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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: Amzy-Bear on 19 October 2009, 13:26

Title: Cambelts gone. need help ?
Post by: Amzy-Bear on 19 October 2009, 13:26
Hi guys,
my cambelt snapped the other week  :sad:
so i need to replace the cambelt, and i believe i will need to replace the valves too because its not a safe engine apparently and the valves will need to be done. i dont know much about the engine and stuff, but some people think it will be cheaper to replace engine. i would prefer to get this one fixed.
Anyone know roughly how much for parts ? and labour ?

Its a 1.6cl Mk3.

Any comments would be helpful.

Thanks
Title: Re: Cambelts gone. need help ?
Post by: Wayne on 19 October 2009, 13:29
I thing it would be easier to replace the engine.
Title: Re: Cambelts gone. need help ?
Post by: Len on 19 October 2009, 13:31
You need to take the head off to assess the damage! As well as bent valves there maybe some piston damage.

If you are not doing the work yourself then it may well be cheaper to get a secondhand engine and swap it!
Title: Re: Cambelts gone. need help ?
Post by: Amzy-Bear on 19 October 2009, 13:39
Yea ill have to have a look, i know a mechanic who will give me a quote when i speak to him, so he should do it cheaper than most rip-off garages, but is it a hard job to do ?
thanks 4 replys
Title: Re: Cambelts gone. need help ?
Post by: Len on 19 October 2009, 13:42
Not hard if you have some good tools. Worst bit of taking head off is the head bolts! If one of those snaps you have major problems.
So not really a job for a novice.
Engine swap for the same is relatively easy.
Title: Re: Cambelts gone. need help ?
Post by: Amzy-Bear on 19 October 2009, 13:46
okay well ill keep a look out.
thanks for advice
Title: Re: Cambelts gone. need help ?
Post by: gtigolfthree on 19 October 2009, 14:15
I have heard of people getting away with it but as already mentioned best to remove the head and have a look, might be the perfect oppertunity to stick a 2.0L in.
Title: Re: Cambelts gone. need help ?
Post by: Horney on 19 October 2009, 15:01
Stick a new belt and tensioner on, time it up and see if it runs ok. Will only cost you about £30 and an afternoons work. If it works then yay! If not well you've only lost £30.

Nick
Title: Re: Cambelts gone. need help ?
Post by: axewielder on 19 October 2009, 15:11
Stick a new belt and tensioner on, time it up and see if it runs ok. Will only cost you about £30 and an afternoons work. If it works then yay! If not well you've only lost £30.

Nick
worth a shot
Title: Re: Cambelts gone. need help ?
Post by: gtigolfthree on 19 October 2009, 15:52
Or if you know anyone thats replaced replacing there belt ask them for the old one.
Title: Re: Cambelts gone. need help ?
Post by: Amzy-Bear on 19 October 2009, 16:57
Stick a new belt and tensioner on, time it up and see if it runs ok. Will only cost you about £30 and an afternoons work. If it works then yay! If not well you've only lost £30.

Nick
worth a shot
might just give it a go, nothing to lose.
cheers
Title: Re: Cambelts gone. need help ?
Post by: DarnPB on 19 October 2009, 18:22
Seeing that you have nothing to lose, remove the plugs and turn the engine over by hand on the crank pulley. The camshaft will stay in position, then see if you feel any contact between valves and pistons. You can also shine a powerfull torch down the bores onto the top of the pistons. If there was any damage there, you will defiately see it. Also, take the cam cover off and turn the camshaft over by hand and watch the tappets. If one or more of them stay put when they should be rising towards the dwell of the cam lobe, then the valve stem is bent.
As Horney has already mentioned though, for the sake of 30 quid, you could just try your luck. It wouldn't be a waste as obviously, if you were to replace the engine, you would replace these items anyway.
I though these were clearance engines! :undecided:
Title: Re: Cambelts gone. need help ?
Post by: gazpowells on 19 October 2009, 20:35
Stick a new belt and tensioner on, time it up and see if it runs ok. Will only cost you about £30 and an afternoons work. If it works then yay! If not well you've only lost £30.

Nick
worth a shot

+2

you might get away it  :smiley:
Title: Re: Cambelts gone. need help ?
Post by: Len on 20 October 2009, 09:36
Do DarnPB's second suggestion first! Take plugs out and remember to mark the HT leads to each cylunder! Then do as he suggests to see if valves bent.

