'97 Prizm 1.6 timing belt - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

keenyoung · 06-30-2006, 12:58 PM

My wife just lost the timing belt on our 1997 Geo Prizim. Unfortunately, she tried to crank the engine for several minutes before giving up. Does anyone know if the 1.6 engine is an interferance engine? Or do we have some bent valves?
I don't know how to tell, but I believe it is a 4AFE engine, is that right?

Thanks,
Keen

Spud · 07-01-2006, 11:12 AM

I believe you have the 4AFE engine.Its the same engine in the Corolla of similar vintage.If your Geo has the 4AFE you shouldnt have any bent valves.

thespud · 07-01-2006, 11:16 AM

1997 Prism i a 4AFE engine, which is a non-interference engine. Should be just a matter of putting a new belt on and off you go (to an extent).

But you have to make sure the timing is right. have you lined it all up??

***REN69*** · 07-01-2006, 06:43 PM

Hence the reason why its called.. "preventive" maintenance, learn to use it!

You're lucky the 7AFE is non-interferance, otherwise you be looking for a new motor and not a new timing belt.

keenyoung · 07-03-2006, 12:17 AM

Ok, I found a sticker on the distributor that reads 7AFE.

How do I line up the cam pulley with the engine at top-dead center? (Wish I had a manual.)

Thanks,
Keen

cheesep · 07-03-2006, 06:25 PM

Check out the Autozone online manual

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBr...rGuideYMMEYear

A Haynes Manual is a good investment. . .

keenyoung · 07-05-2006, 12:01 AM

But, no time!. Had to have car running today. So, I finish up the job by guessing that the timing marks on the back of the gears should point at each other (just like every other DOHC car Iv'e ever worked on) at TDC. Try to start the car, and.... no compression. Surprise,
I guessed wrong.

So, I took off the distributor cap, and the rotor was no where near the number one plug wire. So,I unbutton the valve cover, and timing cover, again, and pull the new timing belt. Rotate the cams so the distributor points at number one. Where do the cam gear timing marks line up? In mid air. Pointing at nothing.

I guess they're supposed to be straight vetical, but it's kind of a hit and miss operation when they don't actually point at a physical spot. Apparently I guessed right, however, because after I got it all put back together she fired right up and ran great.

Thanks for all your help,
Keen

tashirosgt · 07-05-2006, 09:37 AM

There area assembly marks on one side of cam gears that you match when you put the cams in the head. The timing marks are different marks. I haven't a way to check this at the moment, but they might be on the other side of the cam gear,