Timing belt problems

**sneekz206** · 09-18-2008 02:21 PM

Ok so i just got my timing belt replace and now its not giving any compressions.. What can be the problem here?

**crono35** · 09-18-2008 02:22 PM

you have no compression on your cylinders anymore??

Some clarifications are in order here, I believe.

**sneekz206** · 09-18-2008 02:33 PM

I dont really know much about it my friend is working on it and said there isnt enough compression for the whole timing belt to start up..

**crono35** · 09-18-2008 02:48 PM

usually if your compression is that low, it wouldn't have started before the timing belt change. Changing the timing belt shouldn't affect the compression.

Did something happen that required you to change it, or was it running fine before the change?

**sneekz206** · 09-18-2008 02:52 PM

Timing belt broke off parking the car so it needed replacement. Cam shafts and gears are still good.

**crono35** · 09-18-2008 03:02 PM

gotcha.

Usually when a timing belt breaks, the parts in danger are the pistons and valves - they tend to want to make intimate contact afterwards. Did you hear any metal-on-metal sounds after it broke? If you're lucky, since you were only parking the car, no damage was done.

First thing I would do is have a compression test done and go from there.

**Nebone** · 09-18-2008 03:09 PM

You have bent valves. Head has to come off and hopefully the pistons and walls are not damaged.

The valves will bend even if the car was at idle.

**sneekz206** · 09-18-2008 03:18 PM

Yea, i'll go check with my friend and see.. What kind of valves are you talking about?

**crono35** · 09-18-2008 03:26 PM

intake/exhaust valves... as far as I can see, the only reason you would lose compression is if a valve was bent. Once that happens they can no longer seal properly and the cylinders won't hold compression.

what I would do now is to try and find a remanufatured head. I got mine for around $800 shipped, with brand new valves, timing chain, tensioner, cams etc. It'll be cheaper just to get the bent valves replaced, but once the head comes out I personally thing it's worth the peace of mind to know that everything in the head is now new.

It just kind of sucks that your friend put everything back together already... once you're in the position to get the timing belt changed, you're halfway to having your head off already.

**crono35** · 09-18-2008 03:34 PM

for a more visual explanation, look here:

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/engine1.htm

see how the pistons and valves are timed to avoid each other? Once your timing belt breaks, the valves are no longer opening and closing in time with the stroke of the piston. This means it's possible for the valves to be open when the piston is in the up position, which is where they make contact and piston/valve damage is done.