I love my beutiful townace she`s a super extra 2.0td auto.h reg. I treat her to fully synth oil all the forte engine and box treatments also greased lightning ptfe.She drives really well compared to sluggish 4x4 models in fact she goes like stink.Generally I try to look after her whenever I get chance and so the time came to change the cam belt.Normal dismantling wasn`t a problem until I came to the crank pully bolt.IT WAS TIGHT various gripping tools were used to hold the pulley in place until eventually the bolt cooperated.The bolt proceded outward until changing it`s mind half way,it then siezed halfway stuck solid.The thread mushed the bolt imovable late at night,my birds only transport.How do you convince a girl you were looking after the engine when you`ve just managed to scrap the crank thus the engine.Removal and repair seemed time consuming and expensive.So in temper I revved the engine till a con rod exited the passenger window.Sorry only joking I love her to much.Sourced a second hand engine 450+vat+del midlands somwhere can`t remember name.Out with the old in with the new.A bit difficult but happy now,2 months later vac pump died 90incvatdel bill bbc thanks.She`s driving nice again now but who knows whats next.ps has anyone else got gold mirror tints on all the glass.

- (#11434) stuart birchgrovemotcentre, 1 Nov 03 14:18

Don,t feel too bad. it could have happened to anyone Stuart - probably the last person who changed the belt overtightened the bolt, and did not fit a new bolt as we always advise here - costs a few quid more but its worth it (along with a new key too)
If you had taken it to a garage they would have had exactly the same result as you
jim

- (#11435) j adgo, 2 Nov 03 11:18

If it were me I would have had it spark eroded, I'm buggered if I would have bought a whole new engine for that, but I must say if it were my major transport maybe I might have considered it but I would have had the spare unit repaired.
Can i ask, are you saying that someone had overtightened the bolt thereby stretching it beyond it's elastic limit?

Hot coffee is hot!!

- (#11437) Simon, 2 Nov 03 12:10

Stuart,
I had a similar event a year ago, in so far as the bolt broke. I made a bushing to centralise on the end of the crank and with progressive drill sizes drilled out the old bolt. I then retapped it and replaced the pulley and bolt. All this was done in situ.
So look on the bright side - you now have a spare engine !

- (#6440) stephen judge, 4 Feb 04 16:48