Great tip DarnPB!  :wink:
Title: Re: Cambelts gone. need help ?
Post by: DarnPB on 20 October 2009, 12:41
Do DarnPB's second suggestion first! Take plugs out and remember to mark the HT leads to each cylunder! Then do as he suggests to see if valves bent.

Great tip DarnPB!  :wink:

 :smiley:
Title: Re: Cambelts gone. need help ?
Post by: Len on 20 October 2009, 13:41
Be interesting to know if they are total clearance engines!
Title: Re: Cambelts gone. need help ?
Post by: bigstuff1984 on 20 October 2009, 23:02
im a mechanic, Its highly likely that there would be some valve damage. You mite beable to buy a new head off ebay complete with valves and cams for £200 ish. u have to make sure u get the right one to the engine code. Valves cost between £5-£10 a valve. Then would need bedding in with grinding paste!!! Also if your taking head off then i would advise to get the head skimmed. thats cost bout £50. Head set bout £100 with head bolts. I reckon it would cost u bout £500 ish to have the latter done with labour.

Cylinder leak test will tell u bout any bent valves
Title: Re: Cambelts gone. need help ?
Post by: DarnPB on 21 October 2009, 12:53
Head bolts are about a quid each or so. Head gasket set, about 30. 2nd hand head I would not spend much more than 50-60. The real cost comes if there is piston damage. £500 is far too much to spend.
Title: Re: Cambelts gone. need help ?
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 21 October 2009, 13:09
£500 is a realistic price if it goes into a garage.
Also if any of the valves are bent then its likely the guides will also be damaged.
The only way to tell for sure is to remove the head.
Title: Re: Cambelts gone. need help ?
Post by: axewielder on 21 October 2009, 17:09
just gota new head with all valve gear offof ebay for 31 dollah,  but could be piston damage too
Title: Re: Cambelts gone. need help ?
Post by: Amzy-Bear on 02 November 2009, 19:15
im a mechanic, Its highly likely that there would be some valve damage. You mite beable to buy a new head off ebay complete with valves and cams for £200 ish. u have to make sure u get the right one to the engine code. Valves cost between £5-£10 a valve. Then would need bedding in with grinding paste!!! Also if your taking head off then i would advise to get the head skimmed. thats cost bout £50. Head set bout £100 with head bolts. I reckon it would cost u bout £500 ish to have the latter done with labour.

Cylinder leak test will tell u bout any bent valves
Okay well thanks for that, deffo not spending that much on a head, went to a local VW Spares place today who quoted me £75 + Vat which i thought was a little steep. But just got paid the other day and looking to get her on the road.dont wanna spend more than £250 to get her back on the road.
Title: Re: Cambelts gone. need help ?
Post by: Amzy-Bear on 02 November 2009, 19:18
Head bolts are about a quid each or so. Head gasket set, about 30. 2nd hand head I would not spend much more than 50-60. The real cost comes if there is piston damage. £500 is far too much to spend.
yh deffo, thats the sort of money my matey reckoned aswell. i think il change the belts and tensioners and see what happens, then if its not good, get a head off ebay or here or somewhere. cheers for your comments mate,v helpful  :smiley:
Title: Re: Cambelts gone. need help ?
Post by: Matty-MK3 on 02 November 2009, 19:30
Seriously. Spend £30 on a cambelt kit, fit it, it's easy.

Try to start the car. We've had a GTi on here recently which snapped it's cambelt, new belt and it ran!

Do it, you need a cambelt anyway.
Title: Re: Cambelts gone. need help ?
Post by: Amzy-Bear on 02 November 2009, 19:33
yea i went into GSF today and got quoted £37 ex vat for a kit,
with cambelt, timing belt and tensioners. i think lol
Title: Re: Cambelts gone. need help ?
Post by: Matty-MK3 on 02 November 2009, 19:44
Worth it or re-read DPB's post on the first page! :afro:
Title: Re: Cambelts gone. need help ?
Post by: gtigolfthree on 02 November 2009, 21:22
I have heard a lot of storys of people "getting away" with a snapped cam belt and no damage. Even sugestions that this is a "clearance engine" i.e the valves can't hit the pistons if the belt snaps, so its surely worth a go replacing the belt and post the result and mabye someone  can confirm that or if the valves can and do hit the pistons when the belt snaps.
Title: Re: Cambelts gone. need help ?
Post by: Amzy-Bear on 03 November 2009, 20:08
Yeh will do, picking up a belt tomorrow. its just getting someone to pop it on, ill put a post up once its on.
Title: Re: Cambelts gone. need help ?
Post by: Matty-MK3 on 03 November 2009, 23:35
You could try yourself.

