2000 Focus Ghia 1.8TDdi - Focus 1.8TDdi eninge valves/piston clearance

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Fri 31 Dec 2010 19:26
2000 Focus Ghia 1.8TDdi - Focus 1.8TDdi eninge valves/piston clearance - BigJimmy32

I've a 2000 Focus Ghia 1.8 TDdi. Timing belt snapped at 60-70 mph, the camshaft snapped in a couple of places, Is there enough clearance on the pistons and valves that the valves may not be bent after the timing belt snapped. Can I get away with just replacing the camshaft?

Edited by BigJimmy32 on 31/12/2010 at 19:27

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Fri 31 Dec 2010 19:53
2000 Focus Ghia 1.8TDdi - Focus 1.8TDdi eninge valves/piston clearance - tdc

In a word,no.

Cyl head will be u/s and probable terminal damage to pistons and bores.When valves are thumped by pistons with force it spreads the alloy of the piston crown,you`ll see the marked pistons when head is removed,which you will have to do if you are considering persevering with this engine.One Ford diesel I did was an Escort van after the belt had snapped as the driver was pulling out of a junction,so low engine revs/road speed.Got away with replacing all four exhaust valves,all pistons were marked but no alloy pick-up on the bores.Yours I`m afraid will be a different story,the cam tells you that.Look further and you`ll probably find bust cam-follower housings too,as I did with a friend`s Mondeo after a 60mph belt snap.

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Fri 31 Dec 2010 20:10
2000 Focus Ghia 1.8TDdi - Focus 1.8TDdi eninge valves/piston clearance - BigJimmy32

Yeah a couple of the cam housings had broken and two valve seats were threw off the valves when I opened the rocker cover. I had somene say today that my particular engine there is enough clearance that the pistons wouldn't smash into the valves, although he did say he wasn't completely sure.

Thanks.

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Sat 1 Jan 2011 08:26
2000 Focus Ghia 1.8TDdi - Focus 1.8TDdi eninge valves/piston clearance - jc2

No modern diesel will be SAFE;to achieve the compression ratio needed,the combustion chamber is very small.

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Sat 1 Jan 2011 09:00
2000 Focus Ghia 1.8TDdi - Focus 1.8TDdi eninge valves/piston clearance - StanTheMan78

The easiest (and probably even cheapest) way out is to replace the whole engine mate! There are plenty of TDDi engines out there so you'll be spoilt for choice and cost variance.

That engine has been venerated for it's mix of performance and reliability, nothing like the subsequent TDCi which is rubbish in the reliability and consumption department, whilst not being much better in performance either.

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Sat 1 Jan 2011 12:14
2000 Focus Ghia 1.8TDdi - Focus 1.8TDdi eninge valves/piston clearance - BigJimmy32

No probs. Was pretty sure I'd have to replace the engine. Maintenance is always easier than repair, =/ A lesson to be learnt for me.

Thanks for the replies.

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