Ok I have a 1993 camry 4cyl. That the timing belt popped. It has been sitting for about 6mos now and I need to do something with it. I want to know if the car is worth timing replacement. Is there any write-ups as to what to check for in the motor to see if the motor is too for gone or fixable? Cost effective is what I am getting at, because if the motor is shot, it will be cheaper just buy another motor. Also, if everything checks out I need a write up on how to change the timing belt and waterpump. Thanks!

 

I would ask a friend or someone who knows a good mechanic! Years ago I meet a good mechanic while waiting for an oil change and asked if he did work on the side. It was for a 1990 Ford Escort that was sitting in my garage that I too broke the timing belt. I bought the parts he needed and did the work on his own schedule ($200.00 I believe). He will need to see if the cylinder head has no damages, gasket leaks, etc. Ask around, you may need to buy the parts yourself and just pay for labor. It still is better and cheaper than shelling out a couple of thousand dollars to buy another car. Good Luck!

 

I think I will be able to fix it however I need to know what to look for the see if the cylinders and cams are still in spec before I proceed. I have gone the route of getting a mech but they are so full of it around here. They all get pissed because i will not let them work on my other cars and refuse to work on my cam. I just need an idea of what to look for.

 

The 2.0 3sfe is an interference engine, vales have hit pistons. You should pull the head off and if no damage is seen to the pistons go find a new head, a rebuilt possibly, or if you want a little more performance put a 3sge head on( the3sge heads were performance built while the 3sfe heads were made for gas milage. Them get yourself a new head gasket, timing belt and have a shop put it together, also have them adjust valve clearance. Im not sure on that head compatability but this is your best bet if the pistons are ok.

 

I know this sounds crazy but how does one tell if the pistons are good and the valves are not bent? Pics or write ups? Thanks guys

 

Pull off the valve cover and determine as best as possible if the valve stem positions look OK. A bend valve would not retract fully into the head.

Start checking valve clearances. By removing the timing belt you should be able to rotate the cam pulley.

To clear the pistons out of the way of the valves when checking clearances rotate the crank pulley slowly so it is not at the 0 degree timing mark OR 180 degrees opposite of this mark. The pistons move in pairs, think the 2 outer ones are at TDC when the 2 inner ones are at the bottom of the stroke.

There is much debate if the 3S-FE is interference or not. Never heard or seen a 3S-FE damaged when a belt broke but never know.

 

Im 100% positive the 3sfe is an interference engine. Compression ratio 9.3/1 , pistons have big cutouts for the valves and in my automotve classes at a local college we use a thousand dollar software programs for tons of cars and the camry is listed as interference.

 

Ok thanks I will do that, however what do you mean by interference?

 

when the timing belt breaks on an interference engine, valves and pistons come into contact and valves are usually bent. this is otherwise known as non freewheeling

 

still confuse, is it the way it looks or you need to test it to make sure?