fordperv Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 yes that is what it means Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laser wheels Posted July 26, 2014 Author Share Posted July 26, 2014 I have now spent enough time this morning to learn the following: 1. Ignore everything a roadside recovery man confidently declares after 30 seconds of inspection.*2. As I originally thought there is indeed nowt wrong with the timing belt.3. I do not have the patience to be fannying about with old cars in the street. Or indeed new cars, for that matter.4. I think I may be cashing in the tax on this one soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laser wheels Posted July 26, 2014 Author Share Posted July 26, 2014 Oh, and the HBOL really is as much use as a chocolate gearbox. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laser wheels Posted July 26, 2014 Author Share Posted July 26, 2014 Seriously, though, I've had nigh on seven months of trouble free motoring for £500 so can't grumble too much and this is probably just His way of telling me to get more chod. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angrydicky Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 It's a great looking car, don't give up on it yet! Do you know what is wrong with it? I'm no Ford expert but I know these things are pretty simple. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trigger Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 What's wrong with it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordperv Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 You can pretty much fix a pinto sierra with spoons they are that simple, where abouts in the country are you, maybe someone knowledgeable could take a look at it saucedoctor and catsinthewelder 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cort16 Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 Exactly spill the beans Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laser wheels Posted July 26, 2014 Author Share Posted July 26, 2014 It basically sounds like it hasn't got petrol (but of course it has). Y'know, like it turns over, but just won't 'catch' if you know what I mean. What really worries me is if I do sell it on - working or not - is that I just don't want it to be engine raped then weighed in which is what really worries me. Skizzer 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cort16 Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 It'll be something straight forward these aren't complex. Did the recovery guy make any attempt to fix it? Things to test , has it got a spark is it getting fuel?If the belt had snapped it'd be turning over really fast. laser wheels 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cort16 Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 If your going to get shot of it don't do anything daft I'm sure some on here will have it. laser wheels 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laser wheels Posted July 26, 2014 Author Share Posted July 26, 2014 It'll be something straight forward these aren't complex. Did the recovery guy make any attempt to fix it? Things to test , has it got a spark is it getting fuel?If the belt had snapped it'd be turning over really fast. Nah, he just tried to start it then declared broken timing belt. Personally, though, I always thought you would know if a belt snapped as it would make some sort of noise. With me the car just lost power and coasted to a stop at the traffic lights! At least I'm taxed and tested so no one can complain (too much) but I do feel bad about basically taking up a double bay all to myself right now. Going to hit ebay anyway see what's out there for now just in case I do need a back up plan! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cort16 Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 You can see the belt pretty clearly under the cover at the front. Maybe worth paying a mobile mechanic to come out and do some basic diagnostics. Have a look on gumtree as a few seem to advertise on there. laser wheels 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laser wheels Posted July 26, 2014 Author Share Posted July 26, 2014 Now that's the thing. Just as you say, I can clearly see the belt still in place so my first thought was 'it's not broken'. But if it's a toothed belt I'm guessing it would still be held in place even if it was snapped? Anyway, I've booked it in at a local mechanics for Monday. They said they're busy but if I drop it off in the morning - thankfully Lancaster are happy to send some someone out in a truck, which is pretty nice of them - I can leave it with them and they'll have a look. If indeed it is not the timing belt they will just give me a ring to see what I want to do. Fingers crossed! This is why I really need a second car. Then I would be quite happy to take this one to bits and work on it in my own time but I really need it done ASAP for work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cort16 Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 It might still be in there but there'd be no tension on it plus the engine would crank super fast. laser wheels 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laser wheels Posted July 26, 2014 Author Share Posted July 26, 2014 Got it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greengartside Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 Indeed, it would sound similar to a sewing machine - I'm praying like MC Hammer that this Sierra still can live... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Bundy Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 Im going to say the coil is dead,have you done any checks? laser wheels 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angrydicky Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 Couple of basic checks: 1: Remove the fuel pipe from the carb and crank the engine over to check for fuel, you should get a healthy spurt. 2: Remove one of the spark plugs, then use molegrips to clamp it to a metal part of the engine, i.e. a cylinder head or thermostat housing stud, connect the lead back on, then crank the engine while an assistant watches the electrode on the plug for a spark. If all is working correctly then you should get a healthy spark there. Should help pinpoint where the problem is. laser wheels 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solid61 Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 Check the rotor arm isn't shorting to earth especially if you've put a new one on it,the ones on the shelves nowadays are crap compared to the genuine article and cause quite a few breakdowns.the cam belt can still be in position but the teeth can strip on the bottom pulley, take the dizzy cap off and crank the engine the rotor arm will not turn if its stripped. laser wheels 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisbon_road Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 Bear in mind also that if this is a 2.0 litre Pinto, the engine is not interference which means that the valves almost always are not damaged if the belt breaks. Any mechanic could therefore fit a new belt in a half an hour with a tea break. So (if I am right and it is a 2.0) worst case really isn't that bad. laser wheels and solid61 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Felly Magic Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 I thought the Pinto was an interference engine TBH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laser wheels Posted July 26, 2014 Author Share Posted July 26, 2014 Just had a guy knock on the door from the recovery co. who although not actually needed until Monday had a look at it anyway and reckons it's probably lost a few teeth on the belt. He also mentioned something about a Woodruff key. Basically the top crank isn't spinning when I tried to start the car. He did agree though that the Pinto is a piece of piss to work on - 'like working on a Hoover' is how he put it - and that if it's more than just a belt needed on Monday I should just have a crack at it myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laser wheels Posted July 26, 2014 Author Share Posted July 26, 2014 I thought the Pinto was an interference engine TBH Only on the smaller engines, apparently, such as the 1.6. The general consensus is that the 2.0 should be okay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laser wheels Posted July 26, 2014 Author Share Posted July 26, 2014 Check the rotor arm isn't shorting to earth especially if you've put a new one on it,the ones on the shelves nowadays are crap compared to the genuine article and cause quite a few breakdowns.the cam belt can still be in position but the teeth can strip on the bottom pulley, take the dizzy cap off and crank the engine the rotor arm will not turn if its stripped. Good tip on the rotor arm, thank you. The chap who has just been round did reckon that the teeth could be stripped/jumped. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordperv Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 I thought the Pinto was an interference engine TBHAs said the 2.0 is non interference and the 1.6 is hit and miss, i know this as i had a 1.6 sierra that the belt went, i put a new belt on and there was no bent valves, I've heard a few stories the same as well Laser wheels you need to take the metal cambelt cover off so you can see the pulleys and wind the crank pulley round to see if the belt moves with it, if it does make sure the timing marks line up laser wheels 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldford Posted July 27, 2014 Share Posted July 27, 2014 Don't give up on it, you should be able to get this fixed for not a lot. laser wheels 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brooklands Posted July 27, 2014 Share Posted July 27, 2014 Don't give up on the old girl! My dad had a Paris blue 1.6 ghia (4 speed manual! !!) on a A plate - by far my favourite car he owned as a kid! laser wheels 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laser wheels Posted July 28, 2014 Author Share Posted July 28, 2014 Dropped the car off at the garage first thing this morning. Just have to wait for the call now. I must say I have had excellent service from Lancaster. All I had to do was book the car in on Saturday then rang them this morning and had a flatbed turn up within fifteen minutes. I've never actually had breakdown cover before and after hearing so many horror stories about outfits like the AA I have been most pleasantly surprised by how painless it has all been. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Lord Sward Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 Would I have this this Sierra belting around Nissan/Washington? laser wheels 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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