cam belt snapped

[minge]

i own a 2l 16v 1998 vectra and the cambelt snapped on the way back from work.what damage will this cause and the cost of repair?i've been told between �400 and �600 without anyone actually looking at it

[Everhelpful]

Will bend all your valves at least. Will cost about �600 to repair as it needs a total strip-down and new valves,etc. Sorry to hear about your misfortune as I had the same 4 years ago.

[sddsddean]

I had an old Vauxhall Victor yonks ago, which apparently was the first UK car to have a belt instead of a chain. As Vauxhall didn't know how the belts would perform, they left enough clearance between the valves and pistons, so when it did strip, all I had to do was replace the belt and re time it. Why don't they make engines like that anymore?

[david1702198]

the fiat punto 1.2 8v is a freewheeling ebgine. if the belt is changed at the correct intervals there isnt any chance of it failing. more manufacturers are now reverting to chain driven engines.

[sarnieken]

Sounds like potential for damaged pistons / valves.
It could be worse, a new engine would set you back about �1k fitted.
They will have given you a price from experience of having to fix them.
If you're unsure about them telling you the right price, get a second oppinion.

[Toureman]

�500 seems cheap, repair could be much more than that.

[daveygh]

i have a vauxhall vectra and the cam belt snapped, i had only done 49000 miles it cost �990 to repair the damage - dont leave it too late to get it changed!

[ste123han123]

hi i got an escort van 1.8d 1998 cam belt snapped its snapped my crankshaft just wondering if its bent my valves