Advice needed please, big problem!

[yerdusk]

Right. I dont know where to start! Was on the way back home on friday when the car all of a sudden started making a kind of grinding noise, was only going around 5 mph, the gear stick starting vibrating and then the (!) light came on. So i pulled away from the junction to stop somewhere safe and heard what i can only describe as the grinding noise gettin louder and worse, and then a kinda of bang from under the bonnet. The car is a black top vtr and has done just over 80k WITHOUT a cambelt change. I am thinking its the cam belt, but would i still of got drive if it had of gone? There was also a burning smell from under the bonnet, kind of a clutch smell.

So anyways i stopped immediatly after the bang and turned engine off. I had to be towed home as engine will not start now. When i turn key in ignition, all the dash lights come on, and when i turn key to start car it just clicks and thats it.

Ideas? Its my only car at the moment, and need to get it fixed asap as cheap as possible! I just really need to know what the problem is. Anybody?

Thanks and rep for the helpful answers as always!

[turbo_dave]

Doesn't sound healthy :O

So it doesn't turn over? At all? Was there any loss of power right beforehand? Might wanna whip the plugs out and try turning the engine over (put the car in gear and rock it) to see if the engine has seized :(

[s8x0-vtr]

Doesn't sound healthy :O

So it doesn't turn over? At all? Was there any loss of power right beforehand? Might wanna whip the plugs out and try turning the engine over (put the car in gear and rock it) to see if the engine has seized :(

seems this could be a possible answer as dave says good luck with it anyways

[medz_vtrturbo]

could be ur head gasket m8. u wouldnt have any drive if the belt had gone. but the engine wuldnt have seized. only standing engines seize.

[turbo_dave]

but the engine wuldnt have seized. only standing engines seize.

Not true. You've just never done it ;)

[Ryan]

could be ur head gasket m8. u wouldnt have any drive if the belt had gone. but the engine wuldnt have seized. only standing engines seize.

has has been said you can have a seized engine from a running engine, it doesnt need to have been standing still.

[Ryan21]

I would have said transmission myself, had this on my VTR before i sold it.

If the belt had gone itwould try and turn over, just wouldn't start..

As said, Check plugs but i'm swaying more towards a transmission fault from what you said in your original post

[yerdusk]

ok thanks for advice guys but problem has been found. Was the starter motor. the grinding noise was it shredding inside lol!

Only problem now is after the engine starts up it screeches a little for a second or two. Could this be the starter running over a bit? Is it a major issue?

[vtr130]

Mite be a lose fan belt!! Nothing major

[Ryan21]

Like VTR 130 has said, it will be the fan belt, piece of piss to change and about a tenner from halfords, its worth chaging!

[-Jason-]

The noise is coming from near the starter though not the other side by the fan belt.

[yerdusk]

i have sussed it. it is the starter, its not returning correctly. It just needs a little bit of grease