Thanks Boxa. I'm a bit knackered, and depleted, but I might give that a go tomorrow.

Are you 💯 that you have checked timing correctly

Camshaft locked in with pin, and crank hole a fare way off. I haven't altered it to the correct position yet, as I will need to undo the tensioner, slip the belt, rotate the crank, fit the pin, and then fit the belt. Confident of doing that, no problem. Thanks again for the support.

that's good it won't take long to reset it remember to turn it over by hand twice and then check again

Will do.

So I thought I would set the timing up today, as we know it is out. I rotated the crank, and finally got the pin in that. Undid the timing belt tensioner and slipped the belt off. Now the problem.... when I try to rotate the camshaft it moves in both directions but I can't get it around to the pin. Could the valves on one of the cylinders be hitting the pistons ? Is it a case of taking the pin out of the crank and moving the crank in order to get passed the piston. If I'm going to have to do that it will be a right pain, has it took ages to get the pin in the crank.

You need to move the crank as it’s at TDC so will touch valves as you move camshaft just a little will allow you to set cam then move it back

Cheers Boxa. Both in the right place, and pins in crankshaft and camshaft. Belt just refitted, and the tensioner done up with the tension marker in the right place. Time for a quick sarnie, then back at it.

Blinking raining now. I need to give it a couple of turns manually. However, the damage has probably now been done. The intension is now to put the crankshaft pulley back on, after putting on the lower cover. Remove the pins in the crank, and the camshaft. put the top cover back on. re-fit the plastic cowl by the starter and re-fit that. I'll put the plastic pipework back on and then connect the battery. After that I will give it a turn over, and scan for codes. My thought is, and its only a guess..... The B12CA-15 code shut down the car. I messed up the timing while trying to get the stray bits of aux belt out from around the crank cog, and damaged the engine. I will keep you posted.

You’ll never know just concentrate on getting it running we’ve all made mistakes but it’s nothing that can’t be fixed

Cheers. I have found a rebuilt cylinder head, all built up with valves, rockers etc, for £500. I know I would have to get a gasket, but overall, thats not too bad.
Rain now lighter, so going to get back on it.

You don’t know that you’ll need it yet I expect worse case to be bent valves and broken rockers and that won’t cost anywhere near £500

Rain has stopped play again. Must put a gazebo on my Christmas list.. gave the engine a couple of turns by hand. I did get a couple of points of resistance (compression perhaps) but not funny sounding noises.
I have the starter left to fit, with the three dreaded bolts.. (I know, lets make a car that you have to take the starter off to set the timing. Lets make the three bolts a total pain to get to by putting the wire harness in the blinking way) At least the connections to the starter are easy enough.
I wonder if Nodge had piston damage when he did his new top end. To be honest, as it has just had 4 new tyres, a new rear diff, and a haldex service, if a thought a new cylinder head would sort it I'd be tempted.
Keep you posted when I get the starter on.

I had piston damage, but because there was an EGR flange nut in the cylinder. I have to replace that piston because it was smashed to pieces.
I replaced the cylinder head, as the original one was damaged beyond permanent repair, although I did bodge it working again, until a decent replacement head became available.

If it's just a timing slip, then normally the pistons show little or no damage, but the valves and rockers take a hammering. Both are easily replaced though, although the head needs to come off to replace the valves. Hyundai Ioniq 5 Ultimate. The family car.
2009 Rimini Red SE TD4. Gone.
2006 Tonga Green i6 HSE. Gone.
Audi A5 convertible, my daily driver.
1972 Hillman Avenger GT, the project.

When my cambelt failed it just broke 8 rockers no valve damage at all and pistons were perfect although I did remove head and check everything bores were perfect and still had honing marks I replaced valve seals and reground all 16 valves and did a decoke but rockers alone would have fixed it