Mk4 GTi 1.8 20V Snapped Cambelt - What do I do?

[MK4GtiMan]

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

[DarkGti]

**edit ** 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!

[Wazzzer]

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

[Ivor Mk4 Turbo]

Sorry to hear of your woes, fella.

On the plus side, though................................  Time for a BAM upgrade!!

[dai-cymru]

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 

[jamie16v]

are these classed as safe engines or what or is it a case of bent valves and smashed pistons time?..

[mikemk4gti]

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.

[Wazzzer]

no not safe engines mate, it will smash the valves if it has

[MK4GtiMan]

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?

[Wazzzer]

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.