Xantia 1.8 16v petrol timing belt failed!

[zanteea]

Xantia came to an abrupt halt this morning - a jolt rather than a dramatic bang. Now won't start. Engine spun suspiciously freely on starter and although I haven't been able to look at the belt yet I reckon it's broken. Question is, how likely will it be that I've got bent valves or worse? Is there any sure fire way of assessing likely damage without removing the head? Would it be sensible to check engine turns over freely then fit a new belt and attempt to start it or should I really make sure there is no damage before fitting a new belt?

It's a 1996 Xantia with roughly 120,000 on the clock and on its last legs so not worth spending serious money on but assuming there is valve damage would a scrappy replacement head make any sense or just open up a fresh can of worms?

[wheeler]

99.9% there will be valve damage, I have done loads of these & the minimum damage I have ever seen is 8 valves, also had to do the occasional valve guide. There was a massive problem years ago with this engine breaking timing belts prematurely & Citroen even recalled them to fit a new tensioner set up.

[zanteea]

Oh dear! Assuming 8 valves at best what is the likely repair cost? Any sense in swapping complete head for a scrappy one?

[wheeler]

Oh dear! Assuming 8 valves at best what is the likely repair cost? Any sense in swapping complete head for a scrappy one?

Scrappies are normally reluctant to sell cylinder heads, if they split the engine its unlikely the will sell the bottom end. They usually only sell the complete engine.
Its not that much extra work to do the valves once the head is off & also would you risk putting the head on without having it pressure tested if you don't know its history.

[BenC5HDi]

I'd expect them to be desperate to sell any bit of a 1.8 Xantia engine, or car these days



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[spider]

I know its too late but was there not a recall on these "back then" (the XU8 / XU10 J4 units) for the belts ?

There was if memory serves one for the 406's where this unit was fitted. I forget the specifics. Although I think the belt was a fraction too tight so when the engine got a bit too hot it would lead to breakage.

[zanteea]

Our Xantia definitely had the recall - sticker still attached to the cambelt cover from 2001 by main dealer to that effect! Unfortunately that was at 31,000 miles and it's now done 120,000 without another change (I know!) We've managed to tow it to a local indy who is Peugeot trained so knows the engine and we're awaiting the bad news early next week. New valves would be preferable to a scrappy head (assuming we could get one) but does anyone know the rough price of a valve these days? Knowing Citroen they could be silly money I suppose.

[spider]

I knew I'd remembered it.

Erm, looking around they seem to be about £12 each. Something tells me genuine ones are about 2 or 3 times that.

A good used head might be one cheaper way forward. Bear in mind you can use the 406 head (just match the engine code) as far as I'm aware they are identical.

[RichardW]

Erm, looking around they seem to be about £12 each. Something tells me genuine ones are about 2 or 3 times that.

Spot on.....

Intake £33.36
Exhaust £39.10

[zanteea]

Cheers Andy - £12 a throw would probably be reasonable even if it's bent a fair number. Thanks too for the info on the 406 - I wasn't sure which Pugs used that engine. That would give more scope for a second hand head.

[zanteea]

Erm, looking around they seem to be about £12 each. Something tells me genuine ones are about 2 or 3 times that.

Spot on.....

Intake £33.36
Exhaust £39.10

Ouch! We know where not to go then Richard! Thanks.

[spider]

Later (as in MK3, think 2000 onwards) will also sometimes use the 1.8 unit (Meridian 1.8 and 1.8XS) but they are not too common. There are a lot of 1.8 406's around and they all have the 16v unit, so assuming the code is the same (there are at least two codes from what I can remember) should be good to go.

[spider]

LFY appears to be the most common one, aka XU7J4 , 1.8 16v lump.

LFX (seems) to be the 8v unit (not generally fitted to a UK 406) if that helps. Should 'translate' OK to Xantia models...