Car broke down

TheMilkyPirate

Hi was driving home tonight on the main road and my car just seized up, Heard a sort of grinding noise and it just lost engine power. Tried to start her back up again and it just makes a noise like it's trying to start but nothing happens. Anyone know what it could be?

Stheno

Timing belt possibly, does it sound like it's wheezing/squealing when you try to start it up?

Also what make of car is it?

Del2005

TheMilkyPirate wrote: »

Hi was driving home tonight on the main road and my car just seized up, Heard a sort of grinding noise and it just lost engine power. Tried to start her back up again and it just makes a noise like it's trying to start but nothing happens. Anyone know what it could be?

When was the last time you checked your oil?

Kenny Logins

Del2005 wrote: »

When was the last time you checked your oil?

About ten minutes ago. :pac:

TheMilkyPirate

Stheno wrote: »

Timing belt possibly, does it sound like it's wheezing/squealing when you try to start it up?

Also what make of car is it?

Yeah that's what it sounds like, It's a 98 renault clio. Nearly at the end of its life anyway but I can't afford a new car right now.

Yeah about ten minutes ago is when I lay checked the oil lol.

chrisb1

Any red lights on the dashboard showing prior to the car grinding to a halt

Stheno

TheMilkyPirate wrote: »

Yeah that's what it sounds like, It's a 98 renault clio. Nearly at the end of its life anyway but I can't afford a new car right now.

Yeah about ten minutes ago is when I lay checked the oil lol.

Don't start it up again, do you know when the timing belt was changed/due to be changed?

How much oil was in it?

TheMilkyPirate

Nope no lights on the dash prior to the break down. Oil was about an inch and a half up the dip stick.

Timing belt a big/expensive job??

Not sure when last changed must look into it.

Stheno

TheMilkyPirate wrote: »

Nope no lights on the dash prior to the break down. Oil was about an inch and a half up the dip stick.

Timing belt a big/expensive job??

Not sure when last changed must look into it.

The timing belt went on my car on the M50 during rush hour, exact same symptoms as you describe

It's not the belt you need worry about it's the damage done.

How many times did you try to restart it?

Cass

Apologies in advance for going slightly off topic.

Stheno wrote: »

It's not the belt you need worry about it's the damage done.

Driving pass the Johnstown Garden centre on the N7 many years ago and my 96 Vectra just died. Got out and the timing belt was gone. Got the car home, and over the next 3 days replaced valves, skimmed head, and rebuilt engine. Took her on a test drive, and all was grand.

Next morning passing the Johnstown garden centre (i swear to God) and the car died. Got out and reached into the engine took out the timing belt and seen it wasn't snapped. Then it dawned on me (don't laugh) that the fecking belt was in my hand. The tensioner wheel (idler) bolts were not tightened. One was hanging out, one missing and the third sheered off.

Back home, 2 days and another rebuild. I got away lightly as the damage was minimal. Just valves. No damage to pistons, cam or crank.

JohnBoy26

Cass wrote: »

Apologies in advance for going slightly off topic.


Driving pass the Johnstown Garden centre on the N7 many years ago and my 96 Vectra just died. Got out and the timing belt was gone. Got the car home, and over the next 3 days replaced valves, skimmed head, and rebuilt engine. Took her on a test drive, and all was grand.

Next morning passing the Johnstown garden centre (i swear to God) and the car died. Got out and reached into the engine took out the timing belt and seen it wasn't snapped. Then it dawned on me (don't laugh) that the fecking belt was in my hand. The tensioner wheel (idler) bolts were not tightened. One was hanging out, one missing and the third sheered off.

Back home, 2 days and another rebuild. I got away lightly as the damage was minimal. Just valves. No damage to pistons, cam or crank.

Cass

I can laugh now, but then .......................... not so much.


Was thinking a gallon of petrol and a Maguire & Paterson was a more satisfying fix.

TheMilkyPirate

Stheno wrote: »

The timing belt went on my car on the M50 during rush hour, exact same symptoms as you describe

It's not the belt you need worry about it's the damage done.

How many times did you try to restart it?

Between me and the lad who came to help at least 5 or 6 times....

Stheno

TheMilkyPirate wrote: »

Between me and the lad who came to help at least 5 or 6 times....

Fooked so if it's the timing belt.

Start checking out bangernomics, if it is the timing belt it will cost more than it's worth to fix.

Actually, a better description of the sound, did it sound like a smoker dying of lung cancer hacking up a bit of lung? Like hack hack hack wheeze, hack hack hack wheeze, as if it was desperate for a breath?

