318i stopped working

[tylerma]

just out in the car (318i convertible auto)
slowed down because of a lorry turning

once clear went to accelerate started moving
all of a sudden i heard a pop and the engine died

coasted along pulled over
wont start

engine sounded different to before while trying to start

am i looking at a cam belt gone

sorry if this is a bit short

any help greatly appreciated

also does the M40 have a belt or chain

[Brianmoooore]

M40 has a belt. If you think it may have broken, take the distributor cap off and see if the rotor turns.
Plenty of other less expensive reasons why an engine should make a noise and die though.

[tylerma]

M40 has a belt. If you think it may have broken, take the distributor cap off and see if the rotor turns.
Plenty of other less expensive reasons why an engine should make a noise and die though.

cheers Brian
i will try that in the morning

I take it if it turns freely then its the belt yeah

[Brianmoooore]

M40 has a belt. If you think it may have broken, take the distributor cap off and see if the rotor turns.
Plenty of other less expensive reasons why an engine should make a noise and die though.

cheers Brian
i will try that in the morning

I take it if it turns freely then its the belt yeah

No, turns when you crank the engine is what I mean.
My guess is there's nothing wrong with the belt. More likely an ignition fault.

[tylerma]

M40 has a belt. If you think it may have broken, take the distributor cap off and see if the rotor turns.
Plenty of other less expensive reasons why an engine should make a noise and die though.

cheers Brian
i will try that in the morning

I take it if it turns freely then its the belt yeah

No, turns when you crank the engine is what I mean.
My guess is there's nothing wrong with the belt. More likely an ignition fault.

pardon my stupidness mate
little bit wired at the moment

thanks for the advice will report back tomorrow

[Gwynleym10]

hope it all works out mate!

I'm moving in your directiobn at the weekend!

[tylerma]

just been out to have a look
and the rotor arm dont turn when i crank the engine
so am i now looking at the cam belt gone

also what sort of damage am i looking at

I'm moving in your direction at the weekend!

where abouts mate

[Mahmood]

Malcolm - if you need anything give me a call.

I'm moving in your directiobn at the weekend!

Whereabouts Gwynlwym10? You work up the road from me as well, I am at Trafalgar Square at the top of the Mall.

Another one to join the East London E30 Massive!

[tylerma]

Malcolm - if you need anything give me a call.

cheers mate

i am proper pissed off at the moment
just wondering what sort of damage has been done

[Karan]

cam belts defo gone..... uve prob bent 2/3 valves

i did this on my m40 when i had it....

get demlots m42 and whck it in mate.... no point bothering to rebuild that engine, ive done the head on one before and it wasnt the most fun.. not cheap either!

u know my number..... gimme a call if u want

Karan

[jonbuoy]

cam belts defo gone..... uve prob bent 2/3 valves

i did this on my m40 when i had it....

get demlots m42 and whck it in mate.... no point bothering to rebuild that engine, ive done the head on one before and it wasnt the most fun.. not cheap either!

u know my number..... gimme a call if u want

Karan

I thought i read that's Andrew's engine needed rebuilding aswell???

[Brianmoooore]

Commiserations to you, mate, that definitely seems to be a cam belt gone.
Only upside is a M40 engine's not that valuable, and you should be able to get a replacement fairly easily and cheaply. I wouldn't bother trying to rebuild yours unless there's something special about it.
Take the opportunity to get rid of that power sapping auto box while you're at it, or go the whole hog and stick in the iS lump.