Distributor does not rotate - 93 Pathfinder VG30E - Timing belt failed?

[californiak]

So, I am cruising on fwy at 60MPH and it just died, towed home, try to find out what is wrong...I am affraid to ask.

I discovered the rotor/shaft of the distributor is not turning. The question I have is if the timing belt fails does the disrtibutor shaft stops rotating? I hope not but is there some hope that is just worned our geat on the shaft or broken shaft and if so how would I find out with as little dismantling as possible.

Also if it is failed timing belt what is the fastest way to confirm this and what damage is certain, bent valves, head damage and what kind and/or piston damage. Is there a "lucky" scenario where just heads and valves are damaged?

Thanks

[SnowSurfLax]

As far as I know, the only possible lucky scenario is if the timing belt died exactly on TDC for piston 1. (but I coudl be wrong)

If you think the timing belt failed, DO NOT CRANK THE ENGINE!

Most likely, if the timing belt failed, you'd know, as the sound of valves and pistons chewing each other up is a rather ugly one.

If the dizzy doesn't rotate adn you tried starting it, it couldn't be the timing belt as it wouldn't crank over. Most likely something wrong with the dizzy.

Again, If you think the timing belt failed, DO NOT CRANK THE ENGINE!

I need a hand to help you diagnose the actual problem. Any other details you can provide would be great.

[Buzzman]

First thing I would try to find out is if the VG30E engine is an interference engine or not (I don't know). Not all engines will self destruct if the timing belt/chain breaks. Maybe someone here knows? Anyone?

[californiak]

I think VG30E is interference engine. Anyone here can confirm for sure? I do not want to spent a whole lot of time to take stuff apart if I am going to junk the car. They sell for about 2-3K so to spent 20-30 hours + $600-1000 to fix it makes no sense. But maybe I just take the hour to remove all the stuff from front and take a look. Put new belt on and give it few turns and see.

Real bummer is I have the water pump and timing belt in back of the car for 2 months and I was just waiting for better weather. Bummer fer sure...

[pathfinder_top_gear5]

I think VG30E is interference engine. Anyone here can confirm for sure? I do not want to spent a whole lot of time to take stuff apart if I am going to junk the car. They sell for about 2-3K so to spent 20-30 hours + $600-1000 to fix it makes no sense. But maybe I just take the hour to remove all the stuff from front and take a look. Put new belt on and give it few turns and see.

Real bummer is I have the water pump and timing belt in back of the car for 2 months and I was just waiting for better weather. Bummer fer sure...

change the timing belt asap. If you crank the engine, then say goodbye it. Good idea to change the water pump at the same time

[SnowSurfLax]

Yes, VG30E is an interference engine.

Yes, don't spend money on an engine fix if the car isn't worth much more.

Have a mechanic inspect it, tell them what you think happened. Don't authorize any work that will cost you money unless you decide to get it fixed and not junk it.

[californiak]

change the timing belt asap. If you crank the engine, then say goodbye it. Good idea to change the water pump at the same time

Since this happened at 60MPH and it took few seconds to realize whats going on I am pretty sure the engine cycled at least 50 times before I disengaged the clutch. Beside I tried to restart it by releasing clutch in gear few times while coasting down hill. The damage is definitely done if it is interference engine, there is no magical position in rotation if the belt fails not to damage the valves. Simple math 3000RPMs divide by 60(sec) = 50 rotations per second. I don't have to worry about cranking her up no more. And I tried many times, thats how I discovered that the rotor is not turning. The thing is I didn't hear any big bang sound when it originally happened.Maybe the stereo and background traffic noise killed the valve hammering noise.

[SnowSurfLax]

Did you pull the dizzy? Does it look like the teeth are worn down?

Might just need a new dizzy.

[tmorgan4]

Since this happened at 60MPH and it took few seconds to realize whats going on I am pretty sure the engine cycled at least 50 times before I disengaged the clutch. Beside I tried to restart it by releasing clutch in gear few times while coasting down hill. The damage is definitely done if it is interference engine, there is no magical position in rotation if the belt fails not to damage the valves. Simple math 3000RPMs divide by 60(sec) = 50 rotations per second. I don't have to worry about cranking her up no more. And I tried many times, thats how I discovered that the rotor is not turning. The thing is I didn't hear any big bang sound when it originally happened.Maybe the stereo and background traffic noise killed the valve hammering noise.

