Mifo

iTrader: (10)

Had a little problem with my ford escort van this evening, went to start it and there was quite a bit of vibration then cut out. 2nd time I went to start it vibration and then what sounded like something breaking into bits.
Tried a third time and now all you here is the starter but nothing from the engine at all.

Does this sound like the cambelt gone?
Not had chance to look at it properly as its dark and raining.

prodriverules

iTrader: (52)

When the cambelt breaks it will turn over alot faster as it won't be compressing properly,can almost sound like the engine isn't turning tbho.

zip106

That takes me back to 1989 when my fairly new Escort 1.8d belt went - £740 to fix and it was never the same afterwards.

Sorry Mifo, that didn't help much, did it?

Edit - it also happened on a 1984 Escort 1.3 when the then girlfriend was driving whilst I was laid up in hospital.... '....and I kept trying to start it, but it just kept turning over and over...'

'Thanks love, you've just bent a few more valves doing that...'

Noris8322

iTrader: (1)

It does sound like the cambelt could be the problem, it is a common issue on that engine.
My old escorts cam belt broke on the motorway, it snapped the cam into 3 bits and trashed every valve in the head.

Mifo

iTrader: (10)

cheers chaps, does sound like it is the cambelt gone then Ill have a proper look when I get chance see how bad i is.
Shame it had been quite reliable for 9 months or so then it had electrical problems and now this.

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

If its the old 1.6 or 1.8 diesel then yes they have habit of breaking the camshaft when teh belt breaks. New shaft and reconditioned head is a pretty standard fix for any engine/cylinder head specialist.

If the belt has not gone over on change schedule (age and mileage), its usually due to the plastic tensioner rollers breaking up (should be changed as a kit, but some people cut corners and just do the belt).

Alternatively, could be the drive gear on the starter motor has broken up; they have a slide and freewheel mechanism, which could have stuck (clutch dust), allowing the motor to be driven by the engine when it should have disengaged. It doesn't take too kindly to that and it'll just break apart. Leaving the motor to spin, but not actually turning the engine.

zip106

Couldn't it also be the water pump packed up or seized?

(causing the cambelt to snap)

The Zohan

It does sound like the belt has gone.

to check put it in first or second or reverse and (if safe to do so) crank it over. It should move and slow down the cranking speed/starter. If so likely belt gone.

Unlikely you will do any more damage than has already been done.

BOB.T

True in some cases but often depends on how successful the pistons have been with moving the pesky valves out of the way!

Mifo

iTrader: (10)

Had a look at it, the cambelt was fine in fact it didnt look that old.
Turned the key , lots of awful grinding noises. Rolled it down the hill and bump started it and the motor runs fine.
It must be the starter motor gone so at least its not the engine in bits.
She lives to fight another day!