Vauxhall Cav died on the road - need pointers to diagnose

[ricochet1980]

First up, I'll describe what happened and then what I've looked at already, hopefully someone can point me in the right direction to finding the problem:

it's a 1990 (H) Cavalier 1.6L...while driving the engine suddenly slowed up, felt as if I was stuck in mud, I gave it a bit of gas to get going again and it 'Popped' and the engine died. The dashboard lights came on and I lost all power - lucky I had enough momentum to coast it into a layby!

After asking my uncle to tow me home, I had a look under the bonnet. One of the small air pipes (the really thin ones going into the carburetter) was unconnected. I fixed it back but still no joy.

I thought it may have been an air hose bursting due to the 'Pop' (out of curiosity I also checked the fuel lines and pump, they are fine and working) but I'm unsure how to confirm this.

My oil level is fine, as are all the other levels, the spark plugs and lines are new 2 yrs ago.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

you'd be saving my life!

-Rob

[hightower]

Rob, First of all, To check ur fuel line is ok, Do you smell pertol when you are out of the car? and check underneath it and on the floor to look for any wet patches. that will tell you if you have a fuel line problem. And for your pump check, take the feed pipe from your pump and turn the car over with the key and if you get fuel going out your pump is ok.
And for the popped pipe from your carb its very unsual for that to happen, I would check your breath pipe and take your rocker cover off and check your inlet valves are set up right, you could be getting back pressure off then ok

Good luck

[jake-the-peg]

Have you ever had the cam belt changed?

It sounds a bit like it could be that

[homer75]

Jake might be right - take off the top cam cover and look to see if the cam belt is still on.

[NORMANTHEDOG]

they are prone for cambelts to go,and you might be lucky that it has not caused any valve damage,if it has gone and the valves are damaged then you might as well scrap it,it would cost more to put right then what its worth.

[NORMANTHEDOG]

by the way,dont try and start it before you have checked the cambelt as it could cause more damage.

[__LEE__]

Does sound like a cambelt job

Somebody correct me if i am wrong... bit i am pretty sure the 1.6 engine does not make valve to piston contact?

[ricochet1980]

Jake,Homer,Norman & Lee- The cam belt was last changed 06/2001. I've always thought it should be done againn before now but my Dad keeps telling me I don't need to as I barely do 7000 miles a year. Can't argue with the old man!

I'll have a look at it tomorrow when it's light out and keep you informed.

Cheers!

[Shire]

Sounds like the cam belt to me - my old Cav did this to me in the outside lane of a dual carriageway at 70mph, and it wasn't nice.

Hope you can get it sorted soon!

[ricochet1980]

Had a dig around this morning, got the belt cover off and it looks fine to me. I'm not sure what I'm looking for but I thought it might be obvious if the cambelt was causing the problem.

The tension was still tight, the belt wasn't cracked or damaged in any way, it wasn't missing any teeth nor was it out of place.

Is that how it's supposed to be?

Serves me right for not selling it when I had the urge!

Ha!

-R

[__LEE__]

Sounds like your belt is ok then :)
But i would still get it changed, as your belt is overdue. it should be done at 36k miles or 4 years (whichever occurs first)


as for your car not running.... it would be nice to know your engine code... 16sv or c16nz... this should be in the front page of your service book and also stamped on your gearbox (bell housing edge, seen from under bonnet.