Timing belt snapped on the SDI!

Hello,


Just now, the timing belt on my Polo SDI either came off or tore; I'm not sure exactly which, but the timing belt is lying next to it.
The engine has only been driven for 54,900 km! (It suddenly stopped while driving at approximately 3500 RPM).

Now I'd like to know what all could have broken down, because I don't trust workshops.
'How much will that cost me approximately?'


I know that making diagnoses remotely can be difficult, but I would still like to know what could potentially be broken and whether it's possible to determine the cause.

If it becomes too expensive, I'll sell this 'heap of junk' because I don't have the money for a costly repair.


Thank you very much for your help!

Hi,

First of all, my condolences.

So, if the timing belt broke at 3500 RPM, then the engine has likely suffered serious damage.
The valves likely made physical contact with the pistons, and then probably bent out of awe. I can't say for sure whether the camshaft broke from excitement, but I've seen that happen before. It's hard to say which damages to the engine block are regrettable (I've seen blocks survive worse), but the cylinder head is definitely completely ruined.

I wouldn't dare to say whether I would install a new cylinder head on an old block that might already be damaged.

"55,000 km is quite low mileage for such damage, especially for an SDI engine!!!"

I think I didn't hear anything, but it's possible that I did. I also pressed the clutch pretty quickly, but if someone reacted, the engine wouldn't have made so many revolutions.


'Kopf & CO' will be gone, but I don't know what to do with the building itself; should I demolish it completely, or just renovate the storage areas? I have no idea.'


According to Volkswagen, they only offer a warranty for such damage if they replace the entire engine (costing between 3500 and 4000 euros).
If they only replace the head, no warranty is provided.
It actually makes sense; how would they know what the block experienced?



What really shocks me is the enormous amount of damage for only 55,000 kilometers.
That can't be right!! I'll check tomorrow to see if the belt is broken or 'just' detached. I suspect the latter because I saw the belt still up in the cover box; it was hanging next to the camshaft sprocket.


Do you happen to know how much Volkswagen would have paid if I had all the inspections done? (I'm missing one).


Best regards,
Ingo

Hello,

Could you please post the MKB and MJ information?
There are several actions related to this matter from Volkswagen...

I think MKB is the same as AKU, but I'll check again later.

The first registration date is January 1998, so it was likely manufactured in 1997.


1.7L engine displacement, 44kW power output.

What kind of actions are you referring to?

Hello,

There are many actions where the owners are not actively notified. In these cases, it is necessary that the relevant workshop carries out this process during an inspection (see also the error database).
Furthermore, there are known defects that are usually covered by the manufacturer (VAG) without charge to the owner.

Another question: Have you noticed any unusual noises coming from the valve control unit after a cold start?

No, I haven't noticed any unusual noises so far.
Neither during the cold start nor at any other time.

The car was running very well until the end and without any problems or noises whatsoever.

And then suddenly, it just stopped working today! It's a shame about the engine; it ran so well and was very fuel-efficient.



PS: The timing belt seems to be intact; I pulled on it just now, and it appears to be hanging loose somewhere at the bottom. I don't have any tools here, so I couldn't remove the cover.

Does it require a lot of force to turn the pump? When I pulled on the belt, the pump turned, or at least the drive wheel did. The shaft probably isn't sheared off.

Hi,

Regarding the engine: The 1.7L engine with 44 kW (the other, older 1.7L engine has less power) is the AKU model and, according to the "Polo Modification Guide," was installed from August 1997 onwards.

And: With this, Ingo's machine might be among the first automatic key units (AKUs) for the Polo... perhaps there really is such a problem, as Michael mentioned.

Best regards,

Jan.

That could be.


Let's see what the workshop says about it. I'll bring it home on Friday; I don't trust any workshops around here.

How does it work exactly? Are there only remanufactured engines available, or are there also brand new ones?



Are AT Motors refurbished or rebuilt?

Something very similar happened to me once, except my engine didn't stall, but the timing belt skipped a tooth! This occurred at around 80,000 kilometers.

However, everything was still good, and after a new installation, everything worked great again!

Okay, so if you're just skipping one inspection, it depends on which one!
'It doesn't matter to the court whether you made the modifications yourself or if they were done by Volkswagen; what matters is that it was a minor modification, like adding oil or small parts.'
You just need to have used the correct parts and oils!
VW can find out if that's the case within a week!
If you didn't have an inspection done where the timing belt should have been replaced, then things look very bad in terms of warranty or goodwill.

Please tell me which inspection is missing!

Hello.

Okay, so, I bought the Polo with approximately 30,000 kilometers on it, and the inspection had just been done.

The damage occurred at a mileage of 55,000 km.
Then the 45,000 km service is missing, assuming the interval is 15,000 km.

I changed the oil at 45,000 km, including a new filter.



As far as I know, Volkswagen owners check the belt every 30,000 km. Is that correct?

I don't know exactly how it works in your case!
Normally, they check the timing belt at 30,000 km!
The service intervals for Longlife vehicles are 90,000 km for the timing belt!
'If I were in your position, I wouldn't pay a single cent; I would expose everything about VW!'

Hello Ingo,

What does the tensioner actually do? Is the timing belt now broken or has it jumped a tooth?
Why don't you contact Volkswagen and explain your problem?
http://www.volkswagen.de/com/mailer/vw_ag.htm

A broken timing belt or tensioner pulley after only a few kilometers is quite concerning.

You wrote that you bought the vehicle with 30,000 km on the odometer. I don't want to make any accusations, but it's worth considering the possibility of tampering with the mileage and potentially missed services by the previous owner. So let's see if there's anything that suggests something might be amiss (e.g., oil change stickers in the engine compartment, stickers on the door frames, significantly more worn rubber pads on the brake/clutch pedals compared to similar vehicles, replaced windows, completed service and recall actions - the mileage should also be listed on the workshop invoices).

Best regards, Rainer.

That was definitely a post-polo party, right?

There's an even higher probability that it was turned around.
A colleague also has a post-Polo, and his timing belt broke, or rather, the teeth broke off, with 5,000 km before the regular maintenance interval.

arne

No, that wasn't a post-Polo party.
It's a 'civilian' version with the Sportline trim. (It has features like electric mirrors, sports seats with heated seats, ABS, and all that other stuff.)


Unfortunately, I can't tell if the belt is broken or not. I don't have any tools here and I can't get the cover off. I'll take it in on Friday, then I'll know more.

I once tried to remove the belt, but it wouldn't come off; it seems to be stuck somewhere at the bottom. I have no idea whether it's caught on the crankshaft pulley or the tensioner roller, because I don't know where the latter is located exactly.


'@ Rainer: When I bought the car, I only took a quick look to see if everything seemed correct, such as whether the service sticker in the door matched the oil record and the service book. Everything appeared to be in order there. The rubber pedal covers were neither new nor heavily worn. I think everything is fine.'




VW will most likely pay nothing; I've already called several VW dealerships, and they all give the same answer: there is no goodwill payment available.
I'm going to follow the link from Rainer now and see what it leads to.




Where am I supposed to tow the car now?

Should I go to Volkswagen (since they're installing a completely new engine), or should I go to 'Autechna' because I know and trust the mechanic there, or should I just go home?
I really don't want to have to borrow a trailer three times.