Timing Belt Failed and Took Out Engine

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M

mister bean

Joined
Sep 20, 2005
Threads
26
Messages
241
Location
Boulder, CO
Driving home yesterday, the engine died on the highway. I had it towed to a mechanic last night, and they called this morning to say that the timing belt broke and the engine has no compression. Yay interference engines! The timing belt was replaced around 100k, and it has about 160k on it now. So that's rather unexpected.

Their estimate for a used engine with new timing system, and installation is $6300. Which is roughly what I would have guessed the truck was worth, so that seems difficult to justify.

Is a new head a reasonable fix (assuming the bottom end is okay)?

Any idea what a '99 with some body damage might be worth without a running engine?
 
The question you should ask is; How did they do a compression test without a timing belt?

You would need to replace the timing belt in order to do a compression test, otherwise the valves wouldn't move. Do you trust that shop?
 
Did they use OEM timing belt parts during the install? And so we continue to debate whether these are interference engines....
 
40Habits said:
The question you should ask is; How did they do a compression test without a timing belt?

You would need to replace the timing belt in order to do a compression test, otherwise the valves wouldn't move. Do you trust that shop?
Click to expand...

What he said...

Even with the timing belt snap, odds are that at least one of the cylinders should have compression because likely at least one cylinder has the valves shut. If all the valves were open, did they rotate the cams by hand to get them to shut so they could test each cylinder? It's possible but time consuming...not the kind of thing they'd look at for 30 mins and then call with a diagnosis.

$6300 also seems high....depends on their installation price though. Considering you could buy a whole LC for that much, you'd be way ahead to buy one, swap the motor, and then part out the rest (if you have the ability or inclination).

Assuming the pistons aren't buggered and depending on prices in your area, you could either go with a reman head or rebuild the head yourself and replace the offending valves.
 
Who did the tbelt and how long ago? I would think that they may warranty the work/parts
 
^ what they all said. It likely just needs a new belt. Even if a piston(s) or valve(s) is damaged, it sounds like the garage is trying to take advantage of you by claiming you need a new engine due to no compression in any cylinders before even putting a belt on it.

I would take it somewhere else, or home and put a belt on it myself and hope for the best.
 
PabloCruise said:
If you are in Boulder, take it to Robbie - stat! No one else...
Click to expand...

Robbie - TLCA Tech Editor and Toyota FJ Trail Team leader
Adventure Off Road
303-884-7813
6367 Arapahoe Rd Boulder, CO 80303
 
mister bean said:
Driving home yesterday, the engine died on the highway. I had it towed to a mechanic last night, and they called this morning to say that the timing belt broke and the engine has no compression. Yay interference engines! The timing belt was replaced around 100k, and it has about 160k on it now. So that's rather unexpected.

Their estimate for a used engine with new timing system, and installation is $6300. Which is roughly what I would have guessed the truck was worth, so that seems difficult to justify.

Is a new head a reasonable fix (assuming the bottom end is okay)?

Any idea what a '99 with some body damage might be worth without a running engine?
Click to expand...

Your getting way ahead of yourself. Take a breath and call Robbie
 
And find out if there was another cause for the belt breaking - loose bolt shedding it, etc. You would be one of the literal handful or less to have a belt just "snap" out of the blue, especially at 60K on a replacement. Virtually unheard of...
 
40Habits said:
The question you should ask is; How did they do a compression test without a timing belt?

You would need to replace the timing belt in order to do a compression test, otherwise the valves wouldn't move. Do you trust that shop?
Click to expand...

They have treated me well in the past, pointing out that work recommended by other shops was not actually necessary. I think what they said was tbelt broke, it's an interference engine, so there won't be compression.

fumetsu said:
Did they use OEM timing belt parts during the install? And so we continue to debate whether these are interference engines....
Click to expand...

I'd have to go digging through my records. It was done one or two owners back.

46/71 Hybrid said:
What he said...

Even with the timing belt snap, odds are that at least one of the cylinders should have compression because likely at least one cylinder has the valves shut. If all the valves were open, did they rotate the cams by hand to get them to shut so they could test each cylinder? It's possible but time consuming...not the kind of thing they'd look at for 30 mins and then call with a diagnosis.

$6300 also seems high....depends on their installation price though. Considering you could buy a whole LC for that much, you'd be way ahead to buy one, swap the motor, and then part out the rest (if you have the ability or inclination).

Assuming the pistons aren't buggered and depending on prices in your area, you could either go with a reman head or rebuild the head yourself and replace the offending valves.
Click to expand...

Good points. As mentioned by somebody else, I may be getting ahead of myself. Time to do more diggin/have Robbie take a look at it.

PabloCruise said:
If you are in Boulder, take it to Robbie - stat! No one else...
Click to expand...

I wasn't able to get ahold of him last night, so didn't know where to have it taken for him. But I've got an email in to him now.

SWUtah said:
Your getting way ahead of yourself. Take a breath and call Robbie
Click to expand...

This seems like the best course of action. I've got an email in to him now.
 
re_guderian said:
And find out if there was another cause for the belt breaking - loose bolt shedding it, etc. You would be one of the literal handful or less to have a belt just "snap" out of the blue, especially at 60K on a replacement. Virtually unheard of...
Click to expand...

^This. Tensioner or something else more than likely failed (if not replaced with first belt). Find a used 4.7 if needed and have all TB parts replaced and should be much less than $6k. Sorry to hear about your truck.
 
Put on a new timing belt and drive. We've had many accounts of timing belt breaks under load in the non VVTi 2UZ-fe (pre 2006) without damage. If in doubt (because S**t happens) have each cylinder scoped.

Or sell it to me. I'll give KKB value less your estimated cost & damages I find.
 
mister bean said:
I think what they said was tbelt broke, it's an interference engine, so there won't be compression.
Click to expand...
Any shop just suggesting you need a new engine without sussing out the details is either untrustworthy or run by folks that are stupid.

Take your truck elsewhere.
 
I concur, they are scandalous! They have already earned your trust with small ticket items and now they are trying to cash in. Do it yourself, even if you never had it would take a weekend at most to slap on a new belt. Non-vvti are super simple.
 
Sounds like a poor and hasty (if not outright wrong) diagnosis from the shop. When quoting somebody over $6k they should be much more thorough. I'd take exception to that and would have to cross them off my list of "decent" shops.

Others have mentioned another local shop, but if all else fails, you are in the land of Slee as well...
 
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