Engine Failure - Lessons Learned - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

bobflood · 12-08-2011, 09:18 AM

Major engine problem at 157K miles. 5:45AM on I75 in Atlanta; 75MPH. Timing belt tensioner failed; cause timing to skip; belt stretched; water pump stopped pumping. Coasted to stop in about a minute, but temp gauge pegged. Cracked one head and warped the other. All maintenance up to date; oil changes every 5K miles; new timing belt at 97K. Rebuilding with new heads, tensioner, water pump, belt, plugs, etc; about $2800. Good news; just "stuff" - no one hurt! Get car back today.
Lessons Learned:
- Next time would treat tensioner just like the water pump and replace tensioner with new belt.
- Started hearing occasional "rubbing" noise from engine a couple of weeks ago; looked briefly from top but nothing obvious. I was going to check it out on lift over Christmas holiday. Next time investigate more quickly/completely; get to shop faster.
Merry Christmas everyone!!

buchaja · 12-08-2011, 05:11 PM

Glad everyone is OK. You've got an admirable attitude. It is just "stuff", afterall.

Thanks for the heads up about the tensioner, and Merry Christmas to you too.

***TrailDust*** · 12-08-2011, 07:23 PM

Sorry to hear about that happening, but your post is certainly much appreciated!

ChiTDI · 12-08-2011, 07:44 PM

Sorry to hear of your malaise.

Lesson learned - my records indicate my tensioner is original.
Ordered a new one and will have a TB party this weekend.

Yes, your attitiude is admirable.
Best to you and a Xmas thanks for the post.

pmesfun · 12-09-2011, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiTDI

Sorry to hear of your malaise.

Lesson learned - my records indicate my tensioner is original.
Ordered a new one and will have a TB party this weekend.

Yes, your attitiude is admirable.
Best to you and a Xmas thanks for the post.

Just a note, if you remove the old tensioner slowly, there is no need to remove the timing covers to re-align the belt.

ChiTDI · 12-10-2011, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmesfun

Just a note, if you remove the old tensioner slowly, there is no need to remove the timing covers to re-align the belt.

Didn't know that, thanks.
I'm 77k into the old TB job, so I'll have Santa come early and do the whole job w/WP, pulleys, TENSIONER, seals and new accessory belts.