Discovery 3 engine failure

[doug.jones]

Our Disco 3 is 16 years old but has done only 300,000 km. Serviced regularly and had been running nicely until last Friday when the engine made a "funny noise" (wife driving) and stopped. The main drive belt is intact and the starter motor turns it over but there is no compression. Does anyone know what might have gone wrong? My mechanic is so busy with booked-in work that he has no time to look at it thoroughly.

[Tins]

Do I need to ask which engine it has?

[PerthDisco]

By main drive belt do you mean the visible accessory belt that goes around the alternator and fan? Behind this is the timing belt which may not be intact which is really really bad.

Assuming it’s diesel do you have a full service history as the timing belt would have been replaced twice now at 16 years. At which time was the oil pump ever changed?

It could be the fuel pump belt has failed in which case zero engine damage will be caused and you just replace the belt.

[loanrangie]

Serp belt intact means nothing except the fault lies deeper in, if its turning over but no compression it could be a timing chain and or tensioner has gone or timing belt tensioner.
My money would be the tensioner if the oil pump hasnt been replaced previously - ask me how i know :mad:.