HDI Engine won't start -no compression

[mbell666]

I just spoke to the garage who has my car after the fan belt failed (see viewtopic.php?f=5&t=3931).

The car won't start even with a new belt. The garage says they have checked the wiring and it appears ok. However when they try to start it it won't and when they release the key the engine continues to spin like their is no compression. They say the cam-belt (done about 45k) is still intact as the cam shaft is spinning.

They are going to check the timing on it and make sure the belt hasn't slipped a little. Can any one think what else it might be (triggered by fan belt failure) or anything worth checking?

Suppose some of the fan belt could have got into cam belt housing causing the cam-belt to slip a little.

Thanks in advanced for your input.

[steve_earwig]

No, cam belt slipped sounds about right, I wouldn't think it was anything to do with the engine management or owt. Probably best to change it too as it could be stretched...

[mbell666]

Ta,

If it is timing out will get new belt, water pump(inc new coolant) and possibly the tensioner and roller. (I reckon that about £100-120 +vat in parts + 3 to 4 hours labour)

It had crossed my mind to have the cam-belt done at 160k (about 1k ago), but i thought with the driving i do (55 miles each way of dual carriage way) it would be fairly low stress and so would be no prob to wait till 170k (55k on the belt).

Real pain in the arse thou, because garage hasn't had time to look at the timing. If i dunt get the car back tomorrow i will be on the train all week (which takes twice as long and cost more) because I won't be able to get home to get the car when the garage is open! (not to mention the cost of replacing the belts)

[jameslxdt]

if the belt has jumped they should pay to put it right, if they changed it in the first place, that belt is good for 96k or 9 years

[mbell666]

if the belt has jumped they should pay to put it right, if they changed it in the first place, that belt is good for 96k or 9 years

Its comepletty different garage (160 miles from the last garage). possible bits of the fan belt got in causing it to slip which wouldn't be other garages fault.

[jameslxdt]

if they had half a clue as to what they were doing then they should have recommended changing the fan belt at the same time as the cambelt, if the fan belt did shred/snap and hit the cambelt then it will certainly and have snapped that too

[mbell666]

t did have a new fan belt when I had the cam belt done (116k). I then replaced the fan belt at 150k (same time as first go at sump gasket). I then had to refit the belt at the weekend when I had a second go at the sump gasket (160k), as the fan belt had only done 10k I decide it would be fine to re-fit. But I must not have got it correctly tensioned or something as after 3 or 4 hundred miles it shredded its self.

The fan belt going is my fault really, But I would not have expected the cam belt to slip thou unless some bits of the fan belt got in the cam belt cover.

Garage the cars is now at has never done more than MOT the car (I only moved to the area 9 months ago).

I just want the car back and running as I need it for my week off the week after this one. If it has to have new cam-belt and stuff its not the end of the world but means other stuff I was thinking of doing to it won't happen.

[jameslxdt]

the tensioner is automatic, but they do seize i know mine is and occasionally squeaks, but the belt will usually only shred if its incorrectly fitted

[Welly]

I'd have thought that if the cam timing is far enough out to loose compression then it's far enough out to be hitting valves???

You can be lucky here on the HDi as when the piston hits a valve it can snap the cam cap off (like a sacrificial part) this could have happened I suppose but the garage would still see the cam turning through the oil filler hole without knowing it's been pushed off it's seat like.

They really need to get the cam cover off and have a good looky first.

I hope it's not too bad, and keep us posted as soon as you can fella.

*crosses fingers*

[steve_earwig]

It must have some compression, maybe it's only a few teeth out and just enough to stop it developing full compression as the valves open too early but not enough for deadly contact...

Fingers crossed too.

[mbell666]

Garage just rang, not sounding good. Bits of the fan belt in the cam belt cover. They are talking about whether i want to collect it or try a new cam belt on it!

I've asked the to pin it up and see how far the timing is out on the cam. Then I need to decide if its worth re-belting it. They claim none of the rockers have gone but i don't think they have had the rocker cover off.

Could really do with out this need to car next week and I am going to be moving so need to concerntraite on finding somewhere to live not on the car!

[mbell666]

Anyone any thoughts on how many teeth it could jump with out the pistons and valves meeting?

[mbell666]

They just rang again, was 11 teeth, but they aren't sure if its 11 teeth and 180 deg or not.

I asked them to belt it, may be the timing is out so the valves are opening as the piston is on its way back down. will just have to cross my fingers and hope for the best!

[mbell666]

Well they re-fitted the old belt with correct timing and it still has no compression. So it off with the head now!

Looks like no presents for people at xmas!

[TooT]

This sort of sh*t always happens at this time of year.

December 2002 my Saxo VTS blew its head gasket and took a chunk of alloy out of the head between pistons 3 and 4.
The head had to get sent away to a engineering place to get built up and machined down again. ££££££

I know exactly how you feel.