broken timing belt

[tezestwing]

just going not to fast 20ish mph in 1999 mondeo TD diesel and the cambelt broke anybody know the percentage for a new head/camshaft + some valves or hopfully just a new cam belt thanks for any help Tez

[TWR]

The speed was enough to cause damage tez, It will be a case of head off & skimmed I would also pressure test the same time, I would advise buying your own head gasket but do not bye cheap, Cost in the region with time & labour �250 -�300 unless you are doing it yourself.

[tezestwing]

Thanks TWR can you get recon heads if I do need one, some one mentioned bent valves would I need to allow for there cost ,is there a difference in head gaskets,the �250-�300 cost is that just work on the head or a total re fit belt and all, thanks Tez

[tezestwing]

oh would a 1.8 cyl head from other Diesel Fords IE focus or escort same year do the job thanks Tez

[NORMANTHEDOG]

it will be a lot cheaper to buy a recon engine and get it fitted.

[TWR]

With respect to Norms answer, what mileage has you motor done? If it is reasonable 100000, I would go for a Skim/Pressure test, The quick way is as Norm has said a recon but the question is & you will not find out until its running, what the recon like? If bad, back to square one, I do not know your area but I have just had a head Skimmed & pressure tested on a Punto I know its a different car but the outcome is the same & can be back on the road within a week, in your case, put a socket on the lower crankshaft pulley & SLOWLY try to turn the car over if it locks Valves bent, Check Ebay as you say for a recon head & ask if it has been pressure tested & a bill to confirm, depends on the heads condition to the total cost, If the car was mine, I would go for the repair knowing that you know the car & by doing that you know the car will be right, If you decide on the repair replace the Cam Belt+ Tensioners but do not try to do it on the cheap otherwise you will pay the price, Good Luck.

[tezestwing]

thanks norm and TWR she has done 117000 odd mile good body and runs like a dream regular services so I think a repair to the head is the way to go, try a cambelt first then try to turn engine over,when you advice dont buy cheap do you mean to purchase genuine parts from FORDS. Would I need to get my head skimmed and pressure tested, I am assuming that I will if the engine won't turn over, one on EBay in Nottingham with test cert looks a good deal, keep my fingers crossed thanks again Tez

[TWR]

Hi Tez, If you are going for the repair you can bye cheap Head Gasket & you can bye gaskets, You can bye for �12-to �15 go for the fifteen you might only need the head Gasket depending on the way you remove the Inlet & Exhaust manifolds, Take your time when removing them from the Head that way you will save money, Clean the both areas well as it was new, you can leave the cam in place for the Skim but also get it tested at the same time otherwise you will pay the price, as regards a fresh unit if that is your option well so be it, but I would myself go for the repair, 117000 is nothing to a diesel the most important like any car is the oil change but again people go for the cheap option regards the oil that is false economy, if you do decide to do the repair don't forget Summer - Winter Antifreeze.

[tezestwing]

Hi TWR Thanks for all the info much appreciated I think I will go for the fresh unit if needed ( still waiting for room in W shop for new belt + test ) at least the valves will be seated and EBay feed back should be valuable thanks Tez