Timing Belt Snapped.

[tonyloban]

So my belt snapped. I was rolling about 5mph when it snapped. Right before it happend, I was about to gas to speed up but as soon as I touched the gas, I heard a faint click and the car died instantly and wouldn't start after that.

I had someone come over and check it out and confirm that it's the timing belt because I don't know too much about working on cars. Learning as I'm going.

So, if there's a chance that nothing was broken besides the belt (is that even possible or am I indefinitely screwed?) how would I go about knowing? I'm ready to order a huge pack of a timing belt kit which I already had ordered but went on back order (lucky me).

I've heard compression test but I need to replace the timing belt for that. What else before that can I do to check before I waste my time changing a bunch of new parts.

[Mr. Tasty]

So my belt snapped. I was rolling about 5mph when it snapped. Right before it happend, I was about to gas to speed up but as soon as I touched the gas, I heard a faint click and the car died instantly and wouldn't start after that.

I had someone come over and check it out and confirm that it's the timing belt because I don't know too much about working on cars. Learning as I'm going.

So, if there's a chance that nothing was broken besides the belt (is that even possible or am I indefinitely screwed?) how would I go about knowing? I'm ready to order a huge pack of a timing belt kit which I already had ordered but went on back order (lucky me).

I've heard compression test but I need to replace the timing belt for that. What else before that can I do to check before I waste my time changing a bunch of new parts.

Bent/broken valves is pretty much every case of snapped timing belt. Compression test won't work with broken valves

[tonyloban]

Bent/broken valves is pretty much every case of snapped timing belt. Compression test won't work with broken valves

How do I check the valves?

[PumpdUpKicks]

How do I check the valves?

Removing valve cover and rocker arms

[Cabriolet]

100% sure bent valves and 90% sure you also damaged 2+ valve guides.

you will need to pull the head off and have it rebuilt or get a good used one and resurface it. either way you are out ~$500-2k depending on if you do the job or have a shop do it.

[tonyloban]

100% sure bent valves and 90% sure you also damaged 2+ valve guides.

you will need to pull the head off and have it rebuilt or get a good used one and resurface it. either way you are out ~$500-2k depending on if you do the job or have a shop do it.

So unless I rebuild, there's no use in replacing the timing belt + other stuff like wp and therm?

[Cabriolet]

So unless I rebuild, there's no use in replacing the timing belt + other stuff like wp and therm?

if you replace the timing belt and water pump, the car wont run. until you change/fix the head. i've rebuilt many of these engines. in the 10 years of driving these cars, 0 of the heads with snapped timing belts could be fixed without taking off the head.
the amount of force your engine makes at just idle is would astonish you. it will bend more than a valve

[tonyloban]

if you replace the timing belt and water pump, the car wont run. until you change/fix the head. i've rebuilt many of these engines. in the 10 years of driving these cars, 0 of the heads with snapped timing belts could be fixed without taking off the head.
the amount of force your engine makes at just idle is would astonish you. it will bend more than a valve

Dang. Thanks for the info

[Madhatter]

I see many of these in your future.

[tonyloban]

I see many of these in your future.

Lol. I'm in college and engaged. This might mean just sell which I REALLY don't want to :/

Decisions decisions

[redlightpete]

This would be a good time to arrange a back-up car. It makes older BMW ownership a lot more affordable and less stressful. A used head swap isn't that bad a job if you don't have to get it running by the end of the weekend. A well sorted e30 is worth it, so don't give up.

[SkiFree]

The problem is timing belts on these cars just don't "break" unless they've been neglected service-wise. What I'm saying is there is nothing inherently "weak" about the design, if you're unsure of the last timing belt job it just needs to be done.

[tonyloban]

The problem is timing belts on these cars just don't "break" unless they've been neglected service-wise. What I'm saying is there is nothing inherently "weak" about the design, if you're unsure of the last timing belt job it just needs to be done.

I know that. I had the parts ordered and they went on back order. I was getting ready to do it. Just got very very unlucky.

[SkiFree]

Bummer. Well, I wish you the best. You'll have a decent piece of mind once you've gone through the head though.

[EatsHondas]

Same thing happened to me. New (to me) head and it ran great for a few thousand miles. Then rod knock. Don't know how common it is for bottom end problems to follow a broken timing belt, but it happened to me.