Hello,

A little while ago while driving along in my Bravo HGT I heard a slight 'crumbling' noise followed by the engine cutting out. After this, the engine refused to restart. On getting the car back home it was quite easy to see the origin of the problem.

The metal tensioner pulley of the first auxiliary belt (connected between crank shaft and what looks like some hydraulics for steering and/or brakes?) had failed, and had seized up twisted at an angle. The belt itself had slipped off this pulley and was jammed against it and the engine block.

I cut the belt off and that freed the engine, and I was about to go out and get the replacement parts when I thought I should probably check that everything else was okay.

Here is my question: is there any reason why the engine shouldn't start with this belt removed? Because it doesn't. All I get is a dry sound as the engine is turned over, as if there was no fuel/spark. Does the alternator need to be working to simply start the engine? Or is there some other reason?

(Everything else appears to be okay, fuses, etc., and the timing belt seems undamaged.)

Cheers,
Matt.

I'm no Bravo expert, but I'd have a look to see if the belt has damaged anything else, like any sensors or wiring in the area.

Pete.
Cinq sporting 1242cc
Cinqs&Seis Yahoo group
Clubcento

I think you are dealing with one of the more sensitive parts of the Bravo as the consensus for changing the belts and tensioners is lots less than the FIAT recommendation of 72K miles. I know the timing belt has not gone, but the twisted belt pulley might damage the engine further if you try to start it. Also the ECU might have sensed the there is no power to the Brakes/steering/Aircon and not let you start it.
Otherwise I have no idea.
Marko

blink and you'll miss it

Some parts of the belt could have got into the cambeltcover and the cambelt could have jumped one or two teeth.
Geert