need help engine jumped timing??

[travisl1345]

i was going to get my oil changed cuz i didn't feel like doing it myself today, and when the guy went to start my truck it didn't start and he said it sounds like it jumped its timing... so i was wondering if i should try and fix it or to just save alot of headaches buy a new engine for it and advice would be greatly appreciated

 

[shadetree]

First of all, make sure the truck is out of time, it could be something else. 2nd if it is out of time, there is no need to replace the engine.

Jumping timing means the belt that drives the camshaft by the crankshaft has jumped cogs on the belt. Belt replacement is all that is needed. If you don't know how, it shouldn't cost that much to get it repaired, certainly not as much as a new engine. shady

 

[travisl1345]

well i was just thinkin if the cam did jump a cog and bent a valve, then the repair for that would probably be quite a bit but i should be able to fix the timing, and im fairly postive it is the cam timing everything else is good. and i was thinking that if i replaced the engine there would be far less headaches and i would have a better idea of the mileage of the engine being the fourth owner of the truck its hard to trace it back thanks for the help shady

 

[ejholmgren]

Your '87 2.3L is a non-interference engine, ie. no bent valves.

Edit: Figure out what happened with the timing ... jumped a tooth or two, snapped the timing belt, etc. At the very worst, you'll need a new belt and tensioner.

 

[travisl1345]

thanks man thats good to know if you can't tell im pretty new to the whole overhead cam thing haha

 

[Mark_88]

Did you happen to drive it to the oil change place or was it towed?

These trucks don't just jump teeth like that so I would suspect that the guy changing the oil either didn't know how to start your truck or they may be trying to get more out of an oil change than just an oil change...

The belt may have snapped...that happened to many people on this website (myself included)...but jumping teeth???

If you know the guy (as in trust them) then forget the above...did you get the truck started or is it still in their shop???

 

[shadetree]

These trucks don't just jump teeth like that so I would suspect that the guy changing the oil either didn't know how to start your truck or they may be trying to get more out of an oil change than just an oil change...

The belt may have snapped...that happened to many people on this website (myself included)...but jumping teeth???

If you know the guy (as in trust them) then forget the above...did you get the truck started or is it still in their shop???

Actually, the belt jumping teeth is a fairly common problem especially with an engine with higher mileage. shady

 

[Will]

I've seen the crank gear chew off all the teeth and the belt not be on. That can destroy valves of course.

I've also seen the belt tear to shreds.

I haven't seen one "jump timing". The tensioner keeps them tight. They don't jump teeth. Teeth can break off or the belt can snap, as I said. When the tensioner fails it's usually the bearing and it squeals like a bad bearing.

When you buy a new belt, it's the one part I pay over-the-counter prices for. Get one that says Ford on the bag. I had a Geo Prizm for 5 timing belt changes. I put a cheap belt on the second time I did it and the belt shredded. The the third belt said Toyota on it and when I changed that one 60,000 down the road I mixed the belts up and had a hell of a time telling the new from the old. The 4th belt was premature because the tensioner failed and was squealing. The fifth was after we gave the car to my brother.

My wife's grandparents had the same car but with a fastback roof and an auto. I did their belt once when I lived in California. I guess with 6 Geo prizm belts under my belt I should have something cool to tell Saint Peter while he lines me arse up for a kick down the laundry chute.

I will say, in closing, that by the thrid belt I was not following the directions at all and that over time I had discovered that you actually don't have to disassemble the entire damn car down to the radio knobs as the manual states. The point is, ask people who have done it for the shortcuts if you do it yourself.

 

[Mark_88]

Actually, the belt jumping teeth is a fairly common problem especially with an engine with higher mileage. shady

Well, I won't say that I haven't heard of it, but it's rare...if the belt gets warn that can happen easier...not sure if all the older ones had the square teeth, but mine does and that belt (usually) won't jump unless the tensioner slacks off...or the belt is worn...

Will:

Are you sure you're going down the chute? There is always time for redemption...maybe you could be the next Saint...Saint Will...guarder of belts...LOL!

 

[MAKG]

I will say, in closing, that by the thrid belt I was not following the directions at all and that over time I had discovered that you actually don't have to disassemble the entire damn car down to the radio knobs as the manual states. The point is, ask people who have done it for the shortcuts if you do it yourself.

I might be interested in your shortcuts. I'm almost due for Timing Belt #5 on my Prizm (70K mile intervals, it's at 275K). In the past, I've unbolted 3 of 4 engine mounts to jack up the engine, removed all the drivebelts, unbolted the A/C compressor and its bracket, removed the cam cover, and removed the crank pulley and all three timing belt covers for access. This isn't that different from what the service manual says to do. But if you can save me some time, that's always appreciated....

PM me; I doubt anyone else is interested in how to change a timing belt on a Prizm.

I habitually change a "timing kit" (includes the tensioner) instead of just the belt. And Toyota dealer prices for scheduled maintenance items like this aren't nearly as unreasonable as one might think. Though sometimes you have to lie to them and say it's a Corolla.

 

[Simple_serf]

I've seen the crank gear chew off all the teeth and the belt not be on. That can destroy valves of course.

how?...It's a non interference engine.

I'm due for a belt again on my ranger at around 200K...The limas are one of the easiest engines to change the belt on. I think my first time on one of these took me 2 hrs from start to finish.