How to tell if timing belt broke?

Asked by new2vwpassat Apr 16, 2012 at 02:54 PM about the 2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

The car will not start. It turns over / cranks but no start.
The question is how to tell if the belt broke, where to look what to check ?
Will the engine crank? Will there be noise in the engine if it damaged ?
2004 Passat, Gas 1,8 L front drive.
Thank you very much friends :)
  

2 Answers

385

if its turning over ..but sounds different to normal its broke take the belt cover off,, if the bottom is moving and the top is not moving its broke

3 people found this helpful.
Best Answer Mark helpful
3,545

You would notice right away from the second you turn that key to start it if the timing belt broke the engine would crank over very fast (alot faster then normal), there is not room in the 1.8's for a timing belt to break and not do valve damage, if your timing belt did break then you more than likely have a few bent valves, which will require the cylinder head to be removed and rebuilt as required depending on the damage you may also need a piston or two hopefully thats not the case. Like the answer above me mentioned pull the plastic timing cover off and check to see if the belt is broke and go from there...good luck.

5 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Deathjam4
    Reputation
    4,470
  • #2
    Chrisand Edwards
    Reputation
    2,650
  • #3
    tenspeed
    Reputation
    2,420
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Volkswagen Jetta
55 Great Deals out of 1,831 listings starting at $1,295
Used Honda Accord
40 Great Deals out of 908 listings starting at $2,799
Used Toyota Camry
49 Great Deals out of 940 listings starting at $2,212
Used Honda Civic
154 Great Deals out of 3,390 listings starting at $2,230
Used Volkswagen Jetta GLI
3 Great Deals out of 318 listings starting at $5,499
Used Volkswagen Golf
23 Great Deals out of 430 listings starting at $3,499
Used Audi A6
3 Great Deals out of 116 listings starting at $7,999
Used BMW 3 Series
69 Great Deals out of 1,205 listings starting at $1,995
Used Audi A4
32 Great Deals out of 722 listings starting at $1,500
Used Nissan Altima
21 Great Deals out of 682 listings starting at $2,000
Used Toyota Corolla
124 Great Deals out of 1,997 listings starting at $1,995

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.