Hopefully it not what they refer to as an interference engine where valves get bent after a cam belt breakage.
He explained that at length but says that there is a built in weak part of some engines which may protect the valves. Just got to wait and see. If I have to buy a new car I expect it will have to be electric 
1 Like
They just about all are these days…certainly diesels are all of this type. Mine was making noise in that area and the mecs changed it. I didn’t understand quite what was wrong with it, but they changed the crank seal. I think on my engine, the PSA 1.6 hdi, the cams get ruined when this happens. I used to work on my own VW 1.6 IDI engines and they would bend connecting rods when the timing was wrong.
1 Like
Yes, even not being an expert, I knew something was wrong by the strange noises.
What car/engine do you have?
Was it the Peugeot Partner? Was it a diesel? Our Partner diesel had a snapped timing belt after less than 30,000 miles. It wrote off the engine which was replaced under warranty. I really hope yours hasn’t gone the same way 
Edit: The car was doing 70mph (no faster, honest 
) on the motorway at the time, which may have made it worse.
Too poncy for me something like this would do me nicely:
It’s even got its own fridge to keep the ice cream cold, took me ages to get through all that ice cream though.
And yes @hairbear the Peugeot Partner I bought 10 years ago, probably 4 years old at the time and by now has around 350,000 kms on the clock. 
3 Likes
I never expected the day to arrive when you would say that David! Broken belts and bent valves are some of the many moving parts you will never have to worry about again. I wish you a quick and economical solution to your current woes.
A bit surprised myself Mik, but let’s wait for the bill before deciding. 
1 Like
@David_Spardo - is that the Renault Magnum ? Back in the 90’s my late ex-husband was the first driver in his company to drive one of those and it was superb. And is the one in the photo one that you used to drive (clue: Name plate in front window?)
Since I have a second dedicated parking space where I’m going to move, I am seriously considering getting one of these C3 Pluriels, in diesel.
https://youtu.be/BFmQ3oVqoIo?si=ZQa0dVmYQOHb6CEb
Don’t laugh please. I really would enjoy some sort of convertible, but I also could use something that can haul some light bulky things around. I’ve seen several of these with very low mileage for their age, in diesel, for very little money. The catch is, most of them have broken tops. But, I think I can possibly fix them, or at least, convert them to manual where you would have to get out and pull the thing back.
2 Likes
Ooh I remember a BMW 320i timing belt going on a motorway when I was truly doing just under 70mph too.
It waa just past Gatwick on a fine Saturday morning at this time of year, I think on the M23, one of those days when you thank your lucky stars (again) it’s a company car.
A noise like bullets going through a machine gun in the engine. Clatter - Clatter - Clatter and a sudden loss of power.
The timing belt going early on it turned out to be a Known Problem. It was supposed to be changed at 42,000 miles. The timing belt went at 41,500 miles and the car had already been booked in for the 42,000 mile service the following week. So thanks to me always servicing it on time, I think the company was squeaky clean and couldn’t be blamed.
That’s the best thing about a company car- if it breaks down you just leave it and they give you another one 
Priceless
1 Like
My BIL bought three new ones when he set up in business as he loved the Magnum so much. Unfortunately several large customers went bust and so did he so they had to go back to Renault. He likes a DAF these days and lives in his a week at a time
It was indeed Rachel, far and away the best cab on a lorry I ever drove, super comfy and roomy. Also both night heater and air/con, really spoilt I was. I had it from new after only a month in the job, unlike in England where newbies got the crappiest motors, and then worked up, here they got brand new and was expected to look after it for its life.
The name plate was so that friends approaching on the road could decide whether to call up on the CB. I normally had twin firestick antennes attached to the mirror arms but sometimes unscrewed them for customs etc. Not every country allowed CBs.
I wonder if you would like to see Wonderwoman holding back with her enormous strength a lorry that has lost its brakes?
I’ll own up, that was my darling Fran on our elopement trip to Italy in 1977 in her ‘customs’ jumper. Most drivers struggled to clear customs in certain countries without flashing a bit of currency, and the haggling could be quite delaying. Not for us, I would hide out of sight in the cab and Fran would drive it through wearing that tight jumper that you see. She would stride into the building with all papers ready and a pleading expression on her face, the Italians went wild and moved heaven and earth to grant her wishes, and off we went to the chagrin of our friends who simply did not have the necessary equipment. 
Even the Germans once fell under her spell in a roadside check, when I happily was poorly and sleeping on the bunk as she climbed down to meet them.
Oh dear, see what you have done, driven me to the ultimate thread drift on my 2 favourite subjects, Fran, and lorries.
Edit: Oops, sorry Jules, 3 favourite subjects. 
7 Likes
Lovely story David. 
1 Like
Indeed.
There were others in Italy, if you are very good I might tell you one day. 
1 Like
Always ready for your stories (and photos) David
1 Like
