Cam belt gone on Clio!!

MoneyMiser

Hi Motoring Experts,

Firstly let me say I have no idea about cars so wondering if someone in the know could help.

I have a Renault Clio, 2000 reg. Was doing about 60-70mph when the engine cut out. Recovery man said the cambelt had gone and it would also need a new water pump. Said it was a big job

Phoned a garage and they would want around £100 just for two hours labour to see what damage was done inside the engine.

Dont really want to pay this if the car will be a write-off, so can anyone tell me who is in the know or had any experience with this happening, what they did, how much they paid or did they just sell the car for scrap?

Thanks,

MM

jase1

It'll most likely be a new engine job if it went at 70mph... and with it being an 11 year old ar it's most likely scrap I'm afraid.

scheming_gypsy

my mechanical knowledge is limited but usually.. if your cam belt / timing belt goes you've a good chance that engine could be damaged with the pistons banging about all over the place. Which will be why they want to poke about for a couple of hours, going at 60 - 70 when it happened and the engine cutting out, could well be a sign that it's fubar'ed.

but as i said... limited mechanical knowledge.

rodenal

In all honesty if you don't know anybody who would be capable of sticking a new engine in it for you (or find a mechanic willing to do it as a homer) and aren't confident finding a good used unit I would either just scrap the car or stick it on as "spares repairs" on ebay with a starting bid of the minimum you'll get for it scrap.

Before you do that just confirm the cambelt is away (if you can see the belt cover on a clio then it will just be a case of unclipping this and looking at the belt itself, will be pretty obvious) and double check the engine you have is an interference engine (very likely).

Assuming it's an interference engine you have then any running after the belt has snapped will be very likely to have seen the various internals doing some serious damage to each other - you can rebuild but a replacement engine would be a better/easier option if you were to fix, which on a car of this age and value I dont recommend.

MoneyMiser

Thanks guys,

Well that is far from ideal, the car is probably only worth around £800 - £1000 so if the job was more than £500 its not really worth it.

My only problem is, finding the money to get a new car! Damnit!!

MM

Gordon_Hose

Unfortunately without taking the head off you'll never know.

Alternatively you can try and source a replacement used engine from Ebay, or somewhere that dismantles cars, and get your mechanic to fit it. IT'll be cheaper than buying a new car.

rodenal

MoneyMiser wrote: »

Thanks guys,

Well that is far from ideal, the car is probably only worth around £800 - £1000 so if the job was more than £500 its not really worth it.

My only problem is, finding the money to get a new car! Damnit!!

MM

To be honest you'll probably find your car is worth closer to £500 even in working condition (assuming it isn't a RS, but then your own valuation would be closer to 2k). You could likely find and get an engine fitted for £3-400 if that's something you want to do - can't imagine a clio engine going for more than £200

s_b

water pump usually seizes causing catastrophic damage to valves and possibly pistons
not a cheap repair really even if you only have a bat cave garage in your town because it quite possibly may need
new head or s/h if you can source one
valves
cylinder head gasket
water pump
timing belt kit
labour
oil
anti freeze

basically if it needs to go to a garage rather than a diy repair then its borderline scrap

so if you buy another clio make sure water pump and belt done:)

the car with mot and tax if tidy is worth in todays market £800 to £1000 as a runner as OP guestimated, but obviously its a supply and demand market out there so this figure is based on that

MoneyMiser

Hmmm just looking at ebay and there are a few engines on there, varying from £100 to £300.

I doubt its an easy job, but anyone any idea the typical labout costs to replace an engine?

MM

Gordon_Hose

For a little car like that, maybe half a days work, if that. SO it would depend on the garages labour rate.

scheming_gypsy

MoneyMiser wrote: »

Hmmm just looking at ebay and there are a few engines on there, varying from £100 to £300.

I doubt its an easy job, but anyone any idea the typical labout costs to replace an engine?

MM

a £100 engine is probably a bit dodgy so if you go for the £300 engine. Say a days labour at £35 an hour as they need to take yours out and fit this one... Then there's parts cost for the misc bits, oil etc.
So say another £300 to be on the low side if it doesn't take a full day.

so that's £600 to put yours back on the road. But if you can sell yours for £200 and put that £600 towards it, you're on your £800 valuation... Repairing or selling is going to cost the same roughly.


Edit... there's one listed with a day left. currently at £460 with a blown cam belt http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Renault-Clio-Spare-repair-cam-belt-gone-/300564139161?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item45fb04cc99

Personally.... i'd stick it on eBay as spares or repairs rather than spending £500 upwards on fixing it.