TheMilkyPirate

Stheno wrote: »

Fooked so if it's the timing belt.

Start checking out bangernomics, if it is the timing belt it will cost more than it's worth to fix.

Actually, a better description of the sound, did it sound like a smoker dying of lung cancer hacking up a bit of lung? Like hack hack hack wheeze, hack hack hack wheeze, as if it was desperate for a breath?

Not what I wanted to hear unfortunately

No just more of a screeching like an electrical screeching if that makes any sense at all.

ardle1

Stheno wrote: »

Fooked so if it's the timing belt.

Start checking out bangernomics, if it is the timing belt it will cost more than it's worth to fix.

Actually, a better description of the sound, did it sound like a smoker dying of lung cancer hacking up a bit of lung? Like hack hack hack wheeze, hack hack hack wheeze, as if it was desperate for a breath?

Ah now c'mon we don't know yet.... Could be 'non interference' engine! What car is it?
My timing belt went on a 2001 VW Passat AVB Engine, didn't know what had happened, I'd just come off a roundabout at low speed as was about to enter a shopping centre, anyway I also tried to start it at least 10 times,no joy, ... Long story short.... Got a call from main dealer 2 days later, 'that car is ready' 399€ timing belt,water pump, no damage. So basically it would depend on what engine you have and what speed you were doing on initial belt failure!

Sorry just saw that 98 Clio.

TheMilkyPirate

ardle1 wrote: »

Ah now c'mon we don't know yet.... Could be 'non interference' engine! What car is it?
My timing belt went on a 2001 VW Passat AVB Engine, didn't know what had happened, I'd just come off a roundabout at low speed as was about to enter a shopping centre, anyway I also tried to start it at least 10 times,no joy, ... Long story short.... Got a call from main dealer 2 days later, 'that car is ready' 399€ timing belt,water pump, no damage. So basically it would depend on what engine you have and what speed you were doing on initial belt failure!

Sorry just saw that 98 Clio.

I was doing about 85-95km/h when it went I'd say. Have the car back in the drive way now so Is there any way of telling if it's the timing belt by looking into the engine bay myself no?

dirtydiesel

This might help you, its a photo of the timing belt and its location.
clio.jpg

TheMilkyPirate

dirtydiesel wrote: »

This might help you, its a photo of the timing belt and its location.
clio.jpg

Thanks, is that the main belt on the left hand side of the engine block? If so that was intact after the incident.

dirtydiesel

TheMilkyPirate wrote: »

Thanks, is that the main belt on the left hand side of the engine block? If so that was intact after the incident.

Yes your spot on, thats it.

TheMilkyPirate

dirtydiesel wrote: »

Yes your spot on, thats it.

Thanks for your help, So that rules out the timing belt being the problem?

Cheensbo

dirtydiesel wrote: »

This might help you, its a photo of the timing belt and its location.
clio.jpg

Is that not the serpentine belt?

Timing belt is behind a cover no?

dirtydiesel

Well we can agree its not snapped as its still intact, it may of slipped and knocked the timing out.

Or everyone could be on the wrong track completly.

Have you any one who can take a look at it for you.

Are any of the pulleys loose or seized?

gk5000

Cheensbo wrote: »

Is that not the serpentine belt?

Timing belt is behind a cover no?

I agree with u Cheensbo.

My diagnosis would be:
a. Look in oil filler cap, where you can see camshaft
b. get someone to turn engine with key
c. If camshaft moves then belt ok, otherwise fooked

TheMilkyPirate

gk5000 wrote: »

I agree with u Cheensbo.

My diagnosis would be:
a. Look in oil filler cap, where you can see camshaft
b. get someone to turn engine with key
c. If camshaft moves then belt ok, otherwise fooked

I've done this it's quite hard to see into the oil filler cap but i can make out something when I look in that doesn't move when I start her up. The noise came from the right hand side {as you sit in the drivers seat} of the engine bay when it happened so I'd be nearly sure it's the timing belt.

I don't want to scrap it without knowing for sure though, If I uploaded a video of the engine trying to turn over could any of ye tell from the noise?

EDIT: Sorry for all the questions but I can't afford anyone to come out and look at it so would rather diagnose myself if possible.

Kenny Logins

Cheensbo wrote: »

Is that not the serpentine belt?

Timing belt is behind a cover no?

Yeah, isn't that just the auxiliary belt?

ardle1

How'd things turn out Milky?