Arrgh my timing belt just snapped!
 

My timing belt snapped this morning in rushour traffic. Luckily, I was stationary when this happened & didn't hear any 'breaking' noises.

I'm therefore hoping I might get away with just a timing belt replacement & no valve or piston damage! But that's a big maybe.

What is really annoying is the fact I was going to change it within the next few weeks anyway as it's always better to change them more frequently than recommended....ah typical eh?

Anyone else had a timing belt break on a 2000 1.3i, when stationary with no other damage? I'm still hoping....fingers crossed.

RE: Arrgh my timing belt just snapped!
 

Oh, I do know it's an interference engine by the way. I just wondered if there is a possibility of no valve damage as it literally went while the engine was ticking over. I just let the clutch out & ....dead.

I intitially presumed I had stalled! So I tried to start it a few times. Would this have caused any damage too?

Next thought was it could be an electrical fault & hence not sparking as it had been very wet.

However, it dawned on me that it was the timing belt and a look confirmed this!!!

Car now at garage where they're of the opinion that as it went whilst stationary I might of got away with little or no valve or piston damage.

RE: Arrgh my timing belt just snapped!
 

I hope you don't have damage but I highly doubt it. Sorry.

RE: Arrgh my timing belt just snapped!
 

Yeah, I think I'm just deluding myself:(

RE: Arrgh my timing belt just snapped!
 

Think about it... at idle your engine is rotating at 700 rpm or so; it can't stop in less than one rev. Sorry... and good luck. Maybe you can pickup a head at a salvage yard?

How many miles on the car?

RE: Arrgh my timing belt just snapped!
 

Yeah, I know, it's a very small chance but not unknown. Still awaiting the outcome. I did actually have the same thing happen with another car years ago. Timing belt snapped at traffic lights while ticking over & almost a miracleas no damage. Few pounds for a belt and an hour or so work.So I live in hope!

85k on the clock now. Last timing belt changed at 40k. Was going to change it this month....just my luck.

S'pose the next best hope is a head (from salvage yard), head gasket & belt kit.

Oh well[X(]

RE: Arrgh my timing belt just snapped!
 

Wow! I thought belts were supposed to last 60k! I guess they say 60k or 4 years, whichever comes first...

RE: Arrgh my timing belt just snapped!
 

Yeah, I can't believe it snapped. Was definitely 3 years ago at 40000miles!

So let this be a warning. A timing belt can snap after only 45k miles. Still seems a bit dodgy to me. Pehaps the guys at the 40k service didn't change the belt after all? Who knows, they certainly charged for it in the service history.

Fingers crossed, it's just a few bent valves at the most! But hey, wont know until the guys at the garage take the head off.

RE: Arrgh my timing belt just snapped!
 

Oh my goodness! You're making me scared! I've got almost 71,000 miles and haven't replaced my timing belt yet. I checked the Service Manual and it recommends a check for the timing belt at 60k (which I kinda skipped) and mandatory at 90k. Hopefully I can make it until the tax refund in March, because I don't have funds for it right now.

RE: Arrgh my timing belt just snapped!
 

Well, the kits in the UK are around £20-30 and it's not a big job- an hour and a half at most for any competant mechanic.

So, might be better spending a little now than a lot later. Basically if your timing belt snaps at any speed you can pretty much say goodbye to you engine.

RE: Arrgh my timing belt just snapped!
 

Arrgh, all valves bent or broken!!! £500 to get fixed. Don't have time(or obviously transport)to source a second hand head as I need to be back on the road for work ASAP.

So, looks like I'm paying the price.........

Oh well, still a cheap car with the extra £500

RE: Arrgh my timing belt just snapped!
 

After the garage almost doubled the price...can you believe it? I told them to forget it.

As if by magic they phone me back later having 'found' a complete reconditioned head for £250.

So, total parts are now running at around £300.

However, I wouldn't trust them as far as I could spit! I expect they will now charge me an excessive labour charge. It's £35 per hour!

What do you guys think is a reasonable time to change a timing belt & head? Of course it will need an oil change & filter too.

I think around 4 hours max. I've helped my father change a head and timing belt in around a couple of hours before. By the way the guy at the garage was going on they expect me to believe 10-12 hours for that.....they must think I fell of a Christmas tree!