Break down

[Tarmacshredder]

Unfortunately this evening my Cerbera has broken down whilst traveling through the village at 30mph started to slow for the bend in the middle of the village and then there was what sounded like a belt or timing chain coming off, it cut out and I managed to coast it into a parking area. Pressing the start button it spun over a bit quick as though it had no compression, both belts are on, anyone come across a timing chain coming off or snapping the car is a April 1997 4.2 29,000miles my other though is crank snapped as it is an early car and nothing in the service history for a replacement engine but what I have read is they normally fail when being pushed hard. I put it into gear and the car cannot be pushed so there is resistance from the engine.
Have to go and recover it in the morning but any ideas or other peoples experiences gratefully received.

[FarmyardPants]

If the timing chain has snapped, some of the valves will be partially open hence you will have no compression whether or not you have broken anything. But the chances of no valves being open enough to interfere with the pistons is slim, I would've thought.

Best of luck..

[Tarmacshredder]

Thanks for the reply, I am sure if it is the chain there will be bent valves hopefully I wont have the problems Andy had with his heads and damaged cam buckets and cams as mine are also the earlier rattle cams.
I hadn't heard of timing chain problems but after a quick look round there is an engine for sale at the moment which has a timing chain fault after a guide bolt has come undone and they are still asking £3000 for it damaged!

[ukkid35]

At 29k you would been insanely unlucky for a simple cam chain fail. My understanding is that 100k is a very safe change interval.

However you could have lost sprocket bolts, but I imagine there would have been indications beforehand.

Nevertheless if it feels like there's no compression on the starter motor then that is not good - BTDT.

Wish you luck.

[gruffalo]

It has been known for the nose of the crank to snap off but rare.

If you have a bust crank I have a large journal crank in good order that you could persuade me to part with if that helps.

[Tanguero]

And I have a spare 4.2 small journal crank if that is the one you need. I also have pistons and valves and cams for a 4.2 should you need them.

Edited by Tanguero on Tuesday 5th January 16:25

[Tarmacshredder]

Thanks for the advice and offers of parts depending on what I might need, I haven't managed to get the car recovered back yet to see what has happened and don't suppose until I take the engine out that it is going to be obvious what has failed and why.
Whilst the engine is out I am guessing I will be starting the slippery slope of body off.
I will post some more info what has happened when I get it back and get the cam covers off.

[WIL35]

I had my timing chain break on my 98 4.2 at about 20k miles just after I bought it. It did the same as you describe and at the time I was confused why I could spin the alternator pulley with my fingertips! I thought perhaps it was just the short alternator drive shaft that had broken. Nope!

Luckily it was still under warranty, but it needed new cylinder heads. It took a few months to get the work done and then another month of going back and forth while they got the timing right. However, once it was sorted I quickly did another reliable 25k miles!

[Tarmacshredder]

Quick update, have manged to recover back and after Will's suggestion spun the alternator over by hand and no resistance so initial thoughts were confirmed that the chain isn't doing anything and has either snapped or come off. Next step will be to make space to get it in and get the engine out to see what damage has been caused and why it failed in the first place.
Thanks for every ones suggestions and offers of parts will let you know what I find next.

[billynobrakes]

Tarmacshredder said:

Quick update, have manged to recover back and after Will's suggestion spun the alternator over by hand and no resistance so initial thoughts were confirmed that the chain isn't doing anything and has either snapped or come off. Next step will be to make space to get it in and get the engine out to see what damage has been caused and why it failed in the first place.
Thanks for every ones suggestions and offers of parts will let you know what I find next.

Sounds very similar symptom's to mine, turning over very quick but nothing happening, hope it is not the same as mine as is was the crank snapped in half, which completely destroyed the engine but that was in 2001 similar age car though mine is December 96, let us know how you get on