My college student son drives a 1991 Max SE 5-speed. Monday he drove it home for lunch and when he came back out, it started, but made awful top end knocking racket. It would not rev up and soon died. It can be restarted whenever I want, with the same results. I fear that we have slipped a timing belt. I bought the car last summer with the typical assurances about its repair history..... Since I have put in a new clutch, brakes, etc, I am reluctant to ditch it.

Any other thoughts about what may be up?

Also, has anyone ever recovered from a slipped/broken timing belt? I'd hate to go to the effort of replacing the timing belt just to find I have to replace the engine when I find bent valves.

I have access to a low mileage 1993 engine from a reputable friend of a friend for $250. What to do?? I haven't swapped an engine since a 1970 Mustang. How long for an old mechanic to swap the engine??

Sorry to be so long-winded and thanks for the help.

Kim

 

I would aleast take the t-belt cover off and inspect the belt for missing teeth before swapping out the motor...But it does sound to me like a slipped belt though....

If you have swapped a motor before then then it will not be too hard for you...Just more wiring harnesses to plug back....

 

and if u decide to swap the motor in...i would do the timing belt and water pump while it's out of the car....otherwise u're looking a gift horse in the mouth and just asking for trouble - again

 

how mechicanically inclined are you? doing a front wheel drive is a heck of a lot different than rear wheel drive. go for it otherwise. just have a good service manual handy when you encounter something you're not sure about.

 

More news from this morning's tests:

The front cylinders have ~90 psi compression and the rears have ~160. I am inclined to change the timing belt and see...... I'll have to have one for the replacement engine anyway. It's just that this takes 4 hours of my life that may be for nothing......

 

it takes 4 hours moving fast, it took me like 7-8 the

 

just swap the motor.
if you have low compression then chances are there are bent valves

 

ive got 125 psi to all of my cylenders,

 

For those of you that read this thread, here's the latest.

I managed to get everything disassembled to look at the timing belt. The tensioner was virtually non-existant. There was a bolt holding it on, surrounded by the surface the belt rides on, but NOTHING between. I tried to manually rotate the engine with the pulley bolt (to align the paint marks) and only the crankshaft turned, since the belt was so loose. I'm going to put a new belt and tensioner and check compression. Keep your fingers crossed.

Replace your tensioner when you replace your belt. My belt looks great, but a previous owner saved $35 and probably has cost me several hundred.

 

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Last post:

I replaced the timing belt and tensioner. The car started right up and has 150+ compression on all cylinders. I'm on my way to buy a water pump and thermostat.

Rather be lucky than good.......

 

you did get the front and rear heads the same cam timing right? One may not be a tooth advanced or retarted..

~Alex

 

I aligned all the marks....