96' 850 timing belt snapped

Cook.p.michael · Post by **Cook.p.michael** » 13 Mar 2017, 10:50

1996 Volvo 850 turbo 2.3L B5324T 200k miles, USA. Hey so after finished with a head gasket job I tried to start it, it sounded like it was about to start, then starting making less of a sound but still cranking strong. I checked everything i could think of and saw my timing belt was snapped. Now I did forget to put oil in the journeys of the camshafts, but also the car was sitting for half a year. Any advice on what would cause it to snap? I dont want to spend all the time replacing it just for it to snap again when I try to start it. The crankshaft moves, I see its gear moving when i get someone to turn it over, the water pump gear moves, the camshaft gears dont, I'm not sure if they are always really hard to move with it all put together or not. I'm trying to finish this job by Thursday because I've been using my parents garage to work in and they need it back soon. Thanks.

Post by **erikv11** » 13 Mar 2017, 10:57

Bad news but it sounds like the engine is badly out of time and the valves are interfering with the pistons. And possibly valves are bent now, too. Never ever crank over the engine with no timing belt on. That is recipe for a ruined head (bent valves). Is the crank anywhere near the timing mark right now?

Post by **erikv11** » 13 Mar 2017, 10:57

deleted

Cook.p.michael · Post by **Cook.p.michael** » 13 Mar 2017, 11:11

The timing belt was on and i timed it pretty precisely before cranking it, ill check the crank in a moment but what i know right now is that the camshafts have moved since i cranked it.

Cook.p.michael · Post by **Cook.p.michael** » 13 Mar 2017, 11:14

The camshafts moved an equal amount to each other btw, one is now facing up and the other at a 90 degree difference meaning they moved the same amount before the belt snapped if that is relevant

Cook.p.michael · Post by **Cook.p.michael** » 13 Mar 2017, 11:18

One more thing im curious about, wouldnt the metal of the valves being bent by the pistons be loud enough to hear? There was no sounds like that if it would have been audible.

Post by **rspi** » 13 Mar 2017, 12:08

I call it "high blood pressure, the silent killer." If you had a stethoscope on it I guess you'd hear it.

The last head I took apart that the guy failed to lube the cam journals on was destroyed. When he hit the starter the cams spun and wrapped some aluminum around them before locking up in the head. No telling how many times they turned before they did. Had to get a replacement head.

Post by **abscate** » 13 Mar 2017, 12:16

Next step would be to retime it, get the cams in the right place, and then do a compression test to see if the valves bent

Optimistically, since you are one of the great Forum members who asked if s/he should delete his thread, we are all pulling for you.

Does anyone have an old TB they can donate for test purposes?

Cook.p.michael · Post by **Cook.p.michael** » 13 Mar 2017, 12:25

You guys are so helpful. Im not worried about the cost of a TB, they are $20 for a few different brands in town, i just looked it up, buying one would be quickest and I just want to be done, ive been working on this in my spare time for, no joke, 3 months. Should I pull the upper cylinder head and lube the journals before I try again? I know it will take me some time to pull 40 bolts but I'd rather do it than risk more damage. Im going to go buy the TB now and ill see what you guys say next.

Post by **erikv11** » 13 Mar 2017, 13:02

Pop the belt off and see if you can move the cams by hand. If you can't, then Robert's post may be the reason. If you can't move the cams by hand with the belt off, I would next be pulling off the cam cover to see why. You are on the right track there. Also that way you can safely set the timing properly (pull cams, set crank set rest of timing, put it all back together with lube and anaerobic sealant).