timing belt ?

Well the other day my wife was driving the 97 villager and as she was pulling up to a light it dies. so after bringing it home i started checking, it is getting fuel, but no spark so after reading several post came to relize it must be timing belt, because i took off the distributor and the rotor does not spin when you crank it. well after reading some more i got concerned that i might have damaged the engine because of the belt breaking. my question is there any way of knowing if ther is damage or should i just replace the belt and hope for the best. thanks for any input, Dave.

Well the other day my wife was driving the 97 villager and as she was pulling up to a light it dies. so after bringing it home i started checking, it is getting fuel, but no spark so after reading several post came to relize it must be timing belt, because i took off the distributor and the rotor does not spin when you crank it. well after reading some more i got concerned that i might have damaged the engine because of the belt breaking. my question is there any way of knowing if ther is damage or should i just replace the belt and hope for the best. thanks for any input, Dave.

I would replace timing belt, the 3.0 engine to my knowledge is a non-interference engine meaning no damage should have been done. There is clearance between valves and pistons.

When you change the timing belt I suggest you replace water pump and thermostat at the same time since you have to do all of the same work to access water pump.

Here are a couple of sites with timing belt instructions:

Factory Service Manual: http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/
Scroll down to Quest, click on it and pick year and go to Section EM

Here is a freeonline service manual site:

http://www.oplin.org/databases/proxy2/proxy.php?qurl=http%3a%2f%2farrc.epnet.com%2fautoa sp%2fframerq.asp
enter 123456789 for library card number-submit
click on the box with linrary in it and more will appear click on Punlic Library of Cincinnati and submit
Scroll down to auto repair reference center ARRC
choose year, make, model

I did the belt and pump on my 94 and took me about 9hrs.

Hope this helps.

thanks so much for all the info !!!!

I need to do my timing belt in the near future. The one thing I did not see in the instructions is, how do you get the crank pulley bolt out? Is there a pulley holder tool or flywheel lock you need to have to hold the engine from turning? What is the torque spec for the bolt when reinstalling it? Do you need to buy a new bolt or just reuse the old one?

Thanks,

Matt

Matt, I just finished changing the timing belf on my 2001 Villiger. To pull the crank pulley I used an air impact to remove the bolt and a steering wheel type puller for the pulley. Just a few turns on the puller bolt and it came right off. With the engine on TDC, there was no turning once the belt was removed, and toruqe for reinstall was about 141 - 156 lbs. for the crank bolt.

If you don't have an impact use a large screwdriver or pry bar and block the flywheel some people remove the starter and block at this point. You can also use a chain wrench which goes around the pulley. It will have to be stopped from moving using a breaker bar and large socket.

i have a 93 villager and it needs a timing belt. i've never worked on one before, so im wondering is there one or two belts? do i have to drop the engine or is there a way around it? i can't seem to find a diagram of the engine anywhere and we don't have a manual. please help

1 belt. Also change water pump when replacing timing belt and tensioner.

If you look in post #2 of this thread you will find 2 links for manuals with pics.
Also the Free online service manual is a sticky on top of this forum.

Read this full thread as there is information in it. Also any other questions please start a new thread.

The 93 may have a different belt than the 94's and newer so make sure you get the proper belt. Best to remove old belt before acquiring new one.
If belt is not broke remove #1 plug (Spark plug on the bank closest to the firewall, first plug nearest the passenger fender) and set the engine at TDC (Top Dead Center) so crankshaft and camshafts line up properly.
IF belt is broken you will also need to do this but is slightly more involved.

REMEMBER when installing the drive belts (power steering, airconditioning, etc) that you do not overtighten the belts because the 93 has a smaller crankshaft snout and will break off if the belts are overtightened, then a new crankshaft will need to be installed.

You will need to have front of vehicle on jack stands to remove passenger side tire, splash shields to remove drive belts, harmonic balancer and timing belt. You will need to work from top of engine and tire area to do the job.