Engine won't start - Saxo vtr

[Nikita]

Hi all, I'm looking for some advice please?

I don't know a huge amount about cars so please excuse if I have some terms wrong :oops:

I have a 2000 W reg vtr. It's been a great runner since I bought it 7 years ago with no engine problems at all. Unfortunately it failed its MOT mid December on cv boot, brakes and bearings so I had to wait until a few weeks ago to begin the repairs as that was when my OH became available to help me.

My Dad also started some work on it back in January which is when the problem with the engine was first noticed as the car wouldn't start. Initially we thought it was just the battery being dead after being stood for about three weeks so the battery got put on charge and optimized.

However, after my OH completed the work this week, we still cannot get the car to start. We have tried jump starting it but it's almost like the engine has seized!

There is plenty of power to the car, the solenoid on the starter motor operates so we don't think the starter motor has failed, it sounds like it turns but then 'thud' no engine turn over.

If the engine has seized does anyone know any inexpensive ways I could resolve this as I cannot afford help from a garage nor a new car.

Does anyone have any other thoughts as to the fault?

Thanks in advance

[jbrady72]

Sounds as if the cambelt has snapped perhaps...when my mates Clio cambelt snapped and we tried to start it (without realising it was cambelt) it tried to start but then made a bang and died and it did that everytime.
Could be that?

[Gandi699]

try turning it by hand, 22mm socket on the crank pulley and turn it forwards. If it locks up you've got a mechanical problem. I'd check the cambelt tensioner hasnt slipped, have had that happen to me and the valves then hit the pistons stopping it turning

[Nikita]

Would the cam belt really have gone just through the car sitting for a few weeks though? It had a new one fitted about 30k ago.

Through pushing it today it now make more of a noise like it's making more of an effort so we're trying to remove some compression at the plugs (if that makes sense, again I don't know the ins and outs just roughly what my OH is doing)

[Manu]

oh dear. Have you serviced the cambelt during your 7 years of ownership.

[Nikita]

When you say service the cam belt what exactly does that entail? It was replaced roughly 30k ago. Normally the cam belt gets changed at 60k but I don't rag my car around so managed to make it last until 90k.

The car is normally a brilliant runner and had no issues at all until it sat for a few weeks post MOT failure

[Manu]

Sorry, honest question as you didn't mention. It's 60k or 5 years. Mind you it may not be the belt itself, as above the tensioner could be the issue. All I can say for now is take the cover off and have a look for yourself. Check if everything is in place as it should.

Anything else I can think about is complete misfiring, have you checked your air filter, plugs and coilpack, since the car sat there for so long.

[Nikita]

Not checked those as they were all replaced at last service a year ago so never really gave them much thought.