Engine seized - but cam-belt only changed last year?

[66misog]

Hi there, have looked all over google and couldn't find any help then my wife suggested here so I'll try.

Last year I had my cam-belt on my diesel engined truck replaced, obviously because I didn't want the expense of an engine seize.

But, today I went out, started my engine got halfway off the drive then clonk clonk engine dies. Tried to start, the starter motor is doing it's job but nothing from the engine. As I have had a car engine seize on me in the past, and my truck has the same symptoms, I'm pretty certain the engine has seized.

Now, as my cam-belt was changed April last year, do I have any grounds to go back to the gargage and blame a faulty part?
Or could it have been fitted incorrectly?
Is there a way of telling which it was, faulty part or fitting?

The annoying thing is I didn't get a receipt for the work as the mechanic is a friend (which also makes things awkward), so how do I go about it?

I use my truck for work, so am now loosing money and can't afford a new engine or truck, which is why I would always try to keep this one serviced to save cash in the long run.

Desperate for any advice?

Thanks

[TiTheRev]

All parts should have at least a years warrenty, so even if your mechanic friend did the work, as long as he's VAT registered he can claim for it through the company that supplied the parts to him (even for a replacement engine if required). Get back on to him, and get it diagnosed. Then start the claim process asap and add for lost earnings!

[hewhoisnotintheknow]

All parts should have at least a years warrenty, so even if your mechanic friend did the work, as long as he's VAT registered he can claim for it through the company that supplied the parts to him (even for a replacement engine if required). Get back on to him, and get it diagnosed. Then start the claim process asap and add for lost earnings!

surely we need to work out what caused the engine to seize

[KeithP]

"the starter motor is doing it's job" i.e. turning the crankshaft, tells me the engine is not seized. Difficult to blame parts or labour of the cambelt change until further investigation is carried out.

[moneysaver]

You can only blame it on the cam belt if it has snapped. Otherwise you need to look at some other cause.


Moneysaver

[TiTheRev]

surely we need to work out what caused the engine to seize

Get back on to him, and get it diagnosed.

:rolleyes: ;)

[66misog]

Sorry, when I say the starter motor is doing it's job, I mean it's making a noise, but the engine is not turning over just making a really bad noise like scrapping a fork over pebbledashing, screaching.

Unfortuantely the work was carried out in April 07, so over a year, but I've only done approx. 20000 miles.

Just wanted info before I headed over to garage.

Cheers all.

[TiTheRev]

Probably out of warrenty unless genuine part used then :( ...if it's the cambelt!

[trigger_mike]

Did you just change just the cambelt or have a cambelt kit fitted, I.e the tensoners and pulleys as well?
If not then the garage won't replace it as what happens is the tensors seize and strip the teeth of the belt.
Always get a kit fitted and not just a belt.
I used to work for a motor factors and we wouldn't compensate for cambelts that that snapped if they hadn't had a kit fitted.
Also when a cambelt breaks you find the engine turning over really quickly.
Have a look under the cambelt cover and see if it's snapped or the teeth stripped.
If it's seized it's more likely down to having no oil in it.

[steveo3002]

if the starter is doing its job...as in turning the engine over , then the engine isnt siezed is it

engines dont sieze when the cam belt breaks anyway

id get a proper diagnosis on whats wrong first

[66misog]

Thank you all,

I've spoken to my friend (mechanic) who said he will come out and have a look a.s.a.p. so am just waiting now. He did say dosen't sound good.

It's not that I don't trust my mate, it's just I wanted to know my grounds before seeing him if it is the cam-belt as I suspect. I can be diplomatic, as long as I know my rights. I wouldn't want to fall out with him.

I'll keep you all posted:o

Cheers

Worried Misog (my wifes pet name for me, a combination of Meserable Old Git).:eek:

[Conor]

You can only blame it on the cam belt if it has snapped.

...and you also replaced the pulleys and tensioners in accordance to the manufacturers guidance.

[Conor]

Sorry, when I say the starter motor is doing it's job, I mean it's making a noise, but the engine is not turning over just making a really bad noise like scrapping a fork over pebbledashing, screaching.


That sounds more like a starter motor that's not engaging with the flywheel properly. If the engine had seized, there'd be no noise from the starter or the engine.

Here's a quick test for you. Put the vehicle in gear and take off the park brake. Push it backwards whilst observing the pulleys on the front. If it's seized, you'll not be able to move it.

[vikingaero]

...and you also replaced the pulleys and tensioners in accordance to the manufacturers guidance.

And best practice on some cars is to replace the water pump at the same time as the cambelt, pulleys and tensioners.

[TiTheRev]

And best practice on some cars is to replace the water pump at the same time as the cambelt, pulleys and tensioners.
...but this is a truck, so doubt the water pump is part of the cambelt set-up.

[goldspanners]

is there oil in it? if it has no oil then it probably has siezed.
but i doubt it,it sounds like the starter motor may not be engaging the ring gear properly or the ring gear has worn out at the one place.
if possible ( your truck may be too heavy) put the truck in gear with the ignition off and rock the truck back and forward,this may turn the flywheel and ring gear just enough to get unworn teeth at the point of contact from the starter motor.
a timing belt done well over a year ago/20,000 miles? if it was not fitted properly it would have failed much earlier than this. you will struggle to get any kind of warranty on that.

[jeannieblue]

is there oil in it? if it has no oil then it probably has siezed.
but i doubt it,it sounds like the starter motor may not be engaging the ring gear properly or the ring gear has worn out at the one place.
if possible ( your truck may be too heavy) put the truck in gear with the ignition off and rock the truck back and forward,this may turn the flywheel and ring gear just enough to get unworn teeth at the point of contact from the starter motor.
a timing belt done well over a year ago/20,000 miles? if it was not fitted properly it would have failed much earlier than this. you will struggle to get any kind of warranty on that.
Didn't you have ring gear problem once?

Oh, no, it was ring worm... did the ointment work? ;)

[goldspanners]

Didn't you have ring gear problem once?

Oh, no, it was ring worm... did the ointment work? ;)

yes,2 gallon of ointment and all was well,i can sit down and everything now!