Skipped timing belt :-(

**HiAASZ** · 5th July 2010, 14:54

Hi all,

I bought myself a Vectra (55 reg) in the last six months and am starting to regret swapping my trusted Astra now.
Just recently The vectra shut down while I was driving on the motorway and would not start up again, had to get towed back home. Took it to my local garage and had it checked. It came up with the cam sensor, but he checked the timing belt and to his surprise he found a small plastic bit that was stuck in the teeth of the cog

. Which I am assuming made the timing belt skip and shut down.
He tried to sort the timing but still wouldn't start. He reckons the valves could be broke. Worse thing is he says I have to take it to the main dealers to get it fixed, because he is not geared up to do this kind job.
Have any of you guys had any experience with skipped timing belt and what kind of cost am I looking at if I get it done at Vauxhall? Would it need a whole new head, what is the cost with one of those?
Any help and advice is greatly appreciated.

Thank you

**nokiaman1978** · 5th July 2010, 17:00

sure the valves are designed to break before causing other dameage. someone will correct this if it's wrong.

**HiAASZ** · 5th July 2010, 17:07

Originally Posted by nokiaman1978

sure the valves are designed to break before causing other dameage. someone will correct this if it's wrong.

I hope your right, just spoke to the Vauxhall dealers they are asking for £400 just look at if the valves are broken. I have another independant garage who could do the job at a lot chaeper rate. I just hope it lasts and doesn't break again.

Thanks for your reply.

**mucklestone** · 5th July 2010, 17:08

It depends what engine. A lot of french and italian cars like fiat, peugeot renault etc are designed to break the valves first, but a few VW and mercs just dent the pistons and bend the valves. I think it depends on the engine, and how it broke (i.e what engine revs, load etc)

Don't regret getting rid of the astra, it could just as easily of happened to that as well its just bad luck!

**johnynoi** · 5th July 2010, 17:35

This happenned to me a few months ago, took it to a main dealer and the valves were broken but the pistons survived, cost £1000 to put right including the new chain etc

**platty** · 5th July 2010, 18:41

Hi mate If you have the 16 valve engine it should break the cam followers rather than bend the valves. Replacements are aprrox £6 each from vauxhall and means you don't have to remove the cylinder head, if you have the 8 valve then you could be looking at bent valves = head off = ££'ss.

**wanna veccy** · 5th July 2010, 19:42

if u can't do a compression test on each cylinder then whip the cam cover off and have a look at the valve springs if any are still down although the cam lobes aren't touching them then that valve will be bent and prob damaged the valve guides too,if u can remove the head ur self and take it to a head specialist in ur are,they will charge u about £200 to strip the entire head clean skim it and replace the damaged parts,then about £130 for a head kit then put it all back together.hth

**DaveW555** · 5th July 2010, 21:12

What engine is it?

**HiAASZ** · 6th July 2010, 14:39

Originally Posted by DaveW555

What engine is it?

Hi all,

Thank you for all your replies it has been very helpful.

Its a 1.9 cDTi (150 bHp) engine, they are nice to drive when working

. I have managed to get the car to an independent garage who say they can fix it. Should cost a lot less then the Vauxhall dealers. I just hope there isn't more damage.