Broken timing belt on 91 G20

[redmanfx]

I now have a 91 G20 with a broken timing belt. I was told that this could lead to bent valves. Is this true? How hard to fix and is it worth it for a 159,000 SR20DE?

Before today I've never even seen a G20. Didn't even know Infiniti had a 4 Cyl.

red

[driverdriver]

I thought G20's came with a timing chain, not a belt?

[redmanfx]

A mechanic from the State DOT gave it to me and he said it was a belt. Gosh, I hope he wasn't wrong....what would that say about NC..

He knows I'm into Infiniti's so he thought I could do something with it. Of course I know nothing about the G20....

red

[DAEDALUS]

According to Joe's parts site they have chains. Still could be a broken chain maybe.

[driverdriver]

Do g20's have a serpentine belt that drive other accessories?

[erikbronx]

G20's don't use timing belts. You can also ask any Infiniti dealer around, and im sure they will tell u they never heard or seen the g20's chains pop.

Go to another mechanic if anything... You got the wrong advice. I been on the G20.net forum for almost three years, and never heard anyone complain about bent valves. You can throw in a jdm engine for around 500$ easy. My old sr20 engine last well over 200,000 miles until I blew it.

Good Luck!

[erikbronx]

I use two Gates belts to drive my accessories(wp,ps), which both attaches straight to the crank pulley etc..
Modified by erikbronx at 10:45 PM 1/1/2005

[redmanfx]

Thanks. I did find out it's a chain and not a belt. I'll have to tear into what's up with the car. I'll check out the G20.net for more info on this car. $500 for an engine is cheap...

red

[redmanfx]

Today I had a few minutes and tried to start the car. The car whined a little bit then it sounded to me as if it wasn't getting compression. The car wouldn't start, but I didn't have alot of time either. Thursday, I'll have some time to check it out and was wondering if anyone could give me something to look for?

red

[Sco0terzsl]

It is my understanding that the sr20 is a non-interference motor so you don't have to worry about the pistons slapping the valves if your chain actually has broken, that is what I have found after searching g20.net. Get a compression test too find out if the motor is shot... then buy a det

[BTLines]

About once every year and a half or so my G20 won't start, and when I crank it it sounds like it's lost all compression, just like a broken timing chain/belt. Turns out it was flooded. Only thing I could do to get it started was to open the airbox, spray a ton of starting fluid into the f.i. inlet, crank the motor, and repeat until the car finally started. Afterward, the car displayed no ill effects whatsoever. Not sure why this happens, especially since it happens so infrequently, like 3 times in the 6 years I've had it. But $1.89 for a can of starting fluid beat the hell out of a tow bill and who knows how much in mechanic's diagnostic charges.

Give it a try. Hope you got this in time!

Mike

[redmanfx]

I've been tearing the car apart and Thur my friend and I are going to try to start it again. Then we're pulling the moter out and I'm going to school on a sr20de. $1.50 for a can is what we talked about as well. I forgot that the fuel pump might not be working too. How about that for a stopper!!

Thanks for your tips. red

[BTLines]

BTW, forgot to mention that it took me like 10-15 minutes of spraying and cranking to get it fired up the last time this happened. Just so you have a yardstick of how long you might want to perservere. I also used almost half a can of starting fluid in the process.Good Luck!

[redmanfx]

HA!!! I got the puppy started today! Kept the pedal to the floor and held a continual crank until it turned over.. It runs rough, but it ran..Now I can sell it as a core engine for $200.. I know it works.

red

[BTLines]

Right on, man! I wasn't aware you were planning to toss the engine whether it ran or not, but hey, if it'll net you a few more bucks because it runs, where's the pain?

BTW, I know it's a little too late now, but it occurred to me that you can see the intake cam turning if you remove the oil filler cap and have someone else crank the engine. Then you can know for sure whether or not you have a broken timing chain.

Oh, well, maybe someone else will benefit from that tidbit down the road.