Cam belt gone, what do I do?

[slipper]

On the way to work this morning my cam belt snapped on me. Bit of a stinker, but what do I do now?

Car was recovered back to a local (ish - curse the 10 mile RAC limit ) garage where I asked them to assess the damage.

I assume I'm in for a bill of a hundred quid or so just for getting the head off and having a look. I doubt I'm lucky enough to not to have damaged any valves (is this possible?) but I want to minimise any cost from here on in.

I don't know whether to put a new or recon motor in (108k on current one), look for a standard rebuilt head, go for a modded head, re-build the old one myself or leave it to the pros to do the lot for me.

I've got use of another car for 2 weeks but need my car back by then, and I'm very skint so cheapest option would be good.

Anyone happen to be in Macclesfield with a spare 16v ported head lying around and happy to help fit it to my car for beer money? (cough cough RobT?? )

 

[Dolly_Gti]

your bound to have wrecked a few valves, if it was me id go searching hi and low for a head, off a writeoff scrappy/ebay ect.. get a headset with gaskets and bolts.. then armed with a haynes for the tightening torque of the headbolts go for it come weekend. running again for next week.

Some places will sell you a recon head and take yours in part ex thats always an option might save you a few quid, dont keep your search to, i need a head for a seat youve got more chance if you go looking for VW's with the same engine.

 

[Tom B]

When the cambelt snapped on my old 2.0 16v, the previous owner paid £2500 at a main dealer getting it all sorted.

If it was me, I'd be looking for an ABF lump or an ABF'd Ibiza.

 

[andyj]

get searching on Cgti and E38 forums.... vaguely recall there being an ABF or two kicking about on there....

will post up any links if I find them

 

[andyj]

knew I'd seen one somewhere......

http://swdubs.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5097

 

[andyj]

The engine/.head from this would do the job....

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SEAT-TOLEDO-2...QQihZ008QQcategoryZ100918QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[andyj]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-0-16v-engin...oryZ9889QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[mr.aston]

When the cambelt snapped on my old 2.0 16v, the previous owner paid £2500 at a main dealer getting it all sorted.

Wow! thats a crazy amount! My cam belt is due to go.... squeals like a virgin! Its due though as im at 59,000. The local seat dealership want £280 for a timing belt & tensioner change! Is this normal?

 

[Tom B]

Try the small garages, their labour rate will be a lot less!

 

[Dolly_Gti]

DIY £20 and 2 hours max

 

[mr.aston]

i don't trust myself with anything that could kill the car!

 

[Hayz]

Mine really needs doing its done 66k opps..

Done 62k when I bought it so have no idea whether it has been change, although seeing the guy who had it ran over a motorcyclist I can imgine it's not been looked after so hasn't been changed lol

 

[cordobabrendy]

Just to cheer you all up, mine slipped at 40k even with regular servicing you cant account for when its going to happen, 8 intake valves, tappets, gaskets, labour etc gets pricey. Then shortly one of the exhaust cam tappets imploded and wrecked the head. Ideally you want a ported 1.8 16v kr head, they are more restrictive std than the abf so when modded release more power (to a point where tbs etc come in that is!)

 

[slipper]

Just to cheer you all up, mine slipped at 40k even with regular servicing you cant account for when its going to happen, 8 intake valves, tappets, gaskets, labour etc gets pricey. Then shortly one of the exhaust cam tappets imploded and wrecked the head. Ideally you want a ported 1.8 16v kr head, they are more restrictive std than the abf so when modded release more power (to a point where tbs etc come in that is!)

Seems i am the lucky boy. The head is off and on the bench at the garage, stripped of vavles etc. I went to see it yesterday and there's not a mark on any of the valves. Apparently the belt didn't snap but stripped the teeth from the (I presume) crank end of things. Valves must have been in just the right spot to avoid contact with the pistons.

About 4 more hours labour to build it back up and it's going back in, old valves n all. Gutted I haven't got a bit of cash around, as I could have sent it away for porting etc but so be it! I'll settle for a total of about £450 total including new belt etc.

Thanks for the links Andy, some right steals there and would be all over them like a rash if I had a driveway and garage to play with but alas I haven't, and an engine change on the public highway might be a bit of a challenge!

Lesson to all, bite the bullet and get the cam belt done sooner rather than later and save yourself the stress I've just been through, never mind the extra cash!

 

[mr.aston]

Well.... a quick update here.

Seat dealer wanted £280 to supply & fit the timing belt & tensioners.
I bought the belt & tensioners for £23.15 & £25.50 respectivly from my local VW garage... took them to a local garage who fitted THE LOT for £50!

Total = £98.65

Total saved by not taking it to my Seat dealer: = £181.35!!!!

The milky bars r on me!

 

[surcalation]

When my cam belt snapped on my old one I had to replace the engine, valves looked like banana's in the aftermath. Didn't help when I was doing the national speed limit at the time, ooo feck, to the hard shoulder from lane 3 it is