Don't really know what to do :(

15th May 2013, 19:10

My gti has been through the wars recently, Problem after problem if i'm honest.
Basically my cambelt has slipped and is missing about 4 teeth, the cause of it slipping apparently is that the cogs that run the belt have rounded off. Dont know how that's possible apparently they are uprated kent ones so not cheap crap. My question is what would you guys do in this situation ?

15th May 2013, 19:25

crap it and sell for bits.
and get a vts

15th May 2013, 19:41

The cogs have rounded off? Are you sure that the belt was not just overdue a change and the teeth on the belt have given way? Well if its jumped 4 teeth then it will have bent some valves i would have thought. It all depends on how much your willing to spend to get it going again.

15th May 2013, 19:45

If the shell isn`t rotten then buy/fit another gti engine.

15th May 2013, 19:55

Shell is really good even the mot man commented on how clean it is underneath.

Why would i get a vts for when my gti is faster (when working)

I'm guessing that the belt was overdue but i have been told that the cogs are rounded off

15th May 2013, 20:36

Dear Skitts123,
How you doing again,
Firstly sorry you are still having problems.
Secondly, ( i don,t mean to be awkward ) but something isn,t adding up, cam sprockets cannot round off, they are case hardened and very tough, you have more chance of cracking the edge off one, if you were to hit it with a hammer.
Tell me what is going on here, your problem should be easy to fix, ( someone is giving you duff info )
Vince,

15th May 2013, 20:52

take the head off, fit new valves and seals/head gasket and then fit a new belt? job done

15th May 2013, 21:12

If your belt broke a few teeth off the timing gear, you are one unlucky guy. It is "nearly" impossible to break a metal gear with a rubber belt (if this was a timing chain, whole different story) and I say "nearly" impossible because I have been amazed by what some engines decide to do to themselves lol. The only situation I could see this happening is if you dont have covers on your timing belt and somehow a rock got caught up in the belt.

So, what I would do, if I was super attached to the car and wanted to deal with a possible top end rebuild, pull the valve cover to see if any of the valves are bent(if it skipped 4 teeth, chances are they are bent fairly bad). If the valves are bent, you will need to see what damage was done to the pistons. If the pistons are damaged, decide if it's easier to rebuild the current engine or find a decent donor motor to swap into it.

Without a doubt, you will have to at least get a new timing and valve kit, head gasket, get the heads planed, and all the work that goes with it.

15th May 2013, 22:01

So its not possible to round a cog off?

15th May 2013, 22:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skitts123

So its not possible to round a cog off?

Nigh on impossible with a rubber belt,more likely the belt has become worn to the point where the teeth have gone smooth & unable to grip the cog.Hence its slipped mate.

15th May 2013, 22:13

I would get someone who knows what they are on about to give it the once over, then probably buy a replacement J4/jp4 if its chewed anything up. opposed to rebuild it.
Doesnt sound like you really know whats going on.

Then, i would remember that the VTS and GTI are identical cars and stop saying my GTI that is broken is faster than a VTS.

£xxx buys you a better VTS, thats all, as the saxos are worth less.

15th May 2013, 22:18

tbf i am shit with cars and i dont really have a clue whats going on

15th May 2013, 22:30

As i have no idea with engines i'd call it a day if i happend to my VTS. But thats me.

15th May 2013, 22:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prickle

As i have no idea with engines i'd call it a day if i happend to my VTS. But thats me.

lol id just replace the cambelt and see what its like

15th May 2013, 23:15

As said if the shell is good get the engine fixed/swapped. It is easily possible dont give up on it

15th May 2013, 23:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackhawkpilot107

If your belt broke a few teeth off the timing gear, you are one unlucky guy. It is "nearly" impossible to break a metal gear with a rubber belt (if this was a timing chain, whole different story) and I say "nearly" impossible because I have been amazed by what some engines decide to do to themselves lol. The only situation I could see this happening is if you dont have covers on your timing belt and somehow a rock got caught up in the belt.

So, what I would do, if I was super attached to the car and wanted to deal with a possible top end rebuild, pull the valve cover to see if any of the valves are bent(if it skipped 4 teeth, chances are they are bent fairly bad). If the valves are bent, you will need to see what damage was done to the pistons. If the pistons are damaged, decide if it's easier to rebuild the current engine or find a decent donor motor to swap into it.

