And another AAZ engine bites the dust

[AadmanZ]

Hallo all, new here, have a Caddy with an AAZ engine. great car, great engine so far..

And yes, I too have a pulley that came undone.. Being a total VW noob I had no idea that I should've checked this..

What to do now? (very basic skills, decent tools, but no VW/car specific)

A. check crank end, put on new pulley bolt, time everything correctly and try to start it, what's broken is already broken.
B. Take the head off, check valves and pistons for damage, (if needed, get a new head) check crank end for damage, new pulley, new bolt, new belt, get an expert in to time everything and run it.  
C. Screw it, engine is done for, valves are surely bent/broken, crank end is cracked, buy a new engine and swap it.

Will check crank end later this week anyway, have not had time to do that just yet.

My main question is, how to assess the extent of the damage? and minimize the cost of the operation?

Suggestions are appreciated..

[jtanguay]

where did it break? if it broke while idling, then you probably don't have severe damage.  if it broke while on the highway, the motor will have extensive damage.

[burn_your_money]

Pop the valve cover off and have a look for anything out of the ordinary, like metal shavings, messed up lifters etc

[AadmanZ]

where did it break? if it broke while idling, then you probably don't have severe damage.  if it broke while on the highway, the motor will have extensive damage.

It broke while starting. I heard a slight rattle while driving, didn't trust it, parked the car, started it up two days later, it coughed twice and then just turned over on the starter motor.

[AadmanZ]

Pop the valve cover off and have a look for anything out of the ordinary, like metal shavings, messed up lifters etc

No metal shavings, nothing out of the ordinary as far as I can see. Can't see any lifters (must be hydraulic  then?)

[jtanguay]

where did it break? if it broke while idling, then you probably don't have severe damage.  if it broke while on the highway, the motor will have extensive damage.

It broke while starting. I heard a slight rattle while driving, didn't trust it, parked the car, started it up two days later, it coughed twice and then just turned over on the starter motor.

you might be lucky then...  maybe just fix the crank pulley, and re-time it?

[Doug]

You can count on at least several bent valves.

[AadmanZ]

You can count on at least several bent valves.

Figured as much, but do I need to take the head off to check this?

[Doug]

I think that you are getting a bit ahead of yourself. Assuming that no valves are bent (I wish that for your sake but will amost guarantee that there are some that will be bent) and you are going to set the crankshaft, camshaft and pump in correct relation to each other to get the timing belt in place, then doing a compression check afterwards would tell you if you have leaking valves (hence damaged).

If you have the time why not pull the head, repair valves, replace head gasket (a normal maintenance item) then spend the time to get the crank aligned to the camshaft and pump with a new timing belt and crank sprocket? It would be a better use of your efforts.

[AadmanZ]

I think that you are getting a bit ahead of yourself. Assuming that no valves are bent (I wish that for your sake but will amost guarantee that there are some that will be bent) and you are going to set the crankshaft, camshaft and pump in correct relation to each other to get the timing belt in place, then doing a compression check afterwards would tell you if you have leaking valves (hence damaged).

If you have the time why not pull the head, repair valves, replace head gasket (a normal maintenance item) then spend the time to get the crank aligned to the camshaft and pump with a new timing belt and crank sprocket? It would be a better use of your efforts.

I guess you are right, I will check the crank to see if there is any damage there, if not, just take the head off for inspection.

[jtanguay]

burn your money was selling a motor that jumped time probably because of crank pulley.  he re-timed it and it worked.  i think he probably used a new crank bolt though...

who knows, it may be your lucky day!!!  

[burn_your_money]

burn your money was selling a motor that jumped time probably because of crank pulley.  he re-timed it and it worked.  i think he probably used a new crank bolt though...

who knows, it may be your lucky day!!!  

Sure didn't. The crank felt perfectly solid. I'm parting that engine out instead though. Once I retimed it it ran just fine. If you suspect any problems with the crank though have it completely inspected

[AadmanZ]

burn your money was selling a motor that jumped time probably because of crank pulley.  he re-timed it and it worked.  i think he probably used a new crank bolt though...

who knows, it may be your lucky day!!!  

Sure didn't. The crank felt perfectly solid. I'm parting that engine out instead though. Once I retimed it it ran just fine. If you suspect any problems with the crank though have it completely inspected

Will check this evening.. Anyone have a Timing how to? Will have to order a Bentley manual, but haven't gotten round to it.

[Doug]

Read this stuff over http://vwdiesel.net/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=3587

[Mark(The Miser)UK]

where did it break? if it broke while idling, then you probably don't have severe damage.  if it broke while on the highway, the motor will have extensive damage.

It broke while starting. I heard a slight rattle while driving, didn't trust it, parked the car, started it up two days later, it coughed twice and then just turned over on the starter motor.

you might be lucky then...  maybe just fix the crank pulley, and re-time it?

Are you sure that anything is damaged internally? Would you be able to drive with the symptoms of only a 'slight rattle' if timing was off and valves hitting or even stuck open due to being bent?
I feel very optimistic... makes a change  :roll:
Sure it won't start now but that's another issue