trouble than its worth …

… the cam belt isn’t broken. After removing the cam belt cover it appears that the drive to the fuel pump and camshaft has broken. Looks like its gonna be expensive

[mikeonb4c]

Oh God, this car is more trouble than its worth …

… the cam belt isn’t broken. After removing the cam belt cover it appears that the drive to the fuel pump and camshaft has broken. Looks like its gonna be expensive

Ouch! To be fair to the poor old Bongo as a design, this is v. unusual. For the rest, any car can throw big bills - we know that. Not that any of this helps when its you facing the bill and I appreciate that. The question is, how much do you want a Bongo and is this Bongo in otherwise v. good condition. If it is in good nick then someone will probaby snap it up cheap and fit a new lump rather than mend the existing one should you decided you don't want to do that yourself.

I wonder if any of the other damage/work could have caused this failure.

Sorry to hear the news and keep us posted if you can face it.

[Miles69]

Well, after phoning several engine specialists I made a call to AVA who put me in contact with their engine man. He suspects he knows what the problem is and tells me it can be fixed without removing or rebuilding the engine. He will still have to check the conditon of the valves and I wont know if there is damage to the valves or head until he's fixed the cam/fuel pump drive. He's collecting the car Thursday so I will update you when I know more. Full marks to AVA and their engine man (Simon) for their help and knowledge.

[westonwarrior]

great news
It's allways worth going to the expert even if they seam a little expensive, the time they save by knowing and by doing the job properly makes them far cheaper in the long run

[mikeonb4c]

Well, after phoning several engine specialists I made a call to AVA who put me in contact with their engine man. He suspects he knows what the problem is and tells me it can be fixed without removing or rebuilding the engine. He will still have to check the conditon of the valves and I wont know if there is damage to the valves or head until he's fixed the cam/fuel pump drive. He's collecting the car Thursday so I will update you when I know more. Full marks to AVA and their engine man (Simon) for their help and knowledge.

Fingers crossed for you dude

[aitch]

good luck hope it all works out OK for you fingers crossed keep us up to speed on this one....

[Miles69]

Thanks for your support everyone. Bongo's been collected today so as soon as i know whats happened I'll post an update.

[stevedon]

if the cam belt only drives the fuel pump i would have thought that there would be no damage at all