Skoda Octavia 2015 Diesel Engine CLHA Common Rail TDI 1.6L 140k miles.
1st attempt: Too high tension, belt slipped, crankshaft 45 degrees offset with camshaft, hard start and knocking noise for a couple of seconds.
2nd attempt: Tension OK but forgot to remove the tool arresting the crankshaft sprocket. After ignition the belt almost broke and the crankshaft turned only shortly before engine got blocked.
These attemps were only taken under ignition, so no driving at all. It's an interference engine. The question is what's the likelihood of damage? What kind of damage? How can I check it before I try a 3rd attempt? Is is worth a 3rd attempt at all?
Once the timing belt is sorted out use a borescope to check inside the cylinders, and/or perform compression or leakdown tests.
Can really the starter using only electromagnetic force bend valves and stuff? Can also a few bad combustions contribute to damage? I'm also surprised that a so sofisticated stupid plastic electronic car does not notice something is wrong to just stop the process.
Please just tow it to a mechanic instead of doing a 3rd DIY attempt.
Ask the mechanic to glance over the areas you’ve touched visually. If there’s no visual damage, install a timing belt and see how the engine runs.
If it doesn’t run / runs poorly - then you know you’ve most likely done damage. If it runs great - you might be in the clear.
I don't even have insurance to tow it. I guess my best chance is to do the 3rd attempt with focus, commitment, and hope it runs great, otherwise I'm up the creek anyways.
I also forgot to mention that not only the tool almost broke the belt, but also the plastic sealing plate. So the oil pan and the sealing have also to be fixed now, meaning crazy costs at the workshop in Norway. That's why I'm asking for likelihood of damage to evaluate economical risks, 30%, 50%, 80%?
Can really the starter using only electromagnetic force bend valves and stuff?
Yes, the starter turns the engine over at around 400 RPM and if the pistons hit valves and the crank keeps spinning something's going to bend.
Measure twice and cut once.
When I did my timing belt, I made sure to hand crank the engine multiple times, to make sure I got the timing right before I sealed it all up.
I’m not sure whether or not there was damage. You got nothing to lose, except your time and your sanity, by trying a third time.
Best case scenario, it works. Worst case scenario, you learned a valuable lesson. Even if things go wrong, there is still something to be learned.
I also hand cranked on 1st attempt but the instructions were unclear about what to do with the tensioner if it was wrong. On the second attempt I simply forgot the stupid tool on. It might be an expensive lesson to learn then at least 🙁
I'm also surprised that a so sofisticated stupid plastic electronic car does not notice
you're surprised a cheap plastic car doesn't have incorrect assembly detection?
Don't be.
Even the most expensive car assumes you put it together correctly.
Can really the starter using only electromagnetic force
you mean, the massive gear reduction which multiplies the force many times, plus the however many horsepower of from combustion? yes. Easily. Valve stems are not that strong.
