The S---t hits the fan - again.

[NegevLandRover]

Defender 110 300 TDI (1997)

While in 5th gear, 100 KPH on a flat road and empty of gear = not under load.

Suddenly a whooshing sound, power disapears and then a few seconds later the engine dies - as soon as the power went clutch in and coast to a stop.

Bonnet up, a load of engine oil on the right side of the engine and one of the bolts that centers the camshaft is missing. Could not see the other 7 bolts as it was dark and some are out of site but what I could see seemed fine. Engine turns over but rockers do not. Plenty of oil in the sump so not dry.

So - broken timing belt caused by camshaft comming loose ?? What should I be expecting and how much do I have to open to check for damage ? Engine out or not ? Head off or not ?

TIA

Adam

[jcwcooper]

Sounds like the cambelt been as the rockers arent moving.

Best to take it apart and take a closer look

No need to take the engine out, whip the rocker cover off and see if you can see any bent pushrods if so take the timing cover off too see what happened to the belt. If it is broken get a new belt and tensioner set the timing and put it back together. Might be worth taking the head off too but thats up to you.

Dave.

[cipx2]

I guess you're talking about one of the 8 bolts that secures the cam follower guides in the block, see http://forums.lr4x4.com/index.php?showtopic=24695

Without the bolt the guide fell on the cam shaft, the shaft jamed, the belt broken, prabably some valves were hit by the pistons (possibly bent pushrods, broken rockers).

If you're lucky you should be able to fit the bolt back (taking of the vacuum pump or the breather lid off and/or with the help of a magnetic pick-up tool and tweezers). Then replace the bent push rods and broken rockers (if any), new cam belt kit and you're on the road again.

The worst case scenario would be a cyl head off if you're not lucky (if something's damaged re the followers or the camshaft).

[white90]

When mine melted a piston it did this oil everywhere and it loosened the camshaft sprocket

I can't recall if the dowel was also broken.

Timing cover first then Head if needs be before entire strip down.

[NegevLandRover]

Up-date.

After checking the timing belt and finding the bolt that holds the pulley on th end of the camshaft broken, the camshaft roller broken/missing and broken and bent bits in the rocker assembly we decided to take the engine out and lift the cylinder head. Loooots of work to be done putting it all back together and will only know the full extent of damage on Sunday when I am next free to look at it all.

Did the timing belt about 30 K ago and a 40 K service about 3K ago so not for lack, nor because, of TLC

Adam