View Single Post
Old 01-09-2014, 11:57 PM   #5
Levithan9
AF Newbie
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 72
Thanks: 0
Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts
Re: How critical is the Timing Belt

The is an interference design engine. When that belt breaks....place your head firmly between your legs and kiss your ass good bye!! And while your down there, might wanna give your wallet a fond farewell and Bon voyage, because it'll never be the same.

While its true that the camshafts will stop turning, you will have about 3-5 seconds of the engine running before the crankshaft and camshaft timing shut off the injectors. But in that amount of time, your engine may rotate several hundred times. In the last month, I have had 3 cars come in where the timing belt broke....a Suzuki Forenza...needed an engine.....a 2003 Galant......needed an engine.....and a 1999 Civic....also needed an engine. In all 3 cases, the piston either destroyed the valves and the valve seats, which would require a new head, or as in the case of the Galant, #2 and #4 pistons had huge holes in the top due to the fact that they were rammed into the open valves. It's amazing what kind of damage can be done when a timing belt snaps

My advice, get it done and as quick as you can. And the mere fact that you have now mentioned it will work against you. As of right now, Murphy's Law is hard at work, conspiring against you, and plotting his next move. Time is not on your side.
Levithan9 is offline   Reply With Quote