I think I just ruined my engine

The other night I had to park in an unusual place on a very steep slope.

I always park in gear (manual) as that was how I was taught.

This time I thought I would see what would actually happen if the handbrake cable was to snap.

So, engine off, car facing nose down the slope, in reverse, handbrake on.

I release the handbrake, expecting the car to roll forward slightly and then stop.

It does not, instead it rolls forward and I can feel (what I think to be) the engine turnover twice (more on this part later).

This surprised me, but I thought that it's a very steep slope, and a fairly heavy car, so maybe that's what happened in that situation.

I left the car and went about my business.

About an hour ago I went to start the car- it fired initially, then stopped. Now when I turn the key the starter spins the engine but nothing fires. The engine is also spinning quite freely.

I suspect (and this is worst case obviously), that the cam belt slipped a couple of teeth, then when I went to start my new un-timed engine the valves and the pistons got really well acquainted.

Opinions?

If the engine is spinning freely at speed (noticeably more so than when you normally try to start it), sounds like the cam belt has snapped. The action of the car rolling down the steep slope may in theory have put more torque/stress through the cambelt than normal driving, but it does strike me as unusual.

Is it an 850? You may have got away without damaging the valves/pistons but a new belt aint cheap unless you can do it yourself. Lets hope I am wrong.

If the pistons have hit the valves it's time for a new short motor :(

Your diagnosis sounds possible. Try and get someone to have a look. I find trying to diagnose an engine problem without actually being there quite difficult.

The car rolling forward isn't that surprising to me. It depends on the compression ratio to stop so something with a low comp ratio e.g. something with a turbo would be easier to turn over, a diesel would typically be harder. When the car moved while in gear it was the same thing as bump starting.

I was taught to park in gear to stop thieves - they lift the back wheels to evade the handbrake but the gear locks the front (on a fwd car).
On a hill I was taught to turn the wheel so that the car, if it moved, would roll against the kerb.

to stop a car rolling forward you put in 1st and conversely reverse to stop it rolling backwards. I notice that everyone thinks that putting it in the opposite gear stops the car but it doesn't.

Something tells me that turning the engine backwards as what happened to you doest not do the engine any good.
I know you not supposed to do that when turning the engine for timing it.

(oh, Neil - you wally)

And +1 to Dylan

If the engine is spinning freely at speed (noticeably more so than when you normally try to start it), sounds like the cam belt has snapped. The action of the car rolling down the steep slope may in theory have put more torque/stress through the cambelt than normal driving, but it does strike me as unusual.

Is it an 850? You may have got away without damaging the valves/pistons but a new belt aint cheap unless you can do it yourself. Lets hope I am wrong.

Belt was new around 2,000 miles ago- I don't think it would have snapped.

Basing this on the belt being new and 300 horsepower not having snapped it under heavy load.

I can take the cam cover off and have a look and answer that one properly.

However I think if it did anything then it will have slipped, then when I tried to start it things went wrong fast.

These engines will run one tooth off, two teeth off and you find out why they are called interference engines I suspect.

If the pistons have hit the valves it's time for a new short motor :(

Head, valves and valve seals were all new with the cam-belt.

If it has done what I think it has, then it will be a case of head off and replace all the valves.

Bugger.

I need to push the car back into it's parking space- can anyone come and help me?

It's in SE23, I will repay your kindness.

Parking space is on the flat btw.

Manflu. Sorry.

Plus you do live a fair distance away.

I do own a functioning car.

Actually it needs a new coil pack.

Hope the damage is not too bad. A snapped cam belt is one of the dangers of the car I own. I should get it changed as it's not been done in 14K miles and everyday I expect it to snap and drive the valves into the cylinder head

Ironically I had the belt changed 2,000 miles ago

Actually it needs a new coil pack.

ditto, been at the garage 2 fecking weeks waiting for one

Went to the Renault dealer for a recall (something with that stupid electronic hand brake). As my car was chocking a bit and sometimes I had to put my foot on the accelerator to start it (electronic button operated ignition) I asked them to look at it. Few weeks and a £1.5k later - after fitting new timing belt, reprogramming, fitting new pulley etc. - they decided that I need new spark plugs.
They fitted them. It's even worse, as I've got "check emissions" light on. Went to the indie garage and was told to replace the coils. Dealer had only one cable in stock, wankers.
French stupid car. Mirrors don't want to unfold when it's raining. Another lightbulb went, day after getting the car back from the dealer. Screenwash doesn't feel like living the tank and moving towards the windscreen. What a total wank. Never French again for me. I'd rather buy a Skoda.

I need to push the car back into it's parking space- can anyone come and help me?
It's in SE23, I will repay your kindness.

Have you managed to get help for this yet?

If not I can come help you tomorow morning, would need to be fairly early though, like around 8.30 - 9.00. I'll check my pms before going to sleep tonight...

Szia

Loic

I just want to say, that French cars are well nice.*

*please someone escort Loic through the door...

Loic your help would be very much appreciated.

I'll PM my address now.

Rolling on a hill with gears engaged shouldn't harm anything, it's no worse than bump starting. If valves etc were harmed you should have heard a frightful clattering. When you say the engine spins rather freely, you are sure the engine is turning, and not just the starter? (sorry if this is patronising, but not everyone will notice)

Pretty sure that the engine is spinning- although you have just made me doubt myself!

I am in a quandary as to whether I should phone the AA tomorrow, which I wish to do in order to find out what is wrong, or wait until the mechanic is back in the country before calling them so that I might be recovered to his place in Leicester.

Rolling on a hill with gears engaged shouldn't harm anything, it's no worse than bump starting.

yeah but the car rolled forwards while in reverse gear, turning the engine over backwards. i'm intrigued as to what that might have done too. hope it's alright neil.

Thanks Al, the most annoying part of this is that we decided to have a look behind a tile in the bathroom this afternoon- and discovered that the fibre-board wall behind the tiles was so rotten that you could poke your finger through it.

I now need to work out how to get 2X4's and plasterboard into a GroBag.