T4 Woe

**rory** · 13-10-2013, 10:36 AM

My wife was driving her T4 diesel manual 2.5 (2002) on the highway yesterday morning thinking how well the old bus was going and soo quiet as it loped along. Suddenly a loud screeching noise caused her to immediately pull over into a driveway some 100 meters on and within 30 seconds she's rolled to a halt with the engine stopping when she put the clutch pedal in.
Inspection showed a long trail of water back to the highway and water gushing out where she stopped.
I was called to provide my car and was left there to sort out a tow with the local friendly RACQ. An hour later when the engine had been cooled down I attempted a start to position the Transporter for access by the flat top tow truck, thinking my problem was probably just a loss of water.
Nah ! Turned over OK but no sign of a start and a worrying metalic clunk type noise.
Its now waiting at a local workshop for a look on Monday and me pondering as to what has happened.
Turbo blown up? Does this usually involve the water pump? or radiator damaged by turbo disintegrating? Or maybe something more sinister like a thrown con rod? Maybe slipped timing belt? We've had the vehicle 12 months and done about 5,000 ks. Total ks about 270,000.
Anyone else had a similar experience?

**Sunny43.5** · 13-10-2013, 01:19 PM

Sorry to hear of the problem , loud screeching sounds like some sort of belt I am no mechanic . Not sure if your model diesel has a timing belt or like the first T5 's 2.5 diesel they have gear driven cam . Maybe the water pump failed and the screech could have been the belt then trying to go around a seized pulley only a guess I am afraid . I hope its not a timing belt as I believe when they go there is an unfriendly meeting of valves and pistons not good , but I do hope that you get a favourable answer soon .

**jets** · 14-10-2013, 03:57 PM

Originally Posted by Sunny43.5

Not sure if your model diesel has a timing belt Maybe the water pump failed and the screech could have been the belt then trying to go around a seized pulley only a guess I am afraid . I hope its not a timing belt as I believe when they go there is an unfriendly meeting of valves and pistons not good , but I do hope that you get a favourable answer soon .

Yes your model will have a timing belt. If the seal on the waterpump leaks it can rust the bearings & eventually seize. The cam belt on this motor also drives the water pump & can break bringing the whole house down. This is why it is recommended to change the waterpump every second belt change or before if there are any sign of coolant leakage or roughness in the pump shaft.
If our guess is correct then as well as bent valves there will probably be a broken camshaft & damaged hyd. lifters. While expensive it won't be the end of the world & generally only the head will need to be removed.

**rory** · 15-10-2013, 07:34 PM

Ouch. Kinda guessed something liket that will be the findings. My nearest VW dealer/workshop has it and I await a call from them with the verdict. Appreciate the feed back and will pass on what happens .

**rory** · 21-10-2013, 05:05 PM

it appears the water pump "seized", then a piece came out of it releasing the water, and stripped teeth off the timing belt, causing valves to
contact pistons and bend, noticeably on the end cylinder; probably why the camshaft didn't break as the force on it was concentrated near the end journal.
Having the head rebuilt and the sump will be dropped for an inspection of the con rod and piston
on the end of the engine at least.
The stamp on the water pump says "2003".
Moral of the story? Change that water pump periodically; every second timing belt change (as reconmmended by jets).