Epic timing belt fail...

Fred · April 25, 2009, 09:44:55 PM

Quite frankly! I`d be amazed if a VW specialist said to put a timing belt on
and Time it up to see what happens. I wouldn`t have him anywhere near
my car and i shudda to think he`d do that to anyone`s.
Valves are Cast iron and usually fracture when bent and more to the point,
if you turn it over and a valve can`t seat properly because its Bent then it
may Snap the head off it and try to compress it between the head and the
Piston wich will either lock the engine solid or Hole the Piston under load.

I Strongly suggest that The Head is removed to asses the Damage first.
You may well find that some Inlets are bent too.

It has been known to straighten valves but only ever so slightly bent ones.
If you take an old Valve and grip the stem in a vice and strike the edge of
the Head with an Hammer then the Head will Break off.
It`s amazing how easy it is too. Even easier with a bent Valve.
So don`t do the belt bit, Get the Head off and check the Damage before
anything else.
Also check the Valve Guide`s where valves are bent for ovalness.

Take pics and post them for further assistance.
There are people on here who Really know their stuff and more to the
point, the G40 Engines.
Good luck.
It`s unusual for a timing belt to brake at 15-20k so see if owt`s been
chaffing at it.
It`s also possible that it was fit too tight wich lessens their life as well.
Genuine Vag Timing Belts are £9 including the Dreaded so fit Vag.
They also fit the Pulley`s properly in their profile, unlike a recent GSF purchase.

Fred.

breadman · April 25, 2009, 10:15:22 PM

Fred is dead right.
Get the head off.

LiamM45 · April 25, 2009, 11:25:59 PM

Thanks for the advice, it really is appreciated. I shall have a word first thing Monday morning with the guys who have the car. Like I've said previously the insides of engines are not my strong point and I do need a bit of guidance

I'm at the point now where I feel I should take the car off the road and get the little niggles sorted out properly and rebuild this engine with a bit more grunt and with reliability in mind. No wonder people think I'm mental... I just can't let a G40 die! There's a list as long as my arm of stuff I want to do to the car, so now it's time to do it.

I dubbed the car "MoneyPit", how true! Haha.

LiamM45 · April 28, 2009, 05:08:17 PM

Well, had a call today, head came off - they never tried just putting a timing belt on, as they agreed it was too risky.

Not that it mattered.

8 bent valves
4 smashed pistons.
1 fucked cylinder head

Possibly more damage to the bottom end too.

Going to inspect it myself tomorrow and discuss plans. It will be rebuilt but not with the PY engine in.

PeteG40 · April 28, 2009, 06:38:09 PM

ouch - looks like a block/head is needed - not sure what i'd do - suppose it depends on cash...

1341 bottom end + bvh - if you can afford it

Robin · April 28, 2009, 09:11:00 PM

sorry to hear that!

as pete said go for 1341cc mate!

LiamM45 · April 28, 2009, 10:07:47 PM

Not sure if I want to dump that much money into a G40 engine.

Initial plans are to go a different lump with more BHP standard. It won't be keeping it original but my car is a GT conversion, so no loss really!

I'll post some pics as things get done if it's of any interest to people here

Fred · April 30, 2009, 10:22:01 AM

Yeah! Post pics Liam.
It`s always good because of reply`s/post`s and the fact that People
with G40 knowlege will reply wich in turn will help You gain Knowlege
of Your engine.

Gives us more reading fodder, and keeps the site Alive.

Fred.

hayesey · April 30, 2009, 10:58:27 AM

ouch, sorry to hear this! Sounds like it couldn't be much worse.

I guess one big question is the condition of the block itself. If it's rescueable with just a rehone then you might be able to find a spare set of pistons from someone one here who has converted to 1341cc. Then you;ll need to get hold of a head.

The other option is to just get hold of a g40 bare engine off someone.

LiamM45 · April 30, 2009, 12:05:09 PM

Well, after a long, and pretty hard, think, I've decided to cut my losses and break the car to try and re-coup some money towards a new Polo based project (mk4 'loon I'm afraid). After all, it's not a 'proper' G40, so I'm not breaking anything rare or valuable.

I can't justify putting any more money into the car and I might as well split it for parts so other Polo owners can use the good bits.

If anyone would like anything off the car just drop me a PM and we can sort something out.

Andy · April 30, 2009, 01:05:22 PM

There's a complete G40 engine conversion on CP for £600... Sell the loom, ECU, 'box and charger and the head/block won't owe you much.

LiamM45 · April 30, 2009, 01:18:06 PM

The thing is Andy, my shell has been in two accidents now, and to build the car up how I want I would end up spending a LOT of money. It needs too much money spending on it, which I just can't justify any more.

I've had my fun, now hopefully people can salvage bits from my car to keep having fun with their G40s, etc.

I'd rather put the money into building something different, but keeping the sleeper theme. I'm breaking the G40 to fund a Mk4 Polo saloon base car and the fitting of a full roll cage, hopefully ending up with a Mk4 Polo saloon 20vT by this time next year. I know that's gonna be a bit frowned upon, but hey ho, I fancy something a bit different!

Andy · April 30, 2009, 10:33:18 PM

Polo 6K saloon 20vT is the daily I wanted to build for myself, so will be very jealous!

Varley · May 01, 2009, 09:04:51 AM

Nightmare. Can see why you've come to that decision but still a real shame.

Hope you get your new toy up and running soon as.

hayesey · May 01, 2009, 09:30:04 AM

QuoteI'm breaking the G40 to fund a Mk4 Polo saloon base car and the fitting of a full roll cage, hopefully ending up with a Mk4 Polo saloon 20vT by this time next year. I know that's gonna be a bit frowned upon, but hey ho, I fancy something a bit different

no I certainly wouldn't frown on that! It'd be a great project, if you do it make sure you put lots of pics on here.