Cam Belt?

[Guest max]

:ph34r: Boy am I glad that I have come accross this site...you guys seem to really be helping each other out! I have (what is apparently) a major problem with my car and have spent the last 4 hours trawling the net looking for advice. I have a V reg Galaxy Zetec 2.3 petrol that has been running like a tank! It started with there being absolutely no power when pulling away despite the fact that the car was revs were climbing up. A local mechanic diagnosed it as being the spark plugs that needed replacing which we duly had done but it didn't make any difference. Today the car will not start at all, the engine is turning over but not firing, but appears to be missing / over reving. A know-it-all neighbour seems to think that it is a case of the cam belt missing a couple teeth and possibly a bent valve. I have phoned a couple of mechanics and am having extortianate amounts of money quoted to me. Does this sound likely, or is it a 'common' occurence? From the message you may be able to appreciate my lack of knowledge! I would really appreciate some advice on this if possible. Thanks

[Masked Marauder]

Your know-it-all neighbour would be wrong then, your engine has a chain, not a timing belt.

 

Is it a mechanical clattering or just poor running?

 

If it is poor running then check for air leaks in the engine intake.

[Guest rob W]

Ive got the same problem and still can not find out the problem.

Be aware on mine a 99 2.3 zetec the chain that drives the oil pump snapped and part of it flung into the timing and screwed the head/ valves etc it happened at a quite high speed. ( this was the conclusion when they stripped the engine) the tensioner had worked loose / came off.

Anyway a second hand engine was found and fitted only for it to run the same.

It was in the main dealers for a week only for them to give me it back with no improvement.

Mine runs rough at tickover and chuggs away untill it reaches 3000 rpm then it runs ok ish.

Ive a local guy looking at it in his spare time hopefully we will cure it soon.as my wife will not use the car now as she was driving it when all hell let loose.

it siezed up as well!!

sorry not to fix your problem but be carefull when using it.

 

maybe some one can cast a light on this

Rob

[Guest max]

Thanks for all your help. The problem sounds much the same as yours Rob, although the car won't actually even start now! Will keep watching...

Max

[mumof4]

checked your main fuse feed box????

 

 

(yes i know..im obsessed by it!! :ph34r: )

[Guest max]

Would that make a difference? :ph34r:

 

Max

[mumof4]

well...you are saying that the car wont start..its nothing to do with the cambelt...but ours has burnt out twice and its the first thing i would check now as last time it naffed the alternator.if you do look at it, look for signs of charring..its the 150 amp fuse you need to check.

[Guest max]

Am I right in believing that the car has a VW engine? If so would I be better off going to a VW dealer as opposed to a Ford dealer? A friend has just phoned and suggests I take the car to Ford and have it diagnosed using their ECU (?) computer. Does this sound like a good idea? Sorry to ask so many questions but am really stuck!

 

Thanks Max

[Guest max]

Thanks mumof4, will have a look now. If nothing else, a process of elimination hey.

 

Max

[mumof4]

Yes it has a vw engine..if you wish to take it to ford for computer diagnostics be prepared for their prices!!around

[Guest max]

I don't suppose you happen to know of anyone who operates in this area do you? I have just looked through the Yellow Pages and only come up with one that I can't seem to get hold of...sod's law hey! (Kids are driving me mad and they've only been at home for one day! :ph34r:

 

Max x

[mumof4]

did you check the main fuse feed box under the bonnet????where abouts are you?

[Guest max]

Just gonna check it now. Back in a min. Am in Woking, Surrey.

[mumof4]

hmm....im in wilts so cant help you...most of the lads will prob be on this eve..if you post that you looking 4 sum one with vag com near you..they may be able to help....im still learning about our car...but MM and the others know their stuff.

[mumof4]

ive got to do a school run now..but ill be back l8ter..

[Guest rob W]

Not being an expert but I understood that the 2.3 was a ford only engine and its not available from seat or from VW but Im open to be proved wrong.

I had them look at the engine dianostics but it did not bring up any fault codes so was of no use!

when you say the engine will not start but over revs do you meen that it turns over very quickly?

this could be a sign of lack of compression pointing to the cam chain the same as mine.

It can cause lots of damage to the valves / head if the piston is hitting the valves.

the other problem i has as the oil pump stopped due to the snapped chain the engine wiped out the bearings making a rebuild very expensive hence the engine from a write off.

Im in the process of getting the ecu removed to be sent off for testing , i will report the findings.

Rob

[mumof4]

I dont claim to be an expert :ph34r: ..im probably wrong about it being a vw engine..to be honest i didnt look at maxs vehicle engine size!!

 

:lol:

[Guest max]

OK got car started but is 'chugging' if you know what I mean!?!?! Left the bonnet up while I started it up and there appeared to be a bit of smoke escaping from the top of the engine. Have found a guy to come and have a look at it but that won't be till Wednesday or Thursday! Aahhh. The fuse box I found but couldn't find the 150 fuse! :ph34r:

 

Max

[Guest rob W]

max

let me know the out come , hope thats its not as bad as mine was.

I will report what i get from the ECU testing place when i get it back.

Rob

[mumof4]

On my cae max,its the little balck box at the front under the bonnet...the fuse i mean has a black cable going to it..ok, so they all black but it is the biggest one you looking for!! :ph34r:

[bigdaddy]

Your engine is a ford make,,,,,and i dont think you have the fuse box in the engine bay,,,,,

 

 

From what you say about the starting and running of your engine,,,I would check the coil packs and the HT leads

 

then I would look at the fuel pump relay,,,or the fuel pump itself,,,,,,,think there is a cut off switch reset button under your pass seat

 

 

Then you could look at power to the injectors

 

 

I had a problem of a misfire a while back,,,,,,my boss wiggled the feed to the coil packs,,,,never misfired again,,,,,checked the cables,,all where brittle insulation,,,so i got fire proof tape and covered them all with it,,,,bloody brilliant

[Guest max]

Thanks for that mumof4 and Big Daddy. Have got a mechanic coming shortly so will see what he says. Will mention the things you guys have raised. Thanks again, will let you know what happens.

 

Maxine x

[Masked Marauder]

It is definately a Ford engine and VAG-COM will not speak to it.

 

The Dis-Packs on these engines are known to crack and arc out, to check for that try running the car in the dark and look at the engine for sparking between the dis-pac and the engine.

[Guest max]

Your engine is a ford make,,,,,and i dont think you have the fuse box in the engine bay,,,,,

 

 

From what you say about the starting and running of your engine,,,I would check the coil packs and the HT leads

 

then I would look at the fuel pump relay,,,or the fuel pump itself,,,,,,,think there is a cut off switch reset button under your pass seat

 

 

Then you could look at power to the injectors

 

 

I had a problem of a misfire a while back,,,,,,my boss wiggled the feed to the coil packs,,,,never misfired again,,,,,checked the cables,,all where brittle insulation,,,so i got fire proof tape and covered them all with it,,,,bloody brilliant

From what you say about the starting and running of your engine,,,I would check the coil packs and the HT leads

 

Spot on...I got somebody out (guy from garage where I bought car last year!) and he confirmed that one of the packs needed changing as it had cracked! Phoned around...was quoted

[Guest rob W]

good luck, hope to get mine fixed soon, ford said they tried the coil packs on mine. still trying to find the fault.

Rob