x18xe Cam Belt Failure

[rab10000]

on the above engine how terminal would cam belt failure mean, was asking my friend ( mechanic ) to gimme a hand change the belts if i get stuck and he said not too rush as hes pretty sure they are a safe engine and if belt snaps no long term damage wil be done and would be a case of just putting a new belt on but im not so sure

[BigDave1979]

Never seen or heard of any Vauxhall 16v engine survive a cam belt failure without any damage. You'd very likely be looking at multiple bent valves in the event of a failure.

[rab10000]

kewl thanks for the reply guess all be changing it soon as regardless

[Davey j]

You'll find some 8v engines that are "safe" due to piston design. Not seen it on 16v range though.

[Paul]

Not on a Vauxhall anyway.

[rab10000]

cheers for reply def be changing that belt soon

[lee303]

if its a small block x 18 xe1 you’re talking about they have literally no room! belt snap will result in 16 bent valves for sure

[purplex]

did 15 valves on mine when happened....1 got away with it!!!

[lee303]

how thats even possible considering the valve and piston layout i don’t know, but well done

[rab10000]

i have no idea i think he may have been confusing them with the old 2.0 8v engines i think lol is bent valves the norm or just the least u would expect to get away with?

[lee303]

on an 8 valve, i.e a big block i think there is room, deffo not on the small block twin cams

[rab10000]

thought the x18xe was a big block or have i been told more bulls**t lol

[lee303]

x 18 xe is a big block, but they didn’t make many, more common is the c18xe, the x 18 xe1 and z18 xe and small block, pretty sure theres no room on the big block either though!

[rab10000]

nb nb so is valves the least to expect from a cambelt failure then??

[lee303]

yes, possibly guides too, they may look ok but check them very carefully for cracks, as that tends to spoil your day if a bit of guide falls into your newly rebuilt engine a few miles later