1st & 2nd Generation (1983–1986 & 1987-1991)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1983-1986 & 1987-1991.
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
My brother was out with the wagn to go play pool or something, and he told me "the check engine ligh came on and it just died." I went over to help himout, and so first thing I checked the oil, which was pretty damn low. Next I had him crank the starter with the ditributor disconnected, and the bottom end seemed to turn over normally.
The engine, of course, wouldn't start, but it was making this squinking sort of sound from what seemed like the distributor general area.
Does this sound like the belt, or something much worse? I am going to confirm this tomorrow, but I was hoping maybe to get some input tonight so I can be prepared to fix it as fast as possible,since it looks like I will have to do it while it's parked on the street, and its not real close to our home or a parts store.
So yeah, squinky cranking=timing belt snapped? or what else?
One bright note is that we were able to push it into a legal space in an area where finding parking after dark is like a finding a glacier in the rainforest. Score!
and really too dark to be messing with taking the cap off, but still I had to fight back the urge to do it. I guess I just like getting dirty, what can I tell you.
That's the first thing I intend to check tomorrow. I was just hoping maybe somebody else would post up saying, yeah I had the same thing/sound happen and it was just the belt.
Pull out the code first.
To check for broken timing belt, take out the round rubber plug in upper the timing belt cover--this will expose the cam sprocket. Crank the engine and see if sprocket is spinning.
If the rotor turns while cranking the engine the timing belt is not broken. I think this is what you meant when you said that you disconnected the distributor and the bottom end turned but I am uncertain. If it isn't it is an easy check.
I disconnected the distributor input wires, just to avoid ignition at a potentially weird point in the juxstaposition if the cam/crank, in case the timing belt is broken and valves are stuck closed when they shouldnt be.
I am heading over to the car now. I willlet you all know what I find.
you know that video circulating the web where the guys pour water into the engine,then out pennies in the head? it sounds very familiar to the squinking sound heard in that video:
I pulled off the cover as suggested by Dr. J(thanks for that helpful tip!).
Camshaft sprocket no turny.
So it looks like it's the belt to me. Hopefully nothing is locked up under there(oil pump, tensioner,etc). This engine has alot of miles, so I want to minimize how much we spend on it.
That said, assuming everything under the timing belt covers is still ok, could I just buy the belt and throw it on? Or is there anything else that is essential for me to replace while I have it open? I would rather not do it twice.
Also, I like Gates brand belts, They make OEM timing belts for hondas and many other cars. Up to and including the last one I bought(for my tercel), they were made in USA. Any objections?
Thanks for the help so far, y'all. With your help, I'm sure I can get this sorted.
Since you have another car to run for parts, just take off the cover and check things out before you buy parts. Consider the engine seals, the water pump and maybe the oil pump. I believe that there is another belt in there to run the oil pump that you may want to replace. This is all going on memory. You may want to do a search on this site as well as check the on line manual. There are a lot of posts covering this.
One of the good things about Camrys is that they are "non-interferance" engines so breaking the timing belt doesn't damage the engine. The timing belts do deteriorate quicker if they are getting water or oil on them so if it isn't clean under the cover try to fix the leak(s) before going to the trouble of putting on the new belt and timing it.
That said, assuming everything under the timing belt covers is still ok, could I just buy the belt and throw it on? Or is there anything else that is essential for me to replace while I have it open? I would rather not do it twice.
How long are you going to keep the car? If a year or less, yeah, i would just throw a timing belt on and forget it. If you dont know how long you will have to keep it, and otherwise seems to be good (just how low was that oil? Im sure you already know thats the quickest way to kill an engine there is) - i would change the water pump, cam seal, and idler while i was in there too.
There are a couple excellent posts on changing timing belts here and it may not be the one for your exact engine but it'll be pretty close. I'd guess you'd spend about $150 - 200 for parts to do it right. A timing belt alone is about $30.
So after fighting with the rain for the past few days, today I finally got the front of the motor all disassembled. I also removed the old timing belt, which, to my astonishment, WAS NOT BROKEN!
It seems some of the teeth on the belt tore off. about a 5" length is just down to the backing. Most of the broken off teeth were down towards the crank sprocket area.
So I believe what happened is that the crank sprocket started to slip, and just tore all the teeth right off the belt.
What I am not sure of, is why.
I have every reason to believe that this is the factory original timing belt, but I really have no way of knowing.
The back(flat side) is cracked and splitting around the entire circumference of the belt.
OK on to what I found under the covers.
It was surprisingly clean under the front covers. Both pumps and both idler pulleys checked out fine. I turned the head over, via the sprocket bolt, and that took a little force(especially initally, like the first nudge was tight), but I would imagine that is to be expected, what with the cams pushing on the valve springs. I dont believe it is locked up???
It looks like I will have to remove the valve cover to put the cams back in timing anyway, so I will update you all on what I find under there, good or bad.
Right now input on the belt being broken would be greatly appreciated. What do you reckon happened?
one thing I should add is that the first night when the car broke down, I brought some oil and put about 1 1/2 quarts in. That brough the oil level up to just over the full mark. So I dont think it starved at any point.
I am going out to pull the a/c compressor off now(since I am gutting the a/c to make things easier and lighter), so discuss!
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