My surf trip to Lancelin was destroyed on Saturaday when the battery and sub-tank lights came on while cruising up the Mitchell Freeway.

RAC man diagnosed very quickly and order me a tow home. The bolt holding the crankshaft pulley had loosened and the belts were all sitting out of line, so no alternator, powered steering or water pump. So the car got a little warm in the 200m i drove to get it off the freeway. This cracked the overflow / expansion tank to relief some pressure.

The mechanic this morning said the crankshat pulley bolt should NEVER come loose, it is held firm by pins etc etc. The end result is that the crankshaft is probably mashed up. The options are some extensive work on reconditioning the crankshaft, or it may be cheaper / easier to replace the motor, which has done 350k and was working well and strong with no signs that something like this was coming...

Does anyone have any experience/knowledge of these issues and how much overhaul or a new motor might cost?