2.2 petrol timing belt

**thechief** · 19th April 2010, 13:54

Drove my car yesterday and parked up for the night with no apparent problems or noises. Went out this morning and car wouldnt start. I called the breakdown people and the guy has told me its the timing belt.

I'm told this is very bad news. Could anyone tell me what is the best and worst case scenario here in terms of cost and an idea of what the costs might be in either case.

Its a 2003 2.2LS petrol. Has 117k on the clock but had a f.sh. to last year.
The car is only worth maybe 1500 quid so if its going to be massive money clearly it wont be worth it

Cheers in advance

**Penfold101** · 19th April 2010, 13:59

Yes - the problem is your breakdown people. It's a timing chain for starters, not a belt...

if it had gone on your last journey you'd have known about it. When you say it doesn't start, does it turn over and not start or simply not move at all...?

**wanna veccy** · 19th April 2010, 14:02

**rushy** · 19th April 2010, 14:06

More than likely what has happened is when you've started it there has been no oil pressure in the tensioner so the chain has jumped a few teeth. Worst is a new head, con rods and pistons so effectively a right off and least is just a new chain kit at £130 for parts but expensive to fit.

**thechief** · 19th April 2010, 14:18

Originally Posted by Penfold101

Yes - the problem is your breakdown people. It's a timing chain for starters, not a belt...

if it had gone on your last journey you'd have known about it. When you say it doesn't start, does it turn over and not start or simply not move at all...?

When I try to start it all I get is like a whirring noise. The breakdown guy said it was definitely a timing chain problem.

**wanna veccy** · 19th April 2010, 17:14

does it try to start( turn over) and just not fire into life.

**GAZWAH** · 19th April 2010, 17:19

is it the engine whiring or the starter motor???

**thechief** · 19th April 2010, 23:52

Its just like a whirring - not the usual turning over. There is no clunking so
it appears its not the starter motor.

Had a mechanic out and he says its the timing chain. Says he will need to remove the head to check the pistons, valves etc and repair/replace
whatever is needed along with a new timing belt etc.

Says maybe £400 - £500, maybe more

. Ah well not much I can do bar pay it.

**DaveW555** · 20th April 2010, 19:12

If I were you I would get him to check the timing, set it to where it should be (if necessary), fit a new tensioner and then do a compression check on the engine before he takes the head off, could save you a good chunk as well.

**Kit** · 11th May 2010, 14:04

hi there. new to site. am buying a 3ltr V6 diesel (56 reg) next week and wondered if anyone could tell me if it has timing belt or chain?
cheers for any help