Ouch. Big Bill Ahead I think.

Von Smallhausen · 27 Apr 2006 at 13:37

I was driving to work the other day when I heard a clunk and the battery light came on. I had no power and pulled over on to the hard shoulder. I was picked up by the AA who said the fan belt had gone, bit it sheared in such a way that he thought the timing mechanism may be affected. Oh dear !

I took it to my mates garage who replaced the fan belt but it still wouldn't work, saying the timing was affected but without a further look he couldn't say for sure. I am expecting worse case about £700 for the repair as if the valves are bent then the job is a big one.

I could do without this at the minute. I am hoping the belt has only affected a couple of teeth and that is the problem and a cheaper bill is on the way.

paradigm · 27 Apr 2006 at 13:39

If you pulled over immediately, it could just be a case of the timing being out, hence its not firing correctly. Doesn't mean anything is necessarily damaged.

Cassius Clarke · 27 Apr 2006 at 13:43

was your car a peugot ?

(my other halfs sister had a problem like this in her 206)

paradigm · 27 Apr 2006 at 13:44

Its an MR2 MK2 Turbo IIRC. Unless he is talking about his A4?

Von Smallhausen · 27 Apr 2006 at 15:26

It was the A4 that went kaput. I was doing about 75 on the motorway when it went. I pulled over immediately and was at a stop within 10-15 seconds or so

paradigm · 27 Apr 2006 at 15:28

Fingers crossed that its done no/minimal internal damage then

Ransom · 27 Apr 2006 at 15:43

hope its a cheap repair for you

Spanker · 27 Apr 2006 at 15:59

Did you Push the clutch in straight away? You said you lost power so i guess no!

iCraig · 27 Apr 2006 at 16:35

How hard was the engine working?

Higher the revs when it goes, the more damage usually.

Malachy · 27 Apr 2006 at 16:54

iCraig said:
How hard was the engine working?

Higher the revs when it goes, the more damage usually.

do we have to explain this again........................
750 rpm = 12.5 revs per second , thats 12.5 impacts of valves to piston in 1 second at 750 rpm. It makes no difference if the engine is on idle or at max rpm to how much damage is done, this is an olds wifes tale.Sometimes you get lucky, and it wont bend a few but its still best practice to replace them all since chances are the have all taken a wack. also chances are your crankshaft shells have taken a good battering too fom hitting the valves so may need replacing.

so lets do this one again. when your cambelt snaps or breaks, lower rpm does nto mean there will be less damage. it is still likely to be fubard.

iCraig · 27 Apr 2006 at 16:59

No offence, but I'm going to believe my mate who I know is a qualified car mechanic, than somebody off an internet forum.

nicRob · 27 Apr 2006 at 17:05

nm...didnt read all posts

TripleT · 27 Apr 2006 at 19:04

Gutted

I'd definately be expecting bents valves etc personally :/

Von Smallhausen · 27 Apr 2006 at 19:09

If it were another car I suppose I would get rid of it, but being a TDi A4 I think it is worth repairing as I will get another 100k and more from it when it's done. My plan was to run it into the ground anyway.

It has high miles .... 165k, but it has been excellent apart from this. I think it's worth the repair.

neil-ste · 27 Apr 2006 at 19:12

If you fancy taking it to an independant instead of the stealer Vee-Dubs in (Edit: Bill Quay, knew it would come to me) come highly reccomended, Gilly is the fella you want to speak to. I'll try and dig out some contact details if you'd like.

Von Smallhausen · 27 Apr 2006 at 19:15

neil-ste said:
If you fancy taking it to an independant instead of the stealer Vee-Dubs in (place just along from Heworth Metro, can't think of the name yet, will come back and edit ) come highly reccomended, Gilly is the fella you want to speak to. I'll try and dig out some contact details if you'd like.

Thats appreciated bud, but it's in hand. Thank you though.

neil-ste · 27 Apr 2006 at 19:16

No problem

Third Opinion · 27 Apr 2006 at 19:41

People might remember my 2K+ repair bill for my Alfa 156. Initially I suspected it was because I missed a couple of services but now I have the car back the reason has become clear.

When the car had done 32K I had the same problem of the engine dieing at idle. The timing belt had slipped and done damage to the valves. It was repaired under warranty and I thought all was sound. 14 months later the engine starts knocking just after I overtake another car. This time the crank bearings had gone and not covered by any warranty.

Timing belt slip CAN knack your engine at idle.

P.S £700 sounds a bargain for a head rebuild on an Audi.

[TW]Fox · 27 Apr 2006 at 19:44

iCraig said:
No offence, but I'm going to believe my mate who I know is a qualified car mechanic, than somebody off an internet forum.

To be honest, a grease monkey at a back street garage would be the last person I'd take advice from

Gilly · 27 Apr 2006 at 22:18

neil-ste said:
If you fancy taking it to an independant instead of the stealer Vee-Dubs in (Edit: Bill Quay, knew it would come to me) come highly reccomended, Gilly is the fella you want to speak to. I'll try and dig out some contact details if you'd like.

Uh?