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Model specific boards => Golf mk4 => Topic started by: MK4GtiMan on 22 June 2009, 18:26

Title: Mk4 GTi 1.8 20V Snapped Cambelt - What do I do?
Post by: MK4GtiMan on 22 June 2009, 18:26
Hi All - I hope you can offer me some advice for a very sad Gti Driver.  I've only had her since march and she's been fine however, the oil light has been coming on and off for a little while even though there's plenty of oil in the motor.  I thought initially the sensor was playing up so I did not pay too much attention - Mistake No 1!!

I was on the motorway yesterday and suddenly lost power (would not go above 60mph) and the turbo was silent but the motor was still working.  After few more miles the car just cut out, no serious noises but simple refused to start.

I called the men in yellow and he rekoned the cam belt has snapped maybe due to low oil pressure??

My question is two fold:

1: Do you think he's right?

2: Do I rebuild the orginal engine, get a scrap engine or cut my losses!!

I'd appreciate your advice.

Steve


Title: Re: Mk4 GTi 1.8 20V Snapped Cambelt - What do I do?
Post by: DarkGti on 22 June 2009, 18:31
**edit :grin:** why dont you just check see if the cambelt has snapped there is a plastic cover on the left side of the block just take it off and see if there is a cambelt there or if there is see if its loose! could also be a turbo problem!
Title: Re: Mk4 GTi 1.8 20V Snapped Cambelt - What do I do?
Post by: Wazzzer on 22 June 2009, 18:46
I'd like to know how exactly low oil pressure could snap a cam belt...

Does the engine sound ok when you tried to start it? If the cam belt was snapped you'd only be turning the bottom end over (and beating your valves) so I doub't you'd have any compression so it would sound totally different on the key
Title: Re: Mk4 GTi 1.8 20V Snapped Cambelt - What do I do?
Post by: Ivor Mk4 Turbo on 22 June 2009, 18:58
Sorry to hear of your woes, fella. :(

On the plus side, though................................  Time for a BAM upgrade!! 8)
Title: Re: Mk4 GTi 1.8 20V Snapped Cambelt - What do I do?
Post by: dai-cymru on 22 June 2009, 19:28
as wazzer said spin it over if its like a higher pitch noise than normal the belt is snapped i cant quite see how loq oil pressure would affect the timing belt unless the engine has seized  :undecided:
Title: Re: Mk4 GTi 1.8 20V Snapped Cambelt - What do I do?
Post by: jamie16v on 22 June 2009, 19:44
are these classed as safe engines or what or is it a case of bent valves and smashed pistons time?..
Title: Re: Mk4 GTi 1.8 20V Snapped Cambelt - What do I do?
Post by: mikemk4gti on 22 June 2009, 20:18
I'd like to know how exactly low oil pressure could snap a cam belt...

Does the engine sound ok when you tried to start it? If the cam belt was snapped you'd only be turning the bottom end over (and beating your valves) so I doub't you'd have any compression so it would sound totally different on the key

Yeah, I'd say that if the turbo has gone, burnt all your oil then seized the engine the belt may have gone. as said above take the top cover off the cambelt and have a look, also check the turbo.
If this has happened it would probably be cheaper to stick another engine in it.
Title: Re: Mk4 GTi 1.8 20V Snapped Cambelt - What do I do?
Post by: Wazzzer on 22 June 2009, 20:36
no not safe engines mate, it will smash the valves if it has :sad:
Title: Re: Mk4 GTi 1.8 20V Snapped Cambelt - What do I do?
Post by: MK4GtiMan on 22 June 2009, 21:03
Cheers Guys - As you can tell I know F*** All - It's quite high pitched when I turn it over but no knocking or anything.  I notived earlier I could hear the tapets - The AA bloke mentioned if the oil pressure was low it could cause a valve to stick and put too much pressure on the cam belt?
Title: Re: Mk4 GTi 1.8 20V Snapped Cambelt - What do I do?
Post by: Wazzzer on 22 June 2009, 21:07
TBH it sounds like he is giving you worst case and strange scenarios on what has happened. Best bet is to pop the cover off and have a look for the belt, at least you'll know where to start.
Title: Re: Mk4 GTi 1.8 20V Snapped Cambelt - What do I do?
Post by: james2 on 23 June 2009, 13:02
I dont know how he could say you cam belt is snapped without looking, have a look at the belt only a little cover on top to take off to look with too clips that pop off.One more thing my uncle had a vectra twin cam the water pump fell almost off making the timing belt well lose it stopped the engine starting but he could still turn it over we saved it with a new belt. :wink:
Title: Re: Mk4 GTi 1.8 20V Snapped Cambelt - What do I do?
Post by: Car nut on 23 June 2009, 17:49
Sorry to hear your news, are you any nearer diagnosing it

The problem with these breakdown fellas is they get 15mins per job to diagnose or try and start a car.

They need something to put on the sheet, theyll tell you anything some of them  :wink:

Let us know what you find....
Title: Re: Mk4 GTi 1.8 20V Snapped Cambelt - What do I do?
Post by: Ant1981 on 23 June 2009, 18:21
I dont know how he could say you cam belt is snapped without looking, have a look at the belt only a little cover on top to take off to look with too clips that pop off.One more thing my uncle had a vectra twin cam the water pump fell almost off making the timing belt well lose it stopped the engine starting but he could still turn it over we saved it with a new belt. :wink:

And you know he didn't look?
Title: Re: Mk4 GTi 1.8 20V Snapped Cambelt - What do I do?
Post by: GOLF_STU on 23 June 2009, 22:52
the mk4 20v suffer with sludge and crap blocking up the oil pick up in the sump hence the oil light comin on. would probably say worst case and its siezed up with the turbo goin pop first  :sad:
Title: Re: Mk4 GTi 1.8 20V Snapped Cambelt - What do I do?
Post by: danny_p on 24 June 2009, 10:25
you really have to look, undo the gard and see if the belt is still there.  if it's snaped ,   if it's missing a load of teeth by the lower pully or snaped and missing a load of teeth the head or intermediate shaft has siezed,  but thats what driveing with low oil pressure dose to an enigne
Title: Re: Mk4 GTi 1.8 20V Snapped Cambelt - What do I do?
Post by: MK4GtiMan on 02 July 2009, 20:11
Right - All over this problem now

I've taken the cover off and the belt is in tact....... however the top toothed-pully seems really loose ??????

I have found the problem as there's a threaded bolt that looks like it has sheered off at the bottom not much by the looks of it found it just below the top pully

The top pully looks like it is damaged as the locating tab has sheered off (well half of it)

I think this is better news....????
Title: Re: Mk4 GTi 1.8 20V Snapped Cambelt - What do I do?
Post by: jamie16v on 02 July 2009, 22:34
could be just as bad as a snapped belt in all honesty..
i would take the head off and have a look... alot of work but could save you money..