Wow...my car just died

[bmw5002]

Hey guys check this. I was driving with a friend tonite down the highway to get sum hot dogs at this place called ruts hut in NJ, anyway im driving normally, then, without warning, the engine just completely dies and the check engine light comes on. i coast to the shoulder while losing power steering and brake. i try cranking the motor and it feels like there IS NO COMPRESSION. as if there was no head on the motor at all. i figured a blown head gasket would be a leak but nothing like this. the motor just turns freely, with no sputter or attempt to fire at all. while ruling out the possiblilities, i settled that it must be a broken timing belt. the car has 190,000 miles on it and i am unsure of the maintenance history of the past 185,000 or so. I figured that the only possible way for the engine to have no compression is the broken belt, leaving the valves open and air just puffing in and out. Do you think this failure could have damaged the valves or pistons?

[ShawnM]

Should be fine, but the only way to know for sure would be to put another timing belt on it and fire it up.

[cobrajet25]

Sounds like a textbook broken timing belt. Did you hear any noise when the thing quit, or did it just stop? If you can crank it freely now, then the valves are obviously not hitting the pistons...but that is not to say they never did. A new timing belt is only about $20, so as Shawn M says that would be the best way to find out what kind of shape the engine is in. Do a search and you will find lots of tips for replacing the t-belt. It is not a complex or difficult operation, but it is a little time-consuming if you have never done it before. You might want to change your water pump while you are in there, too. I replaced the t-belt on my '90 when I first got it (my belt was COVERED with deep cracks), and six months later had to tear the whole thing apart again to replace the water pump. A pump will set you back about $40. Sounds like $50-$60 bucks worth of parts and an afternoon spent under the hood will get you going again. Good luck, and keep us posted. Regards, Aaron

[Flashmn]

if you can crank it freely now, then the valves are obviously not hitting the pistons

Considering 4A-FE is a non-interference engine valves shouldnt have hit the pistons.

[PPW-546]

Considering 4A-FE is a non-interference engine valves shouldnt have hit the pistons.

What's a "non-interference" engine? is the 5A the same with the 4A-FE? I mean in terms on this interference thing?

[Flashmn]

Means that valves and pistons dont hit when the belt breaks. I dont know about the 5A, but I would assume it is.

[PPW-546]

cool. thanks. if it's true that all belt-driven motors are considered "non-interference" then i guess my 5A is of the same type.

[Flashmn]

Well I dont think theres anything else different with the 5A, except a shorter block and less stroke.

[ratboycom]

actually i think the 5a is just a thicker sleeve in a 4a block, and VW 8valves are interference motors and are belt driven, so are alot of volvos

[cobrajet25]

Lots of belt-driven motors are interference motors. In fact, I heard that the general rule is most Toyotas are not interference while most Hondas are. Regards, Aaron

[Flashmn]

Well this is a toyota board, so I dont think we were talking about other than toyota engines