Managed to kill the car ...

So, as we all know, this morning was "crisp" to say the least. As normal I go out to the car, put the key in the ignition and try and start the engine. The engine fires, followed by a lovely loud scraping sound, and then it all goes quiet.

Now the thing won't start. I have checked and I am getting spark, injectors are getting power, everything is turning freely (have turned it by hand with a ratchet), all the belts are intact and the timing is spot on (thought the cam belt might have slipped) ... but it just won't fire into life.

So, looks like I go into 2009 as I did 2008 ... a broken fronty! A-woo a-hoo.

Starer motor given up ?

How long did it run for ?

Starter motor is still turning everything as it should ... it ran for about 10 seconds before dying

Have you got anti freeze in ??

Yup ... and have since checked that none of the cooling system is iced up

Ok that out the way,thought the loud scraping sound may have been caused by ice jamming the water pump.

Was the sound metallic or more like a skidding belt ??

If the ice had jammed the water pump, but everything now turning freely, would it still stop the car starting now?

And it was a mix of both - hence why I checked the timing as I thought it might have been a belt slipping

Hmmm personally I would take the cover off & check the timing belt for missing / damaged teeth before progressing.

Have visually inspected it in situ as I hand cranked the engine, all seems ok on there

Have you checked for fuel at the injectors ??

How is the oil?

Found it ...

The camshaft pulley had worked itself a little loose, and in so doing has managed to turn past the woodruff key, gouging out a nice bit of the pulley ... so I need a new one

a fourth pence wood ruff key cost me a new head so when you put it back together make sure it times up OK before firing it up

Well done bud,at least there should be no internal damage,just to be sure hand crank the engine with the rocker box off & watch the valve movement. :wink:

Phew at least it isnt expensive, relieved for ya

Phew indeed,

I'm so relieved that it is fixable.

Lawrence

that could have been a lot worse

It is a lot worse ...

Just got everything back together again, and she eventually fired into life. Ran for about 15 minutes, turned it off, and then all the water erupted from the back of the engine block as the pressure built ... yup, looks like the head gasket has blown again!

On a plus side, at least I know where my water leak was now.

sorry to hear that Jay

Bugger.

If you need a hand, give me a shout. You might yet find a use for that gazebo.

I'm sure we can rally the troops.

Lawrence