Ford Fiesta 2003 Cambelt Advise Please

Justiceforme

Hi, can any body offer advice on the this problem?

Car will not start, clicking noise coming from the camshaft. Camshaft is not turning, cambelt is not lose or broken but not turning camshaft. If the cambelt is damaged could it be a problem with the valves, which involves taking the engine head off, checking that valves are not damaged How can this problem be diagnosed? Car has 70.200 miles on clock. Have been advised that the cost of completing this work could cost as much as £700-800. Car is in good condition but not worth much more than £1000+
Where should I seek further advice.

Thanks

JustinR1979

Could be missing teeth on the belt, had that before - luckily on a non interference engine.
What engine is it?

arcon5

Well on startup it would be the starter motor engaging the flywheel which is connected to the crankshaft - so the camshaft being turned in the process would be achieved by the cambelt which would be a consequence of the crankshaft turning.

So you sure it is even connected to the camshaft? And not something like the starter motor, or even the battery? What checks have you done?

Justiceforme

JustinR1979 wrote: »

Could be missing teeth on the belt, had that before - luckily on a non interference engine.
What engine is it?

Hi Thanks
The car is Ford Fiesta Zetec 1.4 2003, not sure if that's a non interference engine. Garage says they can't find fault without removing the engine head to check for valve damage, and other damage. So don't know what the damage is but have pay if worked commenced. Are there any other checks that can completed to find faults?
Please take into account I'm female and have not a clue about car engines.

Any advice would be good.
Thanks

Justiceforme

arcon5 wrote: »

Well on startup it would be the starter motor engaging the flywheel which is connected to the crankshaft - so the camshaft being turned in the process would be achieved by the cambelt which would be a consequence of the crankshaft turning.

So you sure it is even connected to the camshaft? And not something like the starter motor, or even the battery? What checks have you done?

Thanks

Rescue service, checked battery, starter motor etc. and suggested camshaft problems?

LiGhTfasT

had the cambelt changed about 3 years ago on my old 1.4 2003 fiesta then sold it. Think it was 10 years or 100k so get it done when there checking it if not done any damage.

welfayre

Are you sure you mean cambelt and not the serpentine/fan belt?

Cambelts are housed behind a plastic cover and you'd need to remove that first to see it. Fan belts are the external ones you can see without taking anything off.

If it's that belt that's not turning and your getting a clicking noise on turnover it is more likely a starter/battery fault.

If the cambelt wasn't turning you'd more likely hear kind of whirring noise.

A mechanic will know by the sound which it is. Or you can take off the oil cap and look in through the hole while someone turns the car over and see if the camshaft is turning (if it is it's not a broken cambelt). Another option is to try bump start it, if it starts it's a starter/batter fault. (Be warned if you try this and it IS the cambelt you could do extra damage)

Justiceforme

LiGhTfasT wrote: »

had the cambelt changed about 3 years ago on my old 1.4 2003 fiesta then sold it. Think it was 10 years or 100k so get it done when there checking it if not done any damage.

Hi thanks
If you read the e-mail, it says car will not start, so I presume there is a problem or some damage, suggested by Rescue service person.
Car was 10 old years from band new, in very condition all round, 770.20 miles on clock. Problem is garage say this a common problems with Ford Fiesta Zetec? Can't find evidence of this on internet. They just can't say what the damage is unless the strip it all down. I'm trying to find out about diagnostic tests before committing to pay £700-£800. They also failed to inform me that they would not even be able to start work on it before next Wednesday. This leaves us without a car for nearly 2 weeks. I'm disabled?
Thanks anyway

Richard53

Justiceforme wrote: »

Please take into account I[strike]'m female and[/strike] have not a clue about car engines.

There, fixed that for you.

arcon5

Richard53 wrote: »

There, fixed that for you.

*bangs head against wall*

arcon5

Can you explain in detail what happens when starting it?
what noises? Where you think it's coming from etc etc.

personally I wouldn't recommend spending that kind of money on an inspection.
would be cheaper to just fit a new used engine. Or buy a like for like car with it being 11yrs old