my 3200 'project'

stradaman

New Member
Messages
376
It will not be a defective belt or tensioner/idlers.
It will be down to being fitted incorrectly.
Have been involved with Gates over the years who are the major players in cam belts and its always down to incorrect fitting if the pump and all other components in serviceable condition.
Phil.

Totally agree.
I bet this belt, was moaning like mad, due to wrong tension.
Sounds like the engine was up the rev range, when it snapped. Valves bend easy. Its piston, and any conrod/bearing/crank damage, that is the problem. If no bottom end damage, cheaper, just to buy a secondhand head complete, or buy the valves?
Talking of white cars. I remember Chris Evans painting all his Ferrari collection white. He had several models, until the James Coburn Ferrari 250 GTO came up for sale. Poor Chris couldn'y afford it, yet had to have it. His white collection had to go, to part pay for it!!

Andy.
 

lozcb

Member
Messages
12,557
Beats me why manufacturers are still **** bent on producing engines with cambelts , surely they are the achilles heel of any engine , makes sense to go back to the old fashioned method of chain and tensioners , Maserati did with the 4200 onwards , ...............is it a cost thing i doubt it ............... is it deliberate , guaranteeing a service item and that some lazy people will not bother and end up with expensive major problems



regards loz
 

drellis

Member
Messages
808
might be worth looking t the 3200 on copart, as no bids and will go for peanuts,engine bout the only bit not obviously trashed
 

stradaman

New Member
Messages
376
Beats me why manufacturers are still **** bent on producing engines with cambelts , surely they are the achilles heel of any engine , makes sense to go back to the old fashioned method of chain and tensioners , Maserati did with the 4200 onwards , ...............is it a cost thing i doubt it ............... is it deliberate , guaranteeing a service item and that some lazy people will not bother and end up with expensive major problems



regards loz
All Nissan engines, have been chain driven, for a few years now. Originally, belts were used, because of their quietness. But chains are now, super quiet.
Having said that, there are plastic belts out there, that have a lifetime warranty.
I do not know why, with todays technology, camshafts are not done away with, and valves controlled by electronic hydraulics. I know BMW, looked at a system. It will come!!

Andy.
 

drellis

Member
Messages
808
timing chains better, nothng infallable, i am looking at a audi s4 avant family wagon, circa 2005. it has a 4.2v8 with chain at back of the engine, the chain does no go but the nylon guides that silence the chain do, but this ismosty after 100,000 plus miles - its also a engne out job
 

davy83

Member
Messages
2,823
It will not be a defective belt or tensioner/idlers.
It will be down to being fitted incorrectly.
Have been involved with Gates over the years who are the major players in cam belts and its always down to incorrect fitting if the pump and all other components in serviceable condition.
Phil.
Since the tensioner has no adjustments have you any idea what a badly fitted belt is? i know the water pump and idler pulley are regular culprits? but it s th tensioner is cleaned up and working properly it cannot be adjusted as far as i remember, so I am wondering how you would get it wrong? I am interested if any one has direct experience of this since my cam belt needs done again later this year.
 

philw696

Member
Messages
25,442
With timing chain engines the most important part of maintenance is clean internals so regular oil and filter changes are a must.
Again with timing belt installation is people not knowing what a torque wrench is and how to use it yet alone having it callibrated.
Phil.
 

philw696

Member
Messages
25,442
Is it a auto tensioner on the 3200 engine never having done one on that engine but have done thousands on others.
Phil.
 

stradaman

New Member
Messages
376
timing chains better, nothng infallable, i am looking at a audi s4 avant family wagon, circa 2005. it has a 4.2v8 with chain at back of the engine, the chain does no go but the nylon guides that silence the chain do, but this ismosty after 100,000 plus miles - its also a engne out job
Yeah, same on the 2.8vr6, fitted in VW, and Ford models. Around 90k, the rear chain starts to rattle, and its an engine out job, to replace. Ignore it at you peril!! Use to see plenty 2.8 models at auction with circa 90k-100k on them. Start up was always listen for the chain rattle.

Andy.
 

drellis

Member
Messages
808
agreed rattle at start up is the only question i am asking on the phone- keep geting the usual "they all do that" off dealers. at least belts on the 3200 last better than some,. my old lotus esprit s4 had a belt thats changed every 3 years or 14,000, it was so thin you woud beieve it! less han half the width of a ford focus 1.8 zetec i had - probaby as the basic engine design was from the early seventies
 

lozcb

Member
Messages
12,557
As with most things when they quote an engine out job for something (relitively minor as changing the chain nylon bushes) also as in changing the chains on the 3200 , are you really relling me they cant be done in situ in reality ,i know several indies that can do it very successfully by dropping subframe/engine mounts etc

More ways of bamboozleing joe public with a view to extorting our hard earned



regards loz
 

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,631
I saw this car, the paint job was really good, the carbon wheels looked ok, as did the mirrors, door handles and vents.

What did suck on this car was the tinted glass and the interior.

If you address those issues, then it will make a descent car, I hope you got it cheap. Personally I would say the car is not worth £5k so I hope you grabbed a bargain.

You probably have the engine sorted but if not contact David Askew.
 

lozcb

Member
Messages
12,557

stradaman

New Member
Messages
376
If they were fitted with a duplex chain they would last forever but these tiny bicycle chains are just madness.
Phil.

Yep i think Saab went to single chain, had loads of probs, and went back to duplex
And my grey matter is telling me, some early VW vr6, had duplex.

Andy.
 

beau

Member
Messages
1,391
finally managed to get one head off, been very busy recently!

8d85e883.jpg


as you can see, at least 14 valves are totaly bent!

the pistons look to have fared reasonably well, should be fine.

bbad82a9.jpg
 

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,154
Brave man..I wouldn't know where to start.....Look forward to seeing her in fine fettle at some stage.