Out in the Octavia (1.8i, 20v) this PM. Doing 80-90 on the motorway (that'll be indicated speed, not actual. Officer). Pulled off after 15 miles, heard a slight squealing noise, and sudden loss of power for a second. Strange. A mile long straight followed, no problem, then turned off to
30mph roads with humps. Every time I slowed down, there was a squealing sound. Pulled over, engine idling, nothing looked out of place, but there was a rattling/slight squeal from the upper cam cover area. I put it down to a slipping ancillary belt, or failing air-con drive, so turned off the air con. Go to pull off, then the engine dies after 20 feet or so. Just enough momentum to get to the verge. Strange. Try to start it, sounds a bit funny. OK, have a look again. Shite - cambelt showing through the cover. Further poking shows that the belt may still be in one piece, so it looks like an idler or tensioner has failed, allowing the belt to come off the gears.So - how many valves are bent? My first guess is at least 10. The recovery man said all 20. Any other guesses?
(oh, and has anyone got a 1.8 20v Skoda head for sale?) Alan