99 Rodeo LS in shop with timing belt, question

[wildlysmiley]

I posted this in the "how many miles do you have" but got no responses, so I moved it to here, once I figured out how to begin a thread.
I have to make some decisions pretty soon, as I should have a diagnosis on her later today.
Thanks for any advice you can offer, see story below

1999 LS
(1998 engine)
2wd
approx 91000 miles

I am not sure of the mileage cuz she is in the shop as we speak
Major engine trouble:
Had to replace first engine after driving 3000 miles (it used almost all oil in the first 1500 miles, long story)
with this engine
current trouble is timing belt has slipped 4 teeth (I'm told)
mechanic is waiting for part (he is not going to replace water pump, as he thinks the tensioner was left loose when water pump was replaced).
He says there may be damage to the valves, which he will know after replacing timing belt tomorrow

does all of this sound reasonable to you?

engine is producing white smoke, husband thinks I should sell this truck and cut my loses (i have about 8grand in it with the engine replacement)...I can probably only sell it for 5k and don't really know what to buy next that would be similar and under 10k...what are your thoughts!!??
I have really enjoyed driving this truck, but it needs tires, and the brakes are about half worn...just trying to decide which way to head from here.

Thanks in advance for your opinions!!
Jan

[wildlysmiley]

P.S. I sell real estate, drive all over the tri-county area on lots of rural and desolate roads...it is essential that I have a dependable, working vehichle.

Just thought I would qualify things...we also live outside of town about 13 miles, so I pretty much live in my truck It seems like I am driving about half the time.
Thanks again
jan.

[amigo-2k]

4 cly or v6?

If v6 the timing belt can break and it wont damage the engine.

4 cly the timing belt can break and it will damage the engine.

[wildlysmiley]

well, i just got the dreaded phone call....they say all new heads and valves are needed, it didn't hold any compression, none, zilch, zero

worst case is $1700 and best is $1400.
Icheeewawa!!
there go the bookcases I was going to buy.
I'm so bummed.

I guess the one good thing is that the white smoke issue will be cleared up and it sounds like this needed to be done anyway, the timing belt thing may have just been a secondary issue...does that make sense to all of you?

any words of wisdom?
should I sell it after this?
He says I could get a brand new engine for $3, but then there are still all of the rest of the issues that can come up...I think it needs new shocks, and I know she needs new wheels.

I want my mommy!
Jan.

[amigo-2k]

4 cly or v6?

[amigo-2k]

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=545836

Seeing this other post I see you have an auto so you must have a v6.

I would be a little leary about this since this is a non-interfearance engine and the valves should not bend when the belt breaks.

[marcre]

yea, if you have the V6, you probably do not have the damage the mechanic stated. Go somewhere else.

[directory]

i hope jan reads this post before going back to the mechanic....


i have a feeling that she's being taken for a ride.

[Ramblin Fever]

Blowing white smoke can also be a sign of worn-out spark plugs - don't ask me how I know

If your timing was off, it'll make the engine run ragged, which can also cause white smoke, as not everything is burning efficiently, if you will.

The timing belt tensioner is a normal wear tear item on these 3.2L's, if it was not changed at the time of waterpump replacement, it's no surprize that it's failing now.

Word of wise for the future, when replacing waterpump, or timing belt, ALWAYS replace the waterpump, timing belt and tensioner at the same time, these can be labor intensive engines and it's just easier and offers peace of mind to do it all at once.

I've recently learned myself, that when a waterpump starts to fail, it can cause the tensioner to loosen and allow the belt to skip teeth. Mine did the same, but only by 1 tooth.

My engine was not damaged, and I truly don't believe your's is either. But, if the timing's off, it could lead one to believe there is serious damage, and word of wise, the timing belt tensioner, when it starts to fail, sounds like a rod knocking. Many mechanics mistake this for major engine failure.

[2eyefishclaw]

if its a 6 the knucklehead working on it is not aware of how the cam timing works

[Gizmo42]

White smoke and not holding compression sounds like head gaskets. I agree that it sounds like the mechanic doesnt know what he's doing or is a crook. Slipped t-belt will not damage valves. Maybe when it slipped it did something to cause the gaskets to go.

[amigo-2k]

Just an fyi: 2eyefishclaw is an Isuzu mechanic at a dealer (I'm happy to see him back here, since it has been a couple of months).

[wildlysmiley]

ok, for the blonde female in the room, difference between head gaskets and heads/valves is???
money wise??
repair wise???

I am wondering if these incidents are unrelated and coincidental.
The man who owns the car lot where this mechanic works is my neighbor and friend...he took me to the hospital when I was bitten by a copperhead snake and used to be a fireman/paramedic...he's a good guy, goes to church three times a week and has let my big inside dog sleep in his bed when I was out of town.
His mechanic is pretty in tune, from what I can tell, doesn't seem to be afraid to work on anything and has recently done quite a few of these head/valve jobs...I trust him, with a grain of salt.
There was one issue a year or so ago, when I knew that my gas mileage was off on a Saturn wagon I used to own, and he kind of poo-pooed it, and I took it to the more expensive import place in town (there is only one) and they found a wire had been chewed by a rodent, so I was right and it was a 10buck fix.
So, i am not completely trusting in him, but for the most part....I don't have many options...I have a feeling the other place would cost more and I have already told him to go on and do it.
ay carumba
this is why I think I need a less fussy auto...
after this, I will have about10k in this truck, that I can only sell for 5k, if I am patient
I wish i were handy with mechanics, but I am not, I have to dress up for work and this is just a bother
good news is, I have enough money to fix this issue...it will prolong my lack of a bathtub, but I can afford it

do you really think he doesn't know what he is doing????
thanks again guys!!
janaury

[wildlysmiley]

oh, and eyefishclaw
thanks for posting
glad you are back
when i was reading through some of the posts earlier
i saw why you left and how much everyone was missing your input
you made a wise and noble choice to return
namaste
january

[wildlysmiley]

I'm just thinking out loud now, cuz I have no idea what I am talking about
but
is it possible
that the timing belt went out
because the heads were damaged?
and forgive me for not knowing the difference between head gaskets and heads/valves
but it is the assumption of my mechanic that when the water pump was last changed the timing belt tensioner was not properly fastened ...because he found it to be loose
I am just pulling at straws here and hoping he knows what the $^$* he is doing, since I have put my trust in him!!!!
so humbly worried
i like to be in control of things
this is something I feel I have very little control over
trying to remain positive
january