'93 1.9L Escort snapped timing belt, what else to check?

[Thirdgen89GTA]

Like the title says. I was at a stop light the other day and I went to creep forward a bit. Light went green and I gave it some gas to start moving when the engine suddenly died. That was it, no unusual noises or problems in its entire history. Regular service its hole life. Apprently the timing belt was replaced around 90k before I bought it.

I can do the work, but I would like some opinions on what else to check for damage. How likely are these engines to smack a valve when the timing belt goes? I really don't want to pull the head off unnessesarily. I had a friend crank the car while I looked at the cam/springs through the valve cover oil fill hole. The camshaft does not move when the engine is cranking so I think its safe to assume that the belt snapped.

If it costs too much for parts I'll throw a low mileage JY motor in there if its around the same cost. Hell, I am considering pulling the engine just to do the work if it looks like its too cramped to work nicely in there.

[94scortlx19]

just throw a new timing belt on, your engine is fine. the 1.9 is a non interference motor.. meaning that even if your timing belt snaps @ 5000RPM the valves will never hit the pistons

[Thirdgen89GTA]

Originally Posted by 94scortlx19

just throw a new timing belt on, your engine is fine. the 1.9 is a non interference motor.. meaning that even if your timing belt snaps @ 5000RPM the valves will never hit the pistons

Excellent. I am leaking coolant, so it looks like its time for a waterpump too. I wonder if the belt caused the water pump to leak, or perhaps the water pump seized and then threw the belt shortly after. It was running right in the normal range, it always runs hotter part of the "normal" range.

Why can't I have just a stupid, REAL temp gauge thats actually accurate? I hate idiot lights.

When setting the timing how do I do that? I've never set the timing on a car with a cam/crank sensor before. From what I've read there is a dot on the crank snout, and a arrow on the cam sprocket, and I'm supposed to make sure they are both at the 12 o'clock position?

Hell, other than standard stuff, and the usual oil changes I've never done anything major to it.

[94scortlx19]

yes more than likely the water pump seized and the belt snapped... and as for the timing.. yes there are dots on the cam gear and on the crankshaft damper.. and there are notches on the engine that you align the dots with.. simple as that

[dlbdata]

Just curious, how many miles do you have on the car?

I'm still holding out on changing the timing belt, but I was told if you're doing the timing belt go ahead and change the water pump at the same time.

[Thirdgen89GTA]

Originally Posted by dlbdata

Just curious, how many miles do you have on the car?

I'm still holding out on changing the timing belt, but I was told if you're doing the timing belt go ahead and change the water pump at the same time.

143k on the clock.

[Twistedsilence11]

Even though some its a 92' escort. I would still check the valves. I have a 99 escort and i snapped the timing belt and blew out the clutch; one of my guys at the garage thats been working on engines for 20 years said that most of the time, not always, but most of the time the valves will bend, and the engine is scrap. I would double check. And while your at it slap a new water pump on it, depending on how many miles are on it.

[Thirdgen89GTA]

Originally Posted by Twistedsilence11

Even though some its a 92' escort. I would still check the valves. I have a 99 escort and i snapped the timing belt and blew out the clutch; one of my guys at the garage thats been working on engines for 20 years said that most of the time, not always, but most of the time the valves will bend, and the engine is scrap. I would double check. And while your at it slap a new water pump on it, depending on how many miles are on it.

the 91-96 engines are non-interference from everything I've read. So unless I install a different camshaft, or put a domed style piston in there for more compression the valves cannot hit the piston at all. Not even if the valve is fully opened and piston is at TDC.

I have to replace the waterpump, thats probably what caused the belt to fail as it was leaking coolant right after it died. It wasn't overheating, I know that for sure.

[Marko11]

Accordiing to Gates.com the 1.9 infact is an interference engine...

[Thirdgen89GTA]

Originally Posted by Marko11

Accordiing to Gates.com the 1.9 infact is an interference engine...

Though people report no problems when they snap belts. I think I'll go with public concensus on this matter.

[jman63]

91 to 96 1.9 engines do NOT bend valves when the belt snaps.......they simply don't.....

[Thirdgen89GTA]

Originally Posted by jman63

91 to 96 1.9 engines do NOT bend valves when the belt snaps.......they simply don't.....

No, but they like to drop the #4 valve seat! I got 140k, I suppose I should buy a junkyard head and have it redone so I can just swap them out. Then sell the old one as a core.