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Arse! Tin-top cam-belt snapped.
TimC - 16/1/07 at 08:13 AM

The cam belt on my cheappie Nova commuter snapped on my way home last night.

The 1.2 is supposedly the only engine that damages in most cases. Bloody typical.

However, it snapped at idle so I'm hoping I've got away with it. What do you think?

macnab - 16/1/07 at 08:34 AM

Bummer, I’ve been there before...

You'll just have to take the head off and have a real good look at the damage. Inspect the valve guides as I found hairline cracks in them. Valves are cheap, I originally got quoted £1200 to get it done, all up it cost under £150 to do myself and that includes a machine shop pressing in new guides.

You were just very lucky it happened at idle.

flak monkey - 16/1/07 at 09:26 AM

A novas not worth more than £25 so why spend £150 fixing it?

iank - 16/1/07 at 09:36 AM

Thought the standard fix for a snapped cambelt in a nova was putting an XE in...

TimC - 16/1/07 at 10:02 AM

quote:
Originally posted by iank
Thought the standard fix for a snapped cambelt in a nova was putting an XE in...



If I didn't have my MNR arriving in a fortnight, I'd be tempted!

arrybradbury - 16/1/07 at 10:37 AM

Count yourself lucky it happened in the UK on your way home from work. Try having one snap whilst towing a caravan (yes, i know, but my parents like them!!) home from France - great fun being foot passengers and not getting my luggage back for 3 weeks!!

UncleFista - 16/1/07 at 10:42 AM

On a car that cheap I wouldn't even bother taking the head off, I'd get a replacement belt and fit it, if the car doesn't run, bin it...

macnab - 16/1/07 at 11:05 AM

or... Rescued attachment boom.jpg
Rescued attachment boom.jpg

TimC - 16/1/07 at 12:10 PM

quote:
Originally posted by UncleFista
On a car that cheap I wouldn't even bother taking the head off, I'd get a replacement belt and fit it, if the car doesn't run, bin it...


Makes perfect sense, except that it cost me more than your average old Nova.

£700 bought me a car that was at the time near-mint - 2 lady owners etc. Since then its developed a hole in the bulkhead that means that the carpet is out and now this. BUGGER BUGGER BUGGER!

macnab - 16/1/07 at 12:33 PM

should have bought a nissan...

SeaBass - 16/1/07 at 01:41 PM

quote:
Originally posted by macnab
should have bought a nissan...


ROFL - now that is a good joke!

Cheers

trogdor - 16/1/07 at 02:00 PM

don't kock nissans, they are missunderstood cars ours is great!!

starts better than a mercedes benz and it even has sat nav now!

jollygreengiant - 16/1/07 at 02:16 PM

Remove cam box top cover, check for broken fingers.
If Fingers broken then undo head bolts, CAREFULLY remove cam box, remove broken fingers, refit thrust pads to all valves, refit new/old fingers, replace cam box carefully and CAREFULLY refit cylinder head bolts and re-tighten. Time camshaft up, time bottom pulley and fit new belt.

Start engine.

Enjoy.

Rossy - 16/1/07 at 03:02 PM

On a car that cheap I wouldn't even bother taking the head off, I'd get a replacement belt and fit it, if the car doesn't run, bin it...

Wise words...which I ditto..
|Forget a nissan...I have summat far more fun sor sale...

Anyway...If you're after another cheap runner try a Rover 214...16v I got one for my day for £180 2 years ago he run it for a year till I found him an SEi model (Leather etc) for £110...cost me £200 for Mot (doing the work myself) easy to work on bar the O2 sensor which is a bartendant to do. Now my Aunt is running around in the old red one..just fitted an alternator and my Dads new Sei is running fab too...They drive real well too..

Just a though, plenty on E-bay..

gazza285 - 16/1/07 at 03:32 PM

quote:
Originally posted by macnab
You were just very lucky it happened at idle.




That's usually when they break as the slow speed of the cam introduces pulsing loads on the belt.

As for buying a Nissan, the cam belt on my Sunny stripped a few teeth as I slowly changed gear coming down a motorway sliproad, when I let the clutch out the belt picked up again, but miles out of time. It bent all bar one valve, three cam followers and three of the valves were doglegged. Took me ages to straighten them.

Petemate - 16/1/07 at 04:52 PM

Tim - take heart from the following.
Some years ago, when I was out with my lad looking for a cheap van for him, we had been "going some" in the wife's car of that time, a Cav Mk 111 CD, the one with the tall gearing. We had seen how fast it would go somewhere in Hampshire on a nice long straight. Well, at the end of the sprint, at a tee junction at a momentary idle, the engine just died. We lifted the bonnet, turned the motor over, nothing. Took the dizzy cap off, turned it over again, rotor arm stationary. "HOLD IT" I shouted and we ended up at home courtesy of a very nice man. Found 4 teeth stripped off the belt. Fitted a new belt, checked compressions, all OK. Fired up - no more probs. Lucky I know, but you may also be as lucky? A belt for the Nove should only cost a few quid from a motor factor, and yes everyone, I know one should always fit a new tensioner on Vauxhalls (and most other makes come to that) but we are talking cheap as poss here, and if it is OK, THEN follow with a new tensioner next. It is an easy job.
HTH
Pete

rusty nuts - 16/1/07 at 07:35 PM

As already suggested just fit a new belt and try it. Have got away with it on a couple of 1200cc Novas.

TimC - 16/1/07 at 07:50 PM

Cheers all.

Will update once the belt's on tomorrow.

TimC - 17/1/07 at 04:12 PM

The beast lives to fight another day! Just need to get the hole behind the pedals sorted and she'll be in rude health!

Petemate - 17/1/07 at 07:31 PM

Well done Tim - reprieve from the gallows!
Pete