Rough idling and low power after replacing timing belt?

Tiny
KAY:)
  • MEMBER
  • 1990 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 213,000 MILES
Hi guys. First, thank you for this great service! This is the first mechanical job I've done, and it has been an emotional rollercoaster. So, I have the car listed above and I love her. But one day, unexpectedly, riding along the highway, she shuts off. The engine would turn over just fine but wouldn't fire. After days of checking this and that, I came to the realization that the timing belt had probably broken.

I removed the casing and sure enough, the problem was the timing belt, but it had been stripped of its teeth at the tensioner pulley rather than breaking. (Don't know if that is relevant). I ordered the Timing Kit, with the tensioner pulley and the other pulley. Got my marks in line, got the hole on the big sprocket lined up with the groove, checked it 17 times, and started her up. I was so proud and happy, like Christmas morning.

Everything seemed to be going okay other than the fact that I had very low power while going uphill. Then, I noticed she was getting hot. The day after I installed the new belt and kit, I drove approximately thirty miles and it was fine as long as I was moving, but when I sat still, she would get hot, quick. Then, on the third day, I had driven her about 10 miles, and she shut off. I waited a few minutes and she started right back up. However, along my route home (about 20 miles) she started to knock harder as I drove along. I kept my speed at about 35 MPH. I made I home but when I start her up, she isles pretty rough, and I'm scared to drive her even to a shop.

Any suggestions? I very much appreciate your time and professional advice. Being a young female, I would love to brag that I did this right but it isn't looking so good.
Sunday, September 11th, 2022 AT 9:51 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,882 POSTS
Yep, can you please shoot a quick video with your phone so I can hear the noise of the engine? That way I can tell for sure what's going on. You can upload it here with your response. Also, when it is overheating can you hear the cooling fan running?

These guides may help us:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-overheating-or-running-hot

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-noises

Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.

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Monday, September 12th, 2022 AT 11:50 AM

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