Vauxhall combo van 215 - Advice needed. Cam chain nightmare.

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Sun 21 Aug 2022 09:52
Vauxhall combo van 215 - Advice needed. Cam chain nightmare. - RichardM123

Three weeks ago engine started 'rattling'. Took to my local garage. Roadside guess it was the timing chain. It was. Well, the guides.

All was replaced. Guides, chains, oil, filters. £1300. Yep. £1300.

Picked up van and drive home. 3 miles. Left it for weekend.

Monday morning first job 10 miles away. Got there. Everything fine. Returning home engine started ticking again. Stopped at shops. Van wouldn't start. Eventually it started but lacked power. Called garage first thing following day. Bring it in they said. Second roadside guess was the timing was out. Left it with them to check their work.

Phone call next morning. All their work was fine. But bearing had worn ( not sure which ones) and engine was a write off. New one 4k.

Obviously I'm abit confused.

What questions should I ask. Can driving it with timing out cause such damage the engine is wrecked. Any advice is gratefully received.

RM

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Sun 21 Aug 2022 12:59
Vauxhall combo van 215 - Advice needed. Cam chain nightmare. - elekie&a/c doctor
Difficult to give an accurate diagnosis without inspection of the engine , but it’s possible that debris from the plastic chain guides has blocked the oil pump pick up strainer which has starved the engine of adequate oil supply. This will in turn wreck any bearing material. I’m guessing this is the Fiat multi jet engine.
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Sun 21 Aug 2022 13:23
Vauxhall combo van 215 - Advice needed. Cam chain nightmare. - RichardM123

Yes, I believe it's a fiat engine.

When I returned after 'terminal' diagnosis they had a set of guides ready to show me. They were thin sheet steel. No idea if they were original from engine.

So your saying a piece of debris could of been missed.

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Sun 21 Aug 2022 14:32
Vauxhall combo van 215 - Advice needed. Cam chain nightmare. - elekie&a/c doctor
Anything is possible. You’ll need to get an independent engineer to investigate if you need to go further.
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