timing belt broken

tattoo

Hi folks,

The timing belt on my motor has broken. I was driving along and the engine just went. It's a 01 laguna (please don't laugh). Got brothers mate to check it out and he recommended i just scrap the car. He said the whole engine could be fxxxed, 2500 - 3000 euro worth of damage.

Would it be worth my while getting the timing belt replaced and hope the engine is ok or should i just take his advice and get rid now.

As you can tell, i haven't got a clue about mechanics so all help would be very welcome

Green Hornet

Probably better to cut your losses and get rid. You could probably pick up a decent car for the money you will spend fixing the engine.

SV

You'd pick up another laguna for that money.
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=search&sortby=PriceAsc&maxrows=50&MakeID=24&ModelID=218&Year_Min=2001&GroupID=738

bazz26

Replacing the broken timing belt is not the issue here. The issue is the damage caused by the timing belt snapping, this can be quite expensive and in most cases it is cheaper to replace the engine than rebuild it.

If an engine rebuild is required your talking big money, if your looking at a replacement engine your talking big money. And the book value of a 01 Laguna is probably not going to be alot to be honest.

Its a tough decision to call really, I'd probably cut my losses here.

congo_90

i would recommend just writing it off and cutting your losses short. the damage done to the engine is always bad when the timing belt goes. for that sort of money you could nearly pick up a new one. Sad to say bye to a car but hey cars come and go. sorry to hear of your loss though

Captain Slow IRL

It's probably only gonna be a top end rebuild - price around to get an idea of the cost, it mightn't be as bad as you think.
If you could find a good dismantler/breaker yard, they might put a new engine in for a reasonable price.

And if you find a really good dismantler, get them put a honda engine into it!:D

Run_to_da_hills

Worst case scenario bent valves damaged pistons and bent rods = new block. You may be lucky and get away with just replacing the bent valves in the head either way it could cost you a few k on parts & labor. Had a Ford Escort 1.9 Diesel van that snapped a belt, was lucky and got away with just replacing 5 valves. It is worth whipping the head off and having a look before you wright it off.

Esel

Non-interference engines ftw!

Plug

esel wrote: »

Non-interference engines ftw!

There just old engines.

niceirishfella

inform yourself before you make a desision - call a breakers yard and ask for the price of a replacement engine. Then ask your mate(or a garage) how much it would be to change over the engine. Then, and only then can you make a decision - after 2 simple phone calls.

Best of luck.

giveth

Was the timing belt past its recommended life?

I ask because the timing belt in my old Ford went even though it wasnt yet due for replacement. Ford fixed the engine free of charge, even though the car was well out of gaurantee. Would have cost me 2 or 3 grand otherwise.

So check the mileage which Renault recommend timing belt replacement. I'm not sure Renault would have the same policy as Ford but its worth a try.

E92

Unless you get it done for a really cheap price, the best thing is to cut the losses and go and take the car to see the scrapman. That car is worth very little even it it wasn't faulty, so it's a false economy spending big money on it.

It makes the most sense to just go and buy another more reliable car.

TheDriver

I'd go with giveth, timing belts are guaranteed for certain time frames.

Run_to_da_hills

giveth wrote: »

Was the timing belt past its recommended life?

I ask because the timing belt in my old Ford went even though it wasnt yet due for replacement. Ford fixed the engine free of charge, even though the car was well out of gaurantee. Would have cost me 2 or 3 grand otherwise.

So check the mileage which Renault recommend timing belt replacement. I'm not sure Renault would have the same policy as Ford but its worth a try.

Ford had no choice in that matter. They produced a batch of dodgy 1.9 Diesel blocks for their cars and vans that chewed up timing belts for breakfast. Rather than a general recall they continued to manufacture this motor for years and then offered to replace the timing belts at as low as 40K in some cases with a cheaper labour rate than most back street garages.

smash

I'd say you could get a mechanic to rebuild the engine for less than that, and you never know, you might just need to put a new belt back on it.

Marcus.Aurelius

I'd scrap it and get a decent reliable car. It's just going to plague you as it gets older. See: http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=331& for new 2001 and

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=330& for older (up to) 2001

tattoo

Cheers folks,

Going to ring the dismantlers tomorrow ( no harm in checking ),but even if i do get one for a reasonable price that bloody car is going. Laguna, what was i thinking. Tbh scrapping the car could be my best option.

There is 51,000 miles on clock. It's due a service next month (was due).

Thanks for your help. I'll keep you posted

martinr5232

Let me know if your getting rid of it as it is.

E92

Surely that car had its timing belt done at least once in its life? 51k or not there's no way that car could still be on the first timing belt after 7 years.

If it is, then I'd be wanting to know why it wasn't changed before now. I would have thought the timing belt should have been changed last year/last time it was serviced.

Lets not jump the gun just yet. By that we shouldn't assume automatically that because it has a reputation for being one of the least reliable cars on the road and something goes wrong that it's all Renault's fault.

If a timing belt is meant to be changed every 6 years and this car is still on the original then you can't blame Renault for that.

Run_to_da_hills

tattoo wrote: »

Cheers folks,

Going to ring the dismantlers tomorrow ( no harm in checking ),but even if i do get one for a reasonable price that bloody car is going. Laguna, what was i thinking. Tbh scrapping the car could be my best option.

There is 51,000 miles on clock. It's due a service next month (was due).

Thanks for your help. I'll keep you posted

Would you not write a stinker to Renault in France telling them that their timing belt snapped 9000 Miles short of its recommended replacement, they might send you another one.

Guy:Incognito

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

Would you not write a stinker to Renault in France telling them that their timing belt snapped 9000 Miles short of its recommended replacement, they might send you another one.

It might have snapped before the mileage but as E92 says, if it's the original it's well over it's time limit.

If it's a city car then it could have the equivelant of another 20,000 miles of wear on it from sitting in traffic. The time is as important as the mileage. (says the guy driving an 8 yr old Xantia on the original belt:) it's on the list mind)