Discussion
Strange one this.
On returning from Santa Pod on the M25 there was a clatter clatter noise, knocked the engine off and coasted onto the hard shoulder.
Having had a problem of it throwing belts at S/P I had a clue of what it might be.
TCLSS the head of the crank pulley bolt has snapped off leaving the thread inside the crank. Got 'Thread Wizard' coming round this eve to have a look. I'm hoping the job can be done with the engine in situ.
I have never heard of this happening before.
On returning from Santa Pod on the M25 there was a clatter clatter noise, knocked the engine off and coasted onto the hard shoulder.
Having had a problem of it throwing belts at S/P I had a clue of what it might be.
TCLSS the head of the crank pulley bolt has snapped off leaving the thread inside the crank. Got 'Thread Wizard' coming round this eve to have a look. I'm hoping the job can be done with the engine in situ.
I have never heard of this happening before.
This is a common fault and had same situation with my Griff 500 when on track day. Head of bolt snaps off due to fatigue stress failure. If you look at the remaining bolt when removed you can see signs of aged cracking, a problem waiting to happen. This is not because the bolt has loosened. In mine and most cases, the remaining bolt can simply be unscewed with fingers or simple tool. Can be a major problem i'm told requiring crank removal in worst cases.
I believe this bolt costs around £4 and change mine at regular service intervals now to eliminate the risk of failure.
With the engines getting older and having sure signs of fatigue, I would suggest every owner changes the bolt at sometime rather than waiting for this problem to occur.
Pretty sure its mainly 5.0 litre engines that have this issue.
Hope yours comes out.
I believe this bolt costs around £4 and change mine at regular service intervals now to eliminate the risk of failure.
With the engines getting older and having sure signs of fatigue, I would suggest every owner changes the bolt at sometime rather than waiting for this problem to occur.
Pretty sure its mainly 5.0 litre engines that have this issue.
Hope yours comes out.
My guess is that bolt has been cracking through slowly and thats why your pulley developed enough wobble to throw the belt at the pod. I think Alex probably finished it off by trying to tighten it 
Either way it would have dropped off sooner or later, good you heard it and stopped the car quickly.
Hopefully the key and crank will be fine.
As said with a bit of luck the rest of the bolt may come out easily. New bolt and washer in place job done. Try ang have a go at it before the Wizard charges you.
Either way it would have dropped off sooner or later, good you heard it and stopped the car quickly.
Hopefully the key and crank will be fine.
As said with a bit of luck the rest of the bolt may come out easily. New bolt and washer in place job done. Try ang have a go at it before the Wizard charges you.
That's right, blame the guy who tired to help.........
How I looked at it was, it was knackered and going to fall off/snap at some stage
So might aswel try and get him home
Get that swirl pot bracket/brace off (4xbolts) pull the pulley off I can't see any reason why it wouldn't just pull off using your hands
Then either cry or celebrate
How I looked at it was, it was knackered and going to fall off/snap at some stage
So might aswel try and get him home
Get that swirl pot bracket/brace off (4xbolts) pull the pulley off I can't see any reason why it wouldn't just pull off using your hands
Then either cry or celebrate
15 min job and £4, or 3 week job and ££££££££££££££££££££££
Have know engines being taken out to give access to crank end to remove bolt. Thats why its better for all to take heed and change the bolt when they are years old. Learnt my lesson, but got off lightly even if on the back of an AA truck.
Hope all goes well.
Have know engines being taken out to give access to crank end to remove bolt. Thats why its better for all to take heed and change the bolt when they are years old. Learnt my lesson, but got off lightly even if on the back of an AA truck.
Hope all goes well.
Took the pulley off last night and the bolt is well and truly stuck. It has snapped inside the crank so no matter how much prodding and turning it wouldn't budge. So Monday afternoon the Thread Wizard is coming round to have go.
Isn't it typical, glorious sunshine an car sat in the garage. Ho hum it is the first time in four years that it has been off the road.
Isn't it typical, glorious sunshine an car sat in the garage. Ho hum it is the first time in four years that it has been off the road.
The bolt is out. £110 to the Tread Wizard but worth it. 
Finally got the new pulley back from balancing today, thanks to Chessman Engineering. This broken bolt has been a bloody saga and has cost in excess of £600. Consisting of:-
New bolt and washer
New oil pump drive gear (this had jumped over the woodruff key)
New pulley
Balancing of Pulley
Gaskets
New woodruff key
New Vernier and duplex timing chain
Retrieving broken bolt from crank
Crank oil seal
Oil Change
Postage
Check your bolt or replace it as a matter of course at your next service.
New bolt and washer
New oil pump drive gear (this had jumped over the woodruff key)
New pulley
Balancing of Pulley
Gaskets
New woodruff key
New Vernier and duplex timing chain
Retrieving broken bolt from crank
Crank oil seal
Oil Change
Postage
Check your bolt or replace it as a matter of course at your next service.
Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff