Camry broke down

[Northwoods]

Good on you for giving it a go.  We're here for you, let us know how it goes.

I got all the parts, and tools, for about half what a shop would charge.  And within that spend I'm also going to replace plugs/wires and coolant, which would be an upcharge at a shop.  And I'll probably have the car running again within a day or two of when the shop would have finished anyway.  Assuming I don't *expletive deleted*ck it up.

[230RN]

Ignition or fuel pump most likely. If you pull a spark plug out to check for spark also see if you blow gas out the plug hole.

Squirt some starter fluid in the manifold or one of the vacuum hoses going to the manifold and try starting it.  If it runs for a few seconds and then dies, it's probably a fuel pump or some kind of clog.

Check the spark first, though, using standard testing techniques.  You don't want to throw an open spark with starting fluid (or gasoline) vapors running around loose.

Terry

[lupinus]

Squirt some starter fluid in the manifold or one of the vacuum hoses going to the manifold and try starting it.  If it runs for a few seconds and then dies, it's probably a fuel pump or some kind of clog.

Check the spark first, though, using standard testing techniques.  You don't want to throw an open spark with starting fluid (or gasoline) vapors running around loose.

Terry

Might have to wait until he has the new timing belt in and everything put back together 

[Northwoods]

Might have to wait until he has the new timing belt in and everything put back together 

Minor technical details.

[230RN]

Timing belt is broken.

Now to figure out tools and such to fix it.  At least it's a non-interference engine.

Oh, didn't realize he had got that far when I posted.  Don't know how I missed that. Thought it was still on the side of the road, sorta still warm.   

Terry

[K Frame]

I thought all Toyota engines of that vintage were interferance.

You got lucky.

[mtnbkr]

IIRC, Toyota uses belts on non-interference engines and chains on interference engines.  My 2003 Camry 4cyl was interference, but had a chain.  My 1997 4Runner is non-interference and has a belt.  My 1993 Paseo was non-interference and had a belt.

While confirming the last one, I found this link, which may be of interest:
http://www.aa1car.com/library/timing_belts_interference_engines.htm

Chris

[TommyGunn]

Slight topic veer:

What is an "interference engine"  versus a ""non interference" engine? 
Never heard of this distinction before.

[mtnbkr]

Interference means there is no clearance between the pistons and valves should they get out of sync (ie timing belt breaks).  Non-interference means there's space and no damage would be done.

Chris

[Brad Johnson]

Interference is what will happen to your bank account if the timing goes wonky.

Brad

[Hutch]

I know from sad personal experience that losing the timing belt on an original VW nonTDI diesel is a catastrophic engine room casualty.

[Phyphor]

To simplify it, if a timing belt breaks on an interference engine, the valves and pistons will collide, rather than move like they're supposed to.  Bye bye engine (I suppose you could rebuild it, but that's a financial decision.... it may be cheaper to just get another motor or even another car, depending on the value of the existing car.  )

Non interference doesn't have this problem.

[TommyGunn]

Interference means there is no clearance between the pistons and valves should they get out of sync (ie timing belt breaks).  Non-interference means there's space and no damage would be done.

Chris

  Thanks.

[Northwoods]

Got as far as getting the new water pump in, also put in a new t-stat since that needing replaced anyway. Still need to replace crank and cam seals. Then I can re-time the engine, install the new belt, and put everything back together. Getting there, slowly.

[BobR]

Slowly and right is always better than fast and wrong.


bob

[Phyphor]

...And far cheaper, in both the short & long runs.

[Northwoods]

The 7th Angel poured forth his bowl, and a voice cried out from heaven saying "It Is Done!"

The timing belt job is done. Test drive is complete and everything is working!!! Enjoying a nice frosty mug of Ninkasi Brewing Sleigher.

[Tuco]

And for a short time, all is right in the world.

Excellent work!!!

[KD5NRH]

IIRC, Toyota uses belts on non-interference engines and chains on interference engines.

Timing chains rock.  Should be mandatory on all engines.  (OK, I'll make an exception for the gear-train-timed ones.)  No slipping, and they rarely break unless you screw up and let it run out of oil or something.  The belt breaking is such an out-of-the-blue, complete shutdown, major undertaking, can't-fix-it-where-it-dies (well, I guess you can, but unless you drive the Snap-On truck, you probably don't carry the stuff you'll need) issue that every reasonable measure to prevent it should be taken at the design stage, and using a chain is a very reasonable measure in my book.

The Saturn's now at 282k miles.  Probably time for head and valve cover gaskets soon.  Definitely time for an oil pan gasket.  Plan is to do those, the motor mounts and the timing chain at the same time just because I'll have to have the timing cover off anyway.

[Northwoods]

Car seems to running really well.  Got a squeal from the power steering when hard over on one side that's new.  Don't really want to rebuild the power steering pump right now.

Going to wait until it's got a few hundred miles at least on it before taking anywhere farther than Bellingham.  Just to be sure it doesn't have an infant mortality failure a long ways from home.

[Calumus]

I'll agree with the should be mandatory thought. I'll take the tiny bit of extra noise for the peace of mind. Though I would say that it only makes a difference if they're appropriately sized. I know the chains in 12 valve VW VR6's were prone to failure, and I've heard that the chains in new Hemis are the size of bicycle chains.

[KD5NRH]

I know the chains in 12 valve VW VR6's were prone to failure, and I've heard that the chains in new Hemis are the size of bicycle chains.

Ew.  The one in my 4 cylinder Saturn looks like a drive chain for a fairly hefty motorcycle.

[bedlamite]

Car seems to running really well.  Got a squeal from the power steering when hard over on one side that's new.  Don't really want to rebuild the power steering pump right now.

Going to wait until it's got a few hundred miles at least on it before taking anywhere farther than Bellingham.  Just to be sure it doesn't have an infant mortality failure a long ways from home.

Check the PS fluid level.

[Northwoods]

Check the PS fluid level.

Full, or was when I finished with the timing belt.  I'll check it again in the morning.

[Brad Johnson]

Most likely got a little oil or grease on the belt or pulley while doing the repair. Take a bit of rubbing alcohol or carb cleaner on a rag and wipe down the pulley, then install a fresh belt and chalk it up to preventive maintenance. Might not be a bad idea to also installa fresh belt tensioner and idler. They are wear items and usually inexpensive.

Brad