Without a doubt, you will have to at least get a new timing and valve kit, head gasket, get the heads planed, and all the work that goes with it.

How's he going to see if the valves are bent just by pulling the the cam covers off?

16th May 2013, 11:04

The cogs are Kent ones and apprently they are aluminium that's why they have rounded. Like I said I'm no mechanic and don't have a clue what's going on

16th May 2013, 11:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skitts123

The cogs are Kent ones and apprently they are aluminium that's why they have rounded. Like I said I'm no mechanic and don't have a clue what's going on

A number of members have posted advice now giving the correct guidance. (New head, then get somebody who's half decent to do the timing belt). You don't need to keep repeating yourself saying you don't have a clue. The only thing you can do is trailor it to a garage and have them repair it.

Just expect a hefty bill. If this bill exceeds the value of the car then I'd either sell it with a spare head or break it for parts. You'd get your money back then. In the meantime, take the cam cover off and look at the pulley. You'll be able to see if they're rounded or not.

16th May 2013, 11:56

As above, just strip the head off get it skimmed at a local machine shop, put it back together with new valves/gaskets and get a mobile mechanic out to do your timing belt if your unsure.

It'll not be that bad, it'll just take a few days with parts being ordered and that jazz.

16th May 2013, 11:57

Anything you can do yourself will save you some money in the long run.

16th May 2013, 12:16

you are looking at big bills either way, unless you go to someone whos cheaper on here I would estimate your average garage are going to charge £300-400 minimum to do the work and thats probably being conservative

16th May 2013, 12:32

There's a head on eBay for £125 with is ready just the throw back on the car. You'll not need many other parts, gaskets and all that. It's fairly easy to remove the old one and fit this. If you could do that you'll be saving a chunk of change.

16th May 2013, 15:38

Dear Skitts123,
I have read all of everyones very kind replies and there is some very good advice.
My personal opinion would be, to NOT take your car to the garage you have been dealing with. I would ring up or drive round to get quite alot of different quotes and find somewhere you feel comfortable with.
With regards to your engine, with the cylinder head that is currently fitted to your engine;- This cylinder head will need to have both camshaft " sprockets " replaced with new ones or decent used ones would be OK. ( There are 2 reasons why your sprockets need renewing;- 1= Is that the teeth have stripped. and the most important reason is that;- 2= They DON,T have the correct " holes " to fit the special " tools/dowels " needed to " Time up " your engine to remove your old cambelt and for you to remove your cylinder head to see what parts may be damaged.

I still think that it is well worth a shot, putting two good used "standard"
(Not Kent Cams) camshaft sprockets and a new cambelt and giving that a go, but that is still your decision.
Your other option would be to go for a good used cylinder head and having a new cambelt fitted
There are loads of people on here that can help you with almost anything that your car can throw at you. There are also some people who now very little about cars, they don,t get discriminated

I hope this helps and please don,t be affaid to ask anything, there are some very very clever bods on here.
Vince,

16th May 2013, 18:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gandi699

you are looking at big bills either way, unless you go to someone whos cheaper on here I would estimate your average garage are going to charge £300-400 minimum to do the work and thats probably being conservative

I am willing to pay it mate it's worthless dead, Thanks for everyones help will keep you all posted

16th May 2013, 19:21

Talk to people on here, ask what to purchase and buy the parts. I'm sure someone on here who's close to you would fit them in a morning for a bit of cash or a crate of beer

16th May 2013, 19:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gandi699

How's he going to see if the valves are bent just by pulling the the cam covers off?

That was a post in error on my part. I typed valve cover and was thinking cylinder head

easiest way to test without taking the head off is a compression test

20th May 2013, 21:30

Cars all sorted now, cheers for the help everyone

20th May 2013, 21:51

Big question, how much?

20th May 2013, 22:17

£230 all in, wasn't as expensive as i thought it was going to be

20th May 2013, 22:27

Not too bad.

21st May 2013, 20:42

Dear Skitts123,
Well done, I am so pleased you managed to get her sorted out

and also at a very fair price too

Vince,