Snapped timing belt?

[chur1996]

I have a 2002 Clio 172 and was driving to work this morning, had only just set off and gone about a mile or so when I set off from some traffic lights.

Accelerated away, not heavily or anything daft as the engine was still cold. I then heard a 'slapping' noise from the frint, which sounded like I'd run over a piece of plastic or cable and it was spinning round the wheel arch.

The next thing, the power steering goes and the engine cut out....I coasted to a halt at the side of the road and feared the worst. It now seems fairly obvious that the 'slapping noise' was one of the belts having snapped and hitting a part of the engine.

I called the AA and they had a look at the roadside, he thought that the bottom of the engine seemed ok and was still moving/turning over but agreed it probably was one of the belts.

Now what is REALLY frustrating is that I had ALL the belts changed at the end of October! They really should last longer than two months I think....

What do others think? Likely to be much damage, and any idea on costs involved etc?

 

[pritchard182]

take it back to where you had the work done they should sort it out as a belt shoud last 70k or 5 years whaterver comes first m8

 

[Paul RN]

Can't you see if the belts have snapped?

 

[sean182cup]

as above belts should last 36k 3 years for ancillery belt and 70k 5 years for your timing belt,

did they change any tensioners with your belts as its advisable

 

[alanc1000]

If the power steering went it sounds like the Auxillery belt which does the power steering, air con and alternator. Mine went once on an old Uno Turbo, its a pretty straightforward fix if i recall, no way near as bad as the timing belt.

 

[sean182cup]

but half the time when they snap the ancillery belt they snap timing belt to due to then running through the same cover i belive

 

[GazM]

If tyhe auxilery belt goes on a 1*2 though its common for it to get caught in the timing belt and couse alot of damage. Very lucky man if you got away with it. As above though, if the aux belt has gone i'd get a hold of whoever carried out the work

 

[DrR]

Aux belt is 5 years 36k.

 

[edde]

but half the time when they snap the ancillery belt they snap timing belt to due to then running through the same cover i belive

The cover is seperate

 

[Rob.]

but half the time when they snap the ancillery belt they snap timing belt to due to then running through the same cover i belive

I think its pretty hard for the Aux belt to hit the cam belt it would have to get behind the pulley Theres a cover in-between them.

 

[sideways danny]

it's when the aux belt slides behind the pulley and jams that pulley that you get cambelt issues

 

[chur1996]

Fingers crossed it's just the auxiliary belt then.....

I called the garage this morning and they came out to collect the car about an hour later, they've got a good reputation for being Renault specialists in the area and he did sound genuinely concerned.

I'll see what he says after he's looked at it on Monday and update the post accordingly!

 

[Fred@BTM]

that'll be the aux belt wrapped around the crank then

 

[chur1996]

The verdict: the auxiliary belt has 'shredded' and knocked out the timing as well

My opinion: it's either a faulty belt or it's been fitted badly - neither of which are my fault! The work should surely be guaranteed and as it was only two months ago they were fitted I shouldn't have to pay anything.

The garage's verdict: they muttered something about 'doing what they can' with me over the price, that they have never known this happen before etc. etc. At one point they said they thought that the power steering pump may have seized and hinted that may have caused the damage - how would this cause the belt to shred?!

I sense an argument when I go to collect it....

 

[iimushroomzii]

I wouldnt pay a thing mate!! I bet its one of the tensioners seize.

 

[Darren S]

Does a proper drop in temperature like what we've had the past few days, put extra stress on the belts and tensioners?

D.

 

[foxspeed]

Does a proper drop in temperature like what we've had the past few days, put extra stress on the belts and tensioners?

D.

they are usually tested at extremes of temperature - the one thing that is bad for them is engine oil - soon causes them to deteriorate

 

[chur1996]

The tensioners were changed at the same time, and an oil change too!

 

[ashy_gtt]

At one point they said they thought that the power steering pump may have seized and hinted that may have caused the damage - how would this cause the belt to shred?!

Its possible for the aircon pump or power steering pump to seize and yes that would cause the aux belt to shread. I would of thought you would of had warning first though in form of squeeling from the engine bay for a while before it went!

 

[chur1996]

Its possible for the aircon pump or power steering pump to seize and yes that would cause the aux belt to shread. I would of thought you would of had warning first though in form of squeeling from the engine bay for a while before it went!

Perhaps I should keep my stereo turned down in future! Seriously though, seems far too co-incidental to go shortly after all these belts are changed....

 

[fossie]

Tbh mate i wouldnt pay a penny, if they are saying its the power steering pump ect, test it independantly so they dont fill you full of bullshit

 

[chur1996]

All's well that ends well!

Picked my car up today, they agreed to stand the cost themselves entirely with no argument!

 

[ForceIndia]

Great result.

 

[chur1996]

Absolutely! Probably would have been looking at over a grand if I'd had to pay for it

 

[fossie]

Excellent result, good to hear matey

 

[mark123]

Did they mention any damage to the valves/pistons etc from the timing being thrown out by the aux belt getting into the mix? It would be unusual if there wasn't any.

 

[chur1996]

Yes, the valves were bent but looks like the pistons were ok

 

[Rossy197]

Had the same prob with my (04) 182... was driving to work, departed a set of lights and bang engine splutted to a hault with more lights on the dash than i care to remember... I'd only had the car 6 months and with 24,000 miles i wasnt thinking it was too serious, how wrong was i. Turned out the aux belt had snapped and got fed into the cambelt... Got towed to renault and after 1 week was told that it had done all the valves and 2 pistons... Luckily the car was under warranty so Renault agreed and i got a new engine.. took 6 weeks to rebuild though as they had to wait for an engine from France.. All in all this new lump is going well but im still wondering if it will happen again..

 

[Timo1art]

I have just bought a second hand Clio mk2 1.2 "V" reg. It has only done 33.000 miles but it came with no service history. I know that the recommended mileage for a timing belt change is 72,000, but they do state in the Haynes manual that if a lot of stopping and starting is done then it is advisable to change it at around 36,000 miles. I do not want the expense of this at the moment but I obviously dont want the expense of it snapping either. Does anyone know if there are signs that a belt is worn and could snap soon?
thanks.

 

[SBV116]

I have just bought a second hand Clio mk2 1.2 "V" reg. It has only done 33.000 miles but it came with no service history. I know that the recommended mileage for a timing belt change is 72,000, but they do state in the Haynes manual that if a lot of stopping and starting is done then it is advisable to change it at around 36,000 miles. I do not want the expense of this at the moment but I obviously dont want the expense of it snapping either. Does anyone know if there are signs that a belt is worn and could snap soon?
thanks.

No, it will just break and its game over, piece of piss on a 1.2, just get it done!!