D5254T (to 2002, Audi) - Cambelt tensioner failure - please help ?

Coffo40 · Feb 27th, 2010, 16:44

My 1998 V70 D5252T let me down earlier this week. Travelling to work at 30mph, I thought the cambelt failed. I got towed to my usual mechanic and we took a look behind the cover. The cambelt was intact but slack and there was some oil splashed about. It seems that the tensioner bolt has come loose causing the cambelt to slip. I'm pretty sure there is valve damage, but where has the oil come from? The oil seals look OK. I know that it will be an expensive job, but I don't want to give the go ahead until I know why the tensioner failed and where the oil has come from. Does anyone have an insight please? I've searched the forum but can't find anything definitive.
Thanks,
Coffo40

bertuk · Feb 27th, 2010, 17:13

hi Coffo40, without actually looking at it it becomes a guessing game,the chances are that its stripped a few of the teeth on the belt, and will most probably have caused damage to the valves, unless your really lucky,as for the oil leak or splash, it could be a number of things slight oil seap from the head/camshaft trickling down and causing weakness on the rubber timing belt, you really need to have a garage inspect it either way,then take it from there i wish i could have been more helpful but with abit of luck someone on the forum may be able to shed more light on the problem

BillB · Feb 28th, 2010, 17:30

What is the mileage? The recommended belt and tensioner change is every 80k. It could be that the belt was changed but not the tensioner. Take the valve cover off to inspect the camshaft - I think they often snap when the belt fails but you may be lucky. Also these engines should only be worked on by someone who knows exactly what they are doing especially with regard to tensioner adjustment, crank bolt tightening and pump timing. Regards.

Coffo40 · Feb 28th, 2010, 18:06

Thanks to both replies so far. My car has done 157K and was due for the cambelt replacement (last one was done at 80K). I planned to have it replaced in the next couple of months

Taking the cambelt cover off, the belt is intact but loose. The head isn't off yet but I'm sure there will be valve damage.
I can only stress that the belt was slack and it seems to be due to the tensioner. I'm not sure but the tensioner mounting bolt may have actually worked loose ?
There was some oil around, but both main seals are dry and don't appear to be the source. I need to find out where the oil has come from as this could have caused the problem with the tensioner ? Or is the oil there because of the tensioner ?
The car is at a garage a few miles away and so I haven't been able to check it in more detail.

Coffo40 · Mar 2nd, 2010, 13:09

Quick update: the head is off and it looks like six of the valves managed to make contact with the pistons.
The tensioner is definitely kaput and the tensioner mount bolt was loose.
Camshaft oil seal and crankshaft oil seals are dry. Still none the wiser where the oil inside the cambelt cover has come from.

bertuk · Mar 3rd, 2010, 10:33

got me baffled ill go out and have alook at my engine see if theres any other gaskets seals etc where it might possibly leak oil from i know it sounds daft but is the sump pan gasket seal dry ? no oil seeping fro around that area

Feb 27th, 2010, 16:44	#1
Coffo40 New Member Last Online: Sep 11th, 2010 09:49 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Shrewsbury	Cambelt tensioner failure - please help ? My 1998 V70 D5252T let me down earlier this week. Travelling to work at 30mph, I thought the cambelt failed. I got towed to my usual mechanic and we took a look behind the cover. The cambelt was intact but slack and there was some oil splashed about. It seems that the tensioner bolt has come loose causing the cambelt to slip. I'm pretty sure there is valve damage, but where has the oil come from? The oil seals look OK. I know that it will be an expensive job, but I don't want to give the go ahead until I know why the tensioner failed and where the oil has come from. Does anyone have an insight please? I've searched the forum but can't find anything definitive. Thanks, Coffo40

Feb 27th, 2010, 17:13	#2
bertuk Senior Member Last Online: Sep 1st, 2017 22:00 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: liverpool	hi Coffo40, without actually looking at it it becomes a guessing game,the chances are that its stripped a few of the teeth on the belt, and will most probably have caused damage to the valves, unless your really lucky,as for the oil leak or splash, it could be a number of things slight oil seap from the head/camshaft trickling down and causing weakness on the rubber timing belt, you really need to have a garage inspect it either way,then take it from there i wish i could have been more helpful but with abit of luck someone on the forum may be able to shed more light on the problem __________________ t4 s40 phase 2 sport lux 2001:[SIGPIC] 1999 Volvo V70 Tdi 2001 Renault Master Campervan

Mar 3rd, 2010, 10:33	#6
bertuk Senior Member Last Online: Sep 1st, 2017 22:00 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: liverpool	got me baffled ill go out and have alook at my engine see if theres any other gaskets seals etc where it might possibly leak oil from i know it sounds daft but is the sump pan gasket seal dry ? no oil seeping fro around that area __________________ t4 s40 phase 2 sport lux 2001:[SIGPIC] 1999 Volvo V70 Tdi 2001 Renault Master Campervan

Feb 28th, 2010, 17:30	#3
BillB VOC Member Last Online: Apr 24th, 2024 13:58 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Bristol	What is the mileage? The recommended belt and tensioner change is every 80k. It could be that the belt was changed but not the tensioner. Take the valve cover off to inspect the camshaft - I think they often snap when the belt fails but you may be lucky. Also these engines should only be worked on by someone who knows exactly what they are doing especially with regard to tensioner adjustment, crank bolt tightening and pump timing. Regards.

Feb 28th, 2010, 18:06	#4
Coffo40 New Member Last Online: Sep 11th, 2010 09:49 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Shrewsbury	Thanks to both replies so far. My car has done 157K and was due for the cambelt replacement (last one was done at 80K). I planned to have it replaced in the next couple of months Taking the cambelt cover off, the belt is intact but loose. The head isn't off yet but I'm sure there will be valve damage. I can only stress that the belt was slack and it seems to be due to the tensioner. I'm not sure but the tensioner mounting bolt may have actually worked loose ? There was some oil around, but both main seals are dry and don't appear to be the source. I need to find out where the oil has come from as this could have caused the problem with the tensioner ? Or is the oil there because of the tensioner ? The car is at a garage a few miles away and so I haven't been able to check it in more detail.

Mar 2nd, 2010, 13:09	#5
Coffo40 New Member Last Online: Sep 11th, 2010 09:49 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Shrewsbury	Quick update: the head is off and it looks like six of the valves managed to make contact with the pistons. The tensioner is definitely kaput and the tensioner mount bolt was loose. Camshaft oil seal and crankshaft oil seals are dry. Still none the wiser where the oil inside the cambelt cover has come from.

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