When you turn it over now, is it making any sounds that make you think the valves are damaged? I've got a spare distributor if you need one, but I think your problem might lay deeper. Do what was suggested above and pull the distributor out and see what the gear looks like.

[californiak]

Thats the thing, it does not sound like there is anything wrong, no banging sound. Just wont start and distributor is not rotating. I will take the front apart when my back is better, (back snapped today-old ski problem, LOL) since I need to replace the water pump (dripping) and then I will see if it is the belt. If the belt did not snap and is OK I will still replace it. If it is just worned out gears on dist I may take u up on your offer - Thanks

Will know for sure in a week or so...

[Buzzman]

Quick story and a suggestion. I blew a timing belt on my '88 Grand Voyager minivan a few years back, while freeway driving. It had the 3 litre V6. Had over 200,000 Kms. at the time. Thankfully it was not an interference engine, and I fixed it, along with an old oil leak, for $600.00. I ran that van up to 400,000 kms before selling it. The only Chrysler product I ever liked. My suggestion is this: remove one of the valve covers and crank the engine and see what's going on. You should be able to tell quickly enough if there is any damage, or if the valve train is even moving. Keep us informed.

[SnowSurfLax]

If it will turn over and not start, then everything is fine. I'm assuming you can tell if it's not getting any spark. If you can smell fuel in the throttle, then it's most likely the dizzy.

If you're going to replace the water pump, just have the timing belt done anyway. It's basically a $25 part and all the labor is done with the water pump anyway.

As for the minivan, if I remember correctly, those things had a japanese engine, mitsubishi to be exact. That's why it lasted so long.

[Buzzman]

As for the minivan, if I remember correctly, those things had a Japanese engine, Mitsubishi to be exact. That's why it lasted so long.

Exactly right. That's why I bought it (new) in the first place. I had 2 kids in hockey at the time, and waited until the extended Voyager with the V6 came out. There was nothing else like it back then. I loved it. Drove it for 12 years. Too bad the transmission wasn't Japanese though.

[03Chillinkoot]

As for the minivan, if I remember correctly, those things had a japanese engine, mitsubishi to be exact. That's why it lasted so long.

Those mistsubishi engines were bulletproof, I remember when I worked at a chrysler when those old caravans came in the 3.3 and 3.8's always sounded like crap, notorious for mad valve ticking but the 3.0 always ran great!

[californiak]

Finally had time to take front of and indeed it's a broken timing belt. I am ordering rebuilt heads and getting psychologically ready for the job. I am waiting for dealer service manual that I bought last week on Ebay but I still may need some help in future. Thanks.

BTW since crank rotates 2 times to cam one rotation if I line up the cam marks (distributor rotor pointing to #1 wire) does it matter what rotation of crank am I on (#1 piston up and crank pulley at TDC mark). Is there a crank sensor on crankshaft somewhere that I need to worry about? Thanks

[SnowSurfLax]

Get your block and pistons inspected. If it nailed a valve, you could have some major scoring to get bored out.

Actually, if you're just going to redo it yourself, you might want to look into turning it into a VG34. I've got some info on it if you're interested. I saved the website that had it, but it's no longer up, so I'd have to send you a zip file with all the information. It's worth a read if you're going to tackle that much of a project.

The whole thing was done on a 93 pathfinder. I'm a little jealous now that I think of it. I'd love to be in your position and looking to rebuild an engine. Though not jealous of having my car crapped out.

[californiak]

I am way outside of my comfort zone just doing the head job, last time I worked on heads was 19 years ago and my memory is not that stable at this time. Just hoping to get this done right.

If there is any visible damage to the block or pistons I will scrap the car.

I know my limitations

[SnowSurfLax]

In my experience, dealing with the timing and heads is harder than fiddling with the lower end of the block. Installing pistons and crankshafts is easy compared to trying to line camshafts and set the timing, etc.

But hey, know your limitations.