broke timing belt-valve damage? - Ford Forums

BIG "O" · 08-25-2004, 09:45

Hi Guys-
I posted this on the tech section also. The timing belt broke on my 1988 escort 1.9. I was going 10-15MPH when it broke. It has 43K and is in great shape. Do you think there is valve damage or can I get away with just changing the belts and water pump?
THANKS
BIG "O"

mr_mkII · 08-26-2004, 04:35

only one way to find out bro...... and thats to either pull it apart and see or replace the belt and take it for a test drive :D

TEguy · 08-26-2004, 07:39

Short answer: YES!
Long answer: Yes definately damaged valves! ...or at least one of them.
I dont know how much you know about engines, so I'm gonna assume you dont know much. Are you sure the timing belt is broken? It usially doesnt happen at 15 MPH. The car has done very low k's to have a broken timing belt. Anyway if the timing belt is broken that means the camshaft has stopped rotating and the pistons have continued until one of them hit a valve which has not closed. The reason the valve has not closed is because the cam shaft had stopped. So not only the valve is damaged but the piston also. There could be damage to the head and the cylinder as well. You can not simply put a new timing belt on and start the thing couse the timing has been changed. You MUST rotate the camshaft to the correct angle if the car is ever going to start again.
But again why are you sure it is the timing belt?
try this to check: Put the car in top gear and try rolling it, you should be able to push it along and rotate the engine as you go, unless something jams, if it jams then you have a broken timing belt and broken valve, damaged piston, etc.

mr_mkII · 08-27-2004, 07:24

m friend broke his timing belt but his broke just as he was stopping, his mechanic saidhe was lucky to not have broken anything, and he got his fixed, and its running prefectly, but like i said he had just basically stopped and you were going 15mph so.....

btw its not hard to know if your timing belt broke, just pop the hood and itll smack ya in da face lol (not literally though)

BIG "O" · 09-13-2004, 23:17

Took a chance and replaced the timing belt. Car runs great. got lucky I guess. Cost me $110 to have it done. Belt cost $9

tx3dude · 09-17-2004, 01:48

that could have been alot lot worse... your lucky!!