Timing Belt Snapping (early).

[Dacabbie]

My timing belt snapped last saturday after only 30k. I'm still waiting for someone to assess the damage. In the meantime I've been wracking my brains as to how & why it broke, then it suddenly occured the water leak I've been having (which my mechanics can't pin-point exactly where its comming from) may be spraying out over the Cam belt and pully etc causing it to corrode. Any thoughts on this wild theory would be much appreiciated
ps I forgot to mention its a Passat tdi 130 2002
:1zhelp:

[Baron_Samedi]

I feel for you man :(

But, I doubt that water, even with additives would cause a cam belt to break.

The reason being that the materials used in such a part would have been tested in all manner of fluids and at extremes of temperature before gaining acceptance from VW for use on a vehicle.

That leads to another possibility that your garage may have used a pattern part that was not authenticated or the part just failed owing to manufacturing deficiency, which of course even an OEM part could do.

Best to wait for the assessment before determining your course of action...

[chrisvrscrx]

The water could be coming from the water pump that could of come into contact with the cambelt and tentioner.

[Baron_Samedi]

Either way, water should not damage a cambelt.

I can imagine some chemicals causing one to delaminate but not water, unless its been skanked with some really unusual material.

[Frank.A]

The water pump could have been on the way out,hence the leak.Worn water pumps have been known to cause premature wear and snapping of the belt,thats why it is usual to replace the pump when the belt is changed.

Best,
Frank

[Dacabbie]

The water pump could have been on the way out,hence the leak.Worn water pumps have been known to cause premature wear and snapping of the belt,thats why it is usual to replace the pump when the belt is changed.

Best,
Frank
Thats whats so strange because the water pump was changed 2 months after the timing belt and I managed to get hold of metal impeller type pump too as opposed to more common plastic type.
:confused: cheers,
David

[ronnyb]

You don't say how old the car is or what model, diesel / petrol?

[craigey1]

Thats whats so strange because the water pump was changed 2 months after the timing belt and I managed to get hold of metal impeller type pump too as opposed to more common plastic type.
:confused: cheers,
David

That could have been your problem. The Cam belt would have had to come out again when the water pump was changed. You should never refit a used cam belt.

[chrisvrscrx]

Who is to say the water pump was fitted correctly? It could have been leaking.

[Baron_Samedi]

That could have been your problem. The Cam belt would have had to come out again when the water pump was changed. You should never refit a used cam belt.

Yep, for what they cost, leaving a used cambelt in place is false economy.

Also, did your mechanic carry out a pressure test to work out where the fluid is going?

[Dacabbie]

That could have been your problem. The Cam belt would have had to come out again when the water pump was changed. You should never refit a used cam belt.
Thanks for that info:beerchug: It could prove very useful when I mention that to engineers concerned.
All the Best

[craigey1]

No probs.
It's only because the cam belt will have already stretched. Mechanics (or at least good ones) will advise you to replace the water pump at the same time as the cam belt even if your existing pump is fine.

Anyway good luck.

[Dacabbie]

Yep, for what they cost, leaving a used cambelt in place is false economy.

Also, did your mechanic carry out a pressure test to work out where the fluid is going?
My mechanic performed a pressure test with no conclusive results 3 weeks ago, although there were signs water had been leaking out of a union attached to the pipe leading down from the reservior.