hey can anyone tell me how can i tell if the timeing belt has snaped im trying to buy a non runing maxima but i want to know if its not the timeing belt that is broken.the guy told me he heard a bang under the hood while driveing could that be the timeing belt snaping???

 

easiest way i know is to take the distributor cap off and bump the starter a little

If it moves its alright if it don't......well.....

 

more than likely its the timing belt the bang was the valves nailing the pistons which means basically u need another motor u can find vgs for cheap so if the cars nice and ur some what of a home mechanic id go for it

 

Yes the bang most definately was a valve or two getting some hardcore action on with the piston. I don't think that it is worth it unless you can get the car for one fifty or less....that's a lot more than a salvage yard will give him.

 

Don't turn it over! It doesn't take very long to take the top timming cover off, just pull the cover and take a look! And yes, it is worth it to buy as long as you can get it for relativly cheap.

 

Most likely if it is broke the valves are already smashed......

 

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=417568 - Towards the end of this thread, I found out my timing belt snapped. And I didn't hear a bang when it happened.

 

YEAH!! and if they're not? you gonna take that chance?

 

Why not....It's not his car anyways......No need to yell about it....

And what do think this guy this guy did when he heard a "big bang" and the car died on him on the road......what anybody else would do....TRY TO RESTART IT.....

 

so if the motor is messed up bad do have to replace the whole motor couldent you just replace the head??

 

so if i'm reading some of these msgs right, if the timing belt *does* break on the VG30E... it causes your engine to smash to pieces right before your eyes? it doesnt just konk out or idle eratically or something simple? but complete destruction?

 

Yes IF: problem is only bent valves. Quite certainly one or more pistons have holes.

Engine out, explode and inspect. If cylinder surfaces ok, repair might be only 500$... with that, u might get whole workin car.

 

the vg30e is an interference motor. the valves and pistons are sooooo close that if the timing belt fails and some of the valves ar stuck open, they will get smashed when the piston comes around for it's exhaust stroke. the valves actually pop out into the cylinder a little when open.
if the bang was in fact the timing, cranking the key to find out won't hurt it, the damage is already done. if the bang wasn't the timing, cranking the key won't hurt either.

 

Even if it is broke, dont worry about it. Walk into any junkyard and you will have VGs ambushing you from every direction, begging to be taken hime. Like at a pet store. Seriously, they put this engine in just about everything for a good 10+ years.

 

Also, very fast cranking is a good sign.

 

and what if the timeing belt jumps teeth what happens there???

 

Usually backfiring through the throttle body,no power,hard starting,etc.


That is for a one or two tooth jump.....More than that....not sure.

 

just take the timing belt cover off.....you only have to take the top off and tug on the belt....its worth a shot

 

what motor came with a timing chain?

 

92-94 se dohc engines have the chain...89-94 gxe's have the belt....89-91 se has the belt...

 

Only the 92-94 SEs had the VE30DE which has the timing cain. All other se's and gxe have the VG

~Alex

 

instead of bumping the starter...get a wrench on the crank and turn that instead and watch the dist rotor. (if you're THAT worried about the starter doing any damage)

 

My 89 max cut off on me last night.. so let's make this fun..

200k miles
going up hill and sounded like a carb back fire (without spark) or something (that's just what it sounded like, I know it's F.I.)
engine would turn but not fire up, battery stayed good. Only tried to start it about 3 or 4 times.

so having no light, no tools, and sprint roadside assistance.. no brainer.. tow it home ($6) and have a look at it today.

okay so who wants to test their knowledge... (or take a guess )
and see who's right, and can predict what the problem turns out to be?


Ahhhh let the "is it spark or is it fuel" investigation begin..

 

The info in this thread,the steps to take to find out if it is the t belt is all above......^^^^^^^^^^^^Good luck..

Start with this..http://forums.maxima.org/showpost.ph...41&postcount=2

 

$6 for a tow home? is that a $6 roadside assistance, insurance deductible? i have RSA on on my policy which is about $5 a month, but i'd be happy to drop it if i could get $6 tows only when i need them.

 

It's $4 a month, which covers the hook up fee and the first 3 miles. I wasn't too far from home, a couple of exits up on the interstate, so after sprint took care of that, I had $6 left over charged to me.

But I still love this road side assistance deal.. For $4 a month (4x12=36 anually), I get 4 free "hookups" and first 3 miles for each one. So far I've used 3 this year, now.
used it twice on my old 86 e150. So it really pays for itself with the first usage. woohoo!

 

oh and around here, hookups usually cost $75.. you could get lucky and find one for $40.. so it really does pay for itself.

 

took off the dist cap. rotor did not turn. ugh! welp.. i'm either in the market for a 92-94 se dohc engine, or about to put the car on ebay. I have burgandy leather seats if anyone is interested. that sux. oh well. better close to home than on the road.

 

There is a vg motor on ebay right now for $400......

 

Not sure. I think it's an 89 gxe. has sun roof, no spoiler, drum rear brakes. I guess i'll pop the hood and check. thanks for the ebay check.

 

just drop a junk yard motor in it.....you can get it cheap enough and you need no shipping..

 

Go for the DOHC.. It's nice. Ate a 4th gen for dinner a few minutes ago. How much you plannin on putting the car up on Ebay for? My timing belt also snapped awhile ago, and lookin to get rid of the car for some pocket cash. Bodys real beat up though, so thats what makes it a bit harder. How much you plannin on given it up for?

 

Hmm maybe I will drop a JY motor in it. I was thinking of putting it on ebay for like $400. Tranny is good and it has leather seats. glass and doors are good too.. but I might just drop a jy motor in it.. sounds like a plan..

 

If the car looked and ran good before the incident, Im sure you should be asking more then $400 for it. My starting price will probably be $300. Or just drop another VG in there. If you still wanna keep the car that is.