Hi
T belt should be replaced at60K. Does engine seem to turn over a little faster? if yes check to see if T belt is turning. Try spraying some carb cleaner into throttle body see if it fires.
Let me know
Thanks for donate

Answered by Docfixit (expert)
18,443 answers provided

It does seem to be turning over pretty fast, but I figured it was because there was no fuel to ignite. Is it maybe a lack of compression, hence the timing belt?

I tried the starting fluid in the intake and it didn't do anything. I will check the timing belt. Can I just try to look behind the plastic housing while someone cranks the engine?

Does this vehicle have any engine start lockouts like low fluids or perhaps something to do with the factory installed alarm system? Would a bad sensor or emission issue prevent it from even trying to start?

Thanks, Randy

Response from Randy Wallis
1 question asked

Pretty sure you will find T belt to be problem

Answered by Docfixit (expert)
18,443 answers provided

Hey Bob, Ken and the crew, you were right on. I got the covers off and sure enough I should have changed that timing belt some miles ago. Several teeth are missing and the belt doesn't move at all. Neither cam shaft turned, but the crank did and so the pistons surely were moving as well.

My question now is how can I tell if there might be valve damage. I had tried to start the car several times, but of course it didn't even try to start so only the starter turned the engine over. It was running just fine the night before when I shut it off, it didn't die or anything so the RPMs were minimal what ever the starter turns over at.

Do you think I should just replace the belt and water pump and hope that the valves are okay?. I'm guessing that short of removing the heads there is no other way to to know? Maybe the clearance is such that the piston doesn't go up high enough to touch the valves anyway? Also does this vehicle have intake valves since it is fuel injected or just exhaust valves?

Thanks for you help,
Randy

Response from Randy Wallis
1 question asked

Hi
Engine is NOT an interference so valve damage should not have occured. Yes engine has intake and exhaust valves and water pump replacement is good to do at this time. Sending Timing marks

Answered by Docfixit (expert)
18,443 answers provided

I have the 3.2L SOHC and the timing marks are basically diametrically opposed. This diagram looks like the DOHC. and the information I have seems to indicate that it is an interference engine.

I think my best bet at this time is to reassemble with the new timing belt and see what happens. I have replaced the water pump and am doing the work myself. I will replace the timing belt and "give it a whirl"

The belt I have has hash marks for the cams and it has a dotted hash mark that appears to be for the crankshaft, but in order to align the dots with the crank I have to reverse the belt and the writing is backwards, (right to left instead of left to right) The cams seem to line up with the marks either way.

Does it matter which way the belt is facing as long as everything is lined up correctly? Or is the belt direction oriented for some reason?

Thanks again for all your help, you've been great. I recommend this site to my friends and you can bet I will consult you before "changing unnecessary parts."

Response from Randy Wallis
1 question asked

Marks for SOHC

Answered by Docfixit (expert)
18,443 answers provided