Volvo AQ151 Cambelt Failure

[SailorSam]

AQ 151 petrol engine stopped suddenly at 3500 revs - investigation showed cam belt had failed. (belt changed 55 hrs ago!).

Grateful for any advice on likely damage and best way forward
Thanks

 

[BarryH]

If you have the single cam engine, you should be ok as the valve piston clearence is big enuff for the valve train to be ok. Align the timing marks and fit a new belt. If its the dohc engine, wave bye bye to your bank balance. Who fitted and/or supplied the belt. Volvo give a 500 hour sevice life to the belt, altho I've had a belt go after a winter lay up.

Before you go any further tho, take out all plugs and turn over the engine by hand, if you feel no unusual reistance. All should be well, if you do STOP. Piston and valve have met at a rapid rate of knots and the head will have to come off for further investigation. If all is ok and no resistance is felt, time it up and fit new belt. Do a compression test to check all is ok. refit plugs and fire the beasty up.

The "book" says that sohc engines will be ok if the belt breaks while running, including the 151. The dohc have a smaller piston/valve clearence. When buying a new belt go to your car shop, tell them what engine you have, its on the block it will be a B23E or somthing like it, and you'll save loads. If you have any probs give me a shout.

OK, to hell with it. Unbolt it and we'll use it as an anchor!

 

[SailorSam]

Thanks Barry - will try next weekend and let you know

Simon

 

[Guest]

The 151 is the single cam engine I think the171 is the 16 valve twin cam, best way to go if the heads a write off is to buy a scrap engine from a breakers yard for the head, or even a whole car it may be cheaper, then use parts as req, a friend of mine has 171s in a flyer 8 ,he changes belts every year to prevent belt failure, the problem lies in rust build up on the pulleys over the winter layup period, he also removes the exhaust manifolds a s well.

paul js

 

[jonnyflybridge]

I hate to worry you, but the same thing happened to me a few years ago with an AD171, I needed a complete set of valves, the head skimming and a bankloan to pay for it, around £1250.00

 

[SailorSam]

Thanks for advice - No damagedone andonly needed a new belt (Phew) - up and running again

Simon