3.4 DOHC help????

[Bud-sc]

I have a 92 olds cutlass with the 3.4 with 150,000 miles on dash.I was driving to my dads house until the car just cut off,stopped.I was going 39mph and it was enough to get the off the road.When I got the car off the road I tryed to start it again,but it wants to start up but nothing like if its not getting the gas,but I smell gas and I the fuel pump is coming on.Has the car "jumped" timing maybe??If so how much does a new chain cost and labor????I know it not the battery.Another thought was fuel injectors have gone bad???Thanks for the help Bud-sc

[GTP Dad]

This certainly can be the timing belt. The 3.4 has a belt and not a chain. If you have never changed it then that would be the place to start. To check it remove a valve cover and if the cam doesn't spin then the belt is broken and will have to be replaced. You may actually have additional issues since there is a possibility of bent valves due to the pistons hitting valves when the belt broke. This can be checked by doing a compression test on each cylinder once the belt is replaced. Unfortunately, I don't know how much this repair will cost.

[theragtopguy]

First of all the 3.4 is a non-interference engine. If the timing belt snaps on it the valves will not hit the piston. You can check by taking off the inspection cover on the LH side (from the front) of the cam cover. If it cranks but the cams don't turn that is your problem.

I had one done on my Olds and it cost around 500 bucks.

More info on this problem can be found at:

www.60degreev6.com These guys are the 3.4 experts!

www.W-body.com

[GTP Dad]

Thanks for the information. I am not familiar with the 3.4 and there is not a lot of information available in the Haynes manual that I have.

[theragtopguy]

I know what you mean, the Haynes manuals suck. I have a set of factory service manuals for my Olds. Next time the belt needs to get changed, I'm doing it myself.

Glad to have helped!