Car troubles over night

[NAthanpoulson]

Ok I got home last night car was running fine nothing wrong with it at all..

wake up this morning pull out to leave driveway all nice and easy like usually, i get on the main road and give it some gas and it bogs down.. and start to shake. so i turn around and go back home, parked it gave it some gas and it did the same thing, like something was holding it back. then after like 15mins of idling it died.. and now it wont start agian..

when trying to start it, it just randomly stops turning over..

my father said that i may have skipped the timing belt some how.. but his guess is kinda weak b/c hes in georgia and im in minnesota. and all he is going by is what he can hear on the phone..

[ASG14]

My 1st thought was also timing belt. How many miles since it was last replaced? How many miles on car? What engine? What year?

[NAthanpoulson]

96, i4 no idea on engine.. what ever comes in the 96.. like 240k, and i dont think its been replaced ever

[new echo owner]

240k, should already have a few timing belt replacements done.

Will you be working on the car yourself or someone else will be doing the repair?

N.E.O.

[NAthanpoulson]

it depends on what needs to be done when replacing it, and what tools are needed..

[new echo owner]

There is a thread that explains pretty well on what is involve in replacing the timing belt and water pump on a vehicle like yours, do a search. See if it is something you want to tackle. However, you may want to do some testing to make sure that is indeed the problem with you car first before diving into it.

N.E.O.

[MattInLA]

What is the minimal amount of stuff you have to remove on a camry 4 cyl to see the timing belt?

[new echo owner]

Depends on how much you want to see, but at least the two top screws for the upper timing cover. If not the upper timing cover after you remove the bracket/support for the dog bone.

N.E.O.

[Mike Gerber]

The 96 I4 has a 2.2 liter designated as the 5SFE engine.

Incidently, the timing belt change interval on the generation 3 (1992-1996) was every 60,000 miles. Some feel you are safe to stretch that now to 90,000 miles, since the technology for making the rubber timing belts has improved over the years.

Mike

[new echo owner]

90,000 miles on a four cylinder is pushing it a bit for timing belt.

N.E.O.

[Mike Gerber]

Originally Posted by new echo owner

90,000 miles on a four cylinder is pushing it a bit for timing belt.

N.E.O.

90,000 miles is the recommended change interval for the generation 4 Camry (1997-2001). I believe both generation 3 and generation 4 use the same timing belt.

Mike

[new echo owner]

Unless the timing belt is adjusted every 30,000 miles or so, the timing belt in the 4 cylinders will be making noise. The V6 has the hydraulic tensioner automatically regulates the tension on the timing belt, which helps a lot in the longevity of the timing belt. The ones on the four cylinders, however, needs to be done manually, and I don't believe there is even a recommendation for that.

N.E.O.

[Typrus]

I know in the 2 4-cylinders outside of my Camry the recommendations were such-
3AC- 60k miles. No adjustments.
I've seen them taken to 100k with no adjustments before issues occur. Never thought of tightening it occasionally... Hmmm...
1Z VW TDI- 60k miles.
Personally taken them to 100k miles. In both times, DEFINITELY should not have. Belts were fraying at that point. No adjustments made. Bear in mind this engine has the T-belt driving the oil pump, vacuum pump, cam, and injection pump.

Then the ALH VW TDI's can go 60k on the factory belt and there is an aftermarket 100k belt. These ones drive the oil pump, vacuum pump, water pump, cam, and injection pump.


But still... Don't push your luck...

BTW, are the 5SFE's interference?

[new echo owner]

No, the 5SFE is pretty safe from bent valves when timing belt break, just a dead car that won't move that's all.

N.E.O.

[gladis]

I thought the 5s is supposed to be 90k for initial change, then every 60k thereafter.