The priorities are safety, preventing extra engine rotation and preserving evidence of what failed.
Immediate steps
- Stop in a safe place and switch the engine off.
- Do not repeatedly crank or bump-start the vehicle.
- Do not drive it to a garage, even if it restarts.
- Arrange suitable recovery.
- Record the warning lights, noise, speed and distance driven.
- Ask the workshop to photograph the belt, sump, pickup, filter and any internal damage.
Why restarts matter
If camshaft timing has moved, further cranking can increase valve and piston contact. If oil pressure is restricted, restarting can add bearing and turbo damage.
Questions for the first inspection
- Has timing been lost?
- Is the oil-pump drive intact?
- Is belt debris present in the sump or pickup?
- Is real oil pressure available?
- Does the engine turn freely by hand?
- Is compression damage suspected?