Once you understand the marks, it is very easy.

I think even Shady could do it! :shocked:
Title: Re: Cambelts gone. need help ?
Post by: gtigolfthree on 04 November 2009, 09:17
http://www.vwenthusiast.com/technical/TimingBelt/timingbelt.html
Title: Re: Cambelts gone. need help ?
Post by: Amzy-Bear on 04 November 2009, 11:06
is that the same as mine, loooks a little different.

mines a 1.6 cl, also my cambelt is over on the driverside lol
Title: Re: Cambelts gone. need help ?
Post by: gtigolfthree on 04 November 2009, 12:18
Sorry that's the 2.0L You will need a haynes manual.
Title: Re: Cambelts gone. need help ?
Post by: Wayne on 04 November 2009, 12:31
Sorry that's the 2.0L You will need a haynes manual.

Nearly the same engine, will not be much different to do.
Title: Re: Cambelts gone. need help ?
Post by: Matty-MK3 on 04 November 2009, 18:50
Sorry that's the 2.0L You will need a haynes manual.

Nearly the same engine, will not be much different to do.

+1.
Title: Re: Cambelts gone. need help ?
Post by: harlemex on 05 November 2009, 20:36
you dont need a new tensioner at this point. If you just want to check the engines okay just put a cambelt on, that way its only cost you about a tenner. If engine is okay, then buy a tensioner.
Title: Re: Cambelts gone. need help ?
Post by: Amzy-Bear on 19 November 2009, 11:59
well i cant do a cambelt myself, but ive been quoted £130 to fit a new cambelt, timing belt and tensioner. thats including the parts !! is that a good quote ? i didnt think it was too bad.
Title: Re: Cambelts gone. need help ?
Post by: Wayne on 19 November 2009, 12:36
well i cant do a cambelt myself, but ive been quoted £130 to fit a new cambelt, timing belt and tensioner. thats including the parts !! is that a good quote ? i didnt think it was too bad.

Yes good price.
Title: Re: Cambelts gone. need help ?
Post by: Len on 19 November 2009, 13:27
Same as I was quoted
Title: Re: Cambelts gone. need help ?
Post by: harlemex on 19 November 2009, 14:29
parts=30 quid. labour 1 hour=100 pounds. Rip off.
Title: Re: Cambelts gone. need help ?
Post by: daytona on 19 November 2009, 17:24
As said,just get the parts for now,but just put the belt on, take the plugs out and move it by hand,do not start and run it cos if it is damaged it could jam and snap the new belt anyway,so by hand to be safe.If all moves ok,replace the parts,but that does not indicate everythings fine.At the end of the day it is better all round to just whip the head off,should take no more than an hour if taken ye time.Dont for get the inlet and outlet will need removing.A new head gasket and bolts for futures sake will help anyway.Unless you had gasket probs u dont need a head skim,and whilst its off u might as well give it a de-coke if alls ok.Buy a haynes manual cos u will feel great afterwards that u did it yourself,and save a hell of a lot of money.Even if the head needs replacing,look for a second hand one IN GOOD CONDITION,and learn to do the work yourself.Tbh,its how mechanics done it when they where learning,they have to read and do the prectical work themselves,so why not you??
Title: Re: Cambelts gone. need help ?
Post by: evokid on 22 November 2009, 09:26
id deffo go with belt and time it up.....Very resilant engines...My crankshaft bolt sheard, pulley bounced around engine then in road whilst doing 80 mph!!! Timing belt came off, and was attempted to start by RAC!!!
But new belt/pulley and bolt and now back running fine for me ...2.0   8v engine 2E engine  (I did have a few other issues but not related to the initial incident)

But worth a try..... :smiley: