Hi,
Hoping someone can help.
Have recently bought the above van.

Was driving it to work this morning, just pulled out of a junction, through 1st, 2nd 3rd and the engine abruptly stopped.

If I try and start it again, it seems like the starter motor is just spinning.
However, if I put it in gear, turning the key moves the wheels / car - so I'm assuming that all bottom end is ok.
So, that makes me think there is no compression / no cam belt.
I can't look until tonight now. Is there anything specific I should check...I assume I can just take the rocker cover off and see what's happening.

If it is the cam belt, can I just spin the camshaft by hand and check all valves go in and out ok, or do I need a more scientific test before deciding whether to get a new belt fitted.

Thanks guys,
Richard.

 

oohh 1.8d ...snapped belt springs to mind...pull the timing belt cover off and have a look...the tensioner/idlers are prone to failure on these and then in third gear as you say you were i would be saying belt valves and prob snapped camshaft and caps...new 2nd hand engine matey is the cheapest option or a 2nd hand head. sorry to be the bearer of bad news
although might be something completly innocent!!

 

cambelte failure i'd say! On these engine's it's not uncommon that no other damage has been done, so stick another belt/tensioner on it, turn it over by hand a few times to make sure it's free and see what happens.

 

If he gets away with no damage with a belt snap travelling at least 30mph (3rd gear) and then turning it over in and out of gear (not his fault as he wasnt to know) he can pick my lottery numbers this saturday. Fingers crossed it is ok but in my 10 years in main dealer parts dept the only time i have known no damage , and very rarely is on a belt snap on idle. But you never know.

 

just to add if u are going to try sticking a belt on...take the rocker cover of first...snaps when driving often result in a snapped camshaft or at least cracked camshaft retaining caps...

 

what he^^^ said 100%

 

As said I suspect there will be engine damage, even just by turning over momentarily normally resullts in bent valves etc, get a new belt and tensioner and check the valve train to see what it looks like, let us know how you get on.

Martin