kjohnr2001

Hi guys - looked last night, not a broken belt but probably almost as catastrophic, the belt tensioner has completely fallen apart, ball-bearings dropping out of the cover etc. Apparently she was doing around 70 when it let-go, but she swears there was no clattering/pinging noises - I guess that could mean that the valves immediately went hairpin shaped, OR if God and all his little angels love me, all of the valves were closed and stayed that way (just saw a pig fly past...). Booked in to a local garage next week - fingers crossed - will keep you informed

hi all - new to the forum so please don't yell if this has been asked before....! Wife has a 1.8 petrol '53 plate 3 door with 54k on the clock. Driving home yesterday it just stopped running and wouldn't re-start - when recovery fella turned up, apparently he removed the top cam-belt cover, had a fondle and stated the belt had broken as it was loose - SWMBO (used to work as a service manager for Vauxhall, so relatively clued-up) said she thinks something had fallen off.......... Question 1; - if the cam-belt has 'gone' and she tried to re-start, is it likely to have lunched the valves/pistons/whatever, and if so, what is the rough cost of repair? Question 2; - anyone know of an indy in the north Colchester area they would recommend?