Broken Timing Belt questions

[unkit]

Hi Guys

Long story short, my timing belt broke. But there are a few peculiarities that I was hoping someone might be able to help with.

1. My car has done 90 000km since the last replacement- I thought they were suppposed to last 100 000km
2. The belt didn't just snap. I was driving along, car lost all power and stalled. It would barely move till i reved it past 4000rpm (i thought I had killed the transmission).
3. Then it suddenly stopped moving at all. I called the mobile mechanic, and was told the timing belt snapped. This was fixed along with a new tensioner. Car ran beautifully again.

4.... and this is the sadest part. I was driving along, and the car had noticibly reduced power.... then it cut out completely. Called the mobile mechanic again, and was told that it seems as if the timing belt has slipped. I haven't even done 1000km since the replacement. Is it something that I'm doing wrong?


BTW, i have an Australian Gen 3 camry with a 5sfe and Automatic tranny- 1994 CSI

[new echo owner]

It is possible if the water pump bearing, idler bearing or the tensioner bearing, any one of them went out, could cause the timing to come loose and the engine to quit. Especially probable if your engine had been a little on the noisy side lately.

N.E.O.

[dz63]

What N.E.O. said.

Ask mechanic to check the idler pulley and water pump too. If either is running "rough", replace them. It is generally recommended to change the water pump with each timing belt change, although I have heard of some people getting away with every second timing belt change.

Also, for $5, you might want to consider replacing the tensioner spring with a new one from Toyota to ensure you are getting the correct timing belt tension. They can weaken over time with heat, etc.

[unkit]

I think the water pump was changed with the timing belt.... so was the tensioner etc. Any other ideas?

[new echo owner]

They can last 100,000km or more if the timing belt is properly adjusted with the correct tension. Even though, it wasn't mentioned in the maintenance schedule, the timing belt on the 5sfe can use a close inspection after about 60,000km and the tension check; one of the telltale sign is a rattling noise from the front of the engine, because the belt is rubbing against the timing cover.

Take the upper timing cover off, and see if it is indeed the timing belt itself failed or something else.

N.E.O.

[unkit]

hmm, no idea how to do that. Got towed to the mechanic... so lets see what happens.

doesn't it seem odd for a timing belt thats less than 1 week old and has less than 1500km on it?

[new echo owner]

Originally Posted by unkit

hmm, no idea how to do that. Got towed to the mechanic... so lets see what happens.

doesn't it seem odd for a timing belt thats less than 1 week old and has less than 1500km on it?

Less than 1 week and 1500km? Did the timing belt just got replaced recently or 90,000km ago?

N.E.O.

[dz63]

I know someone that had a brand new Dayco timing belt break on his Acura. It was an interference engine. He ended up with bent valves. Dayco helped pay for the repairs. After that he installed an OEM belt. But I think that a brand new timing belt breaking is very rare. Either way, let us know. I am curious to know what happened.

[unkit]

Originally Posted by new echo owner

Less than 1 week and 1500km? Did the timing belt just got replaced recently or 90,000km ago?

N.E.O.

Sorry about the confusion. The timing belt currently on the car was replaced about 1200km ago. This was after the LAST belt lasted 90 000km.

Apparently, the NEW belt has moved. Anyways, the mechanic is looking at it now, i'll post what happened.

[new echo owner]

May not have adjusted the tension correctly? Maybe?

N.E.O.