Cam chain bust on clk 230 komp

[panason1c]

Just my experience, I had a 1.6 Astra estate which which threw out the cam belt at around 70mph on the motorway. RAC kindly brought me and vehicle back home. I did ask the RAC chap what are the chances of bringing the vehicle back to life, 'very slim' was his reply. Curiousity got the better of me so I bought a cam belt from Halfords, only a few ££££'s, and so not to waste my time I aligned everything up and prised the new belt on, took all of 20 minutes. It ****** worked! whats more kept going for another 10k. Prior to this I believed as so did most people I asked that any engine is knacked if the cam belt/chain is lost at speed. Always worth a second look!

Your post illustrates my earlier point exactly where i stated.....Quote.."When a cam chain (or belt) fails the damage that usually ensues is relatively instant and the whole event is over within micro-seconds and therefore any further engine revolutions due to the vehicle being in motion are not likely to cause further damage".unquote............

 

[Ian Brown]

The 8 valve astra 1.6 and 1.3 engines do bend their valves it is only the 1.4 that does damage and even at that there is very few of them that bend thier valves they just seem to break the rockers a very easy job to replace them. even the 1.7 vauxhall diesel engine snaps the rockers when the belt breaks. Most or all cars fitted with a chain will bend valves

 

[hexflyer]

I had a cam belt go on a Rover 820 16v, just pulling out of the yard (company car) when i stalled the engine or so i thought!!, tried turning it no joy, so pushed it back in, and took it to the workshop (on site) he changed the belt, started it and 60k later it was still running

what happened to the original poster?

 

[martthefart]

My understanding is the damage caused by a snapped cam belt depends very much on the make and model of the car. Some it knackers, others it doesn't! Perhaps you need to ask a mercedes tech or independent specialist to find out what the likely/potential damage is.

 

[big x]

My understanding is the damage caused by a snapped cam belt depends very much on the make and model of the car. Some it knackers, others it doesn't! Perhaps you need to ask a mercedes tech or independent specialist to find out what the likely/potential damage is.

There won't be any damage from just a snapped chain...it's a non-interference design.I personally would never buy a car with a rubber cam belt much prefering chains.A good example of a chain snapping and destroying valves and pistons would be the VW V5 engines.A really poor piece of design.

adam

 

[C220GJS]

The Mercedes M111 engine as fitted to the CLK230k which was the original subject of this thread is an interference engine ,and if the cam chain breaks the valves will touch the pistons bending the valves, but as I originally said I feel the most damage will occur from the timing chain dropping into the sump and whipping round the crank pulley.
Geo.

 

[big x]

The Mercedes M111 engine as fitted to the CLK230k which was the original subject of this thread is an interference engine ,and if the cam chain breaks the valves will touch the pistons bending the valves, but as I originally said I feel the most damage will occur from the timing chain dropping into the sump and whipping round the crank pulley.
Geo.

In that case I am wrong.
BTW The VW 5 cylinder problem seems to be caused by a lack of hardening on the crank sprocket.The teeth are badly worn by 90k.There was an article in Popular Mechanics magazine about rebuilding a Ford Galaxy engine which VW supply to them.
Ford must be delighted at buying such a lemon.The Mazda/Ford V6 is a non-interference design.

adam