Timing Belt Snapped!

[ston3r]

Hi guys,

Just a quick update. I took delivery of my car a week ago and was told by the car dealer that the previous owner had already taken care of the timing belt. Mileage of the car was 95k km.

So I took the car up to Ipoh for a weekend trip and while cruising along the North South expressway, the car just suddenly lost drive at 80km/h. I heard a clunk and the car just died immediately after that.

It was the worst day of my life. My wife was in the car and the highway was reduced to two lanes because of the construction work. There was no emergency lane and I had cars honking at me as they nearly hit me.

I could not get the car restarted as I suspected it could have either been timing belt, ECU, a jammed throttle body or a fuel pump failure. In the end I managed to get in touch with the car salesman who asked me to wait while he checked with his boss. At the same time, a tow truck operator came by and towed my car out from the highway as I didn't have an option on whether I should have it towed back to KL. He charged me RM 100.00 for that short distance to his workshop.

The salesman then called me back and informed me that they will arrange for a tow truck to to my car back to KL to have it checked out. It was really the longest day of my liife. I was stuck in Tanjung Malim and my wife wasn't too pleased with the whole situation at all. We were supposed to spend one night in Ipoh before heading up to Penang to attend her uni mate's wedding dinner.

I only reached KL at 6.40pm on Saturday and the car dealer had already arranged for a Hyundai Matrix as a loaner car. At that time I wasn't too sure if the car's timing belt had snapped.

I just got off the phone with the salesman, who informed me that the timing belt had indeed snapped. What I'm more interested to know is, if the 3S GE engine is an interference or non-initereference type engine?

 

[Z_Edition]

oh, man...sorry to hear that...by the way, how much would it cost to change the belt?

 

[ston3r]

actually I have no idea. The car dealer will be taking care of the charges. And they'd better, cause I sure would not appy for it. I doubt the dealer will let me know how much the charges would be.

 

[Greytezza]

It would be advisable for you to have the timing belt changed when it have reached 95K km.This is normally the time where all timing belt are quite worn out and normally luck would be a factor at this stage.
I faced the same prob years ago with my ford and the timing belt snapped just days b4 it was scheduled for a change...hehehe.
But the most important thing is that nothing bad happen during the incident but at least they did arranged for the car to be towed back and got you a loaner too...not bad.

 

[Lennon]

Snap timing belt can causes bent timing valve, scratched pistons and jammed oil pump.... Better get an aftermarket timing belt, if not it will be back to square one...

 

[Z_Edition]

what aftermarket belts are available for the Tezza? and normally how much?

 

[ston3r]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the replies. Yes, I was aware that timing belt needs to be changed at 80k km. I checked with the car dealer and they informed me that the previous owner had already changed it. Looks like they got it coming back to them. Right now, the car is in their workshop undergoing repairs and I am uncertain when it will be back. They told me should be within 1 or 2 days.

As for the after market belt, may I ask what brand of belt that would be? I'm thinking that once this timing belt is changed, I'm still going to take it to my own workshop to replace it again. I don't want to go through this hassle again. As for the bent valves, it should be safe as my engine rpm was literallly below 2,500 rpm when the belt snapped. Luckily for the roadworks, I was unable to open up the taps.

As far as damages go, I'll be sending the car for a full overhaul this weekend when I get it back. I'm gonna replace all replaceables, just to be safe. It was really a shocker.

 

[bushidofang]

bro.. its best to go back to Toyota's own timing belt for Tezza.. =D

 

[koolspyda]

as far as i know 3S GE engine is non-interference engine (as most yota engines).

 

[monsterezza]

go for hks fine tune timing belt :)

 

[bushidofang]

any diff ah monsterezza?

 

[stepwyew]

Hi guys,

Just a quick update. I took delivery of my car a week ago and was told by the car dealer that the previous owner had already taken care of the timing belt. Mileage of the car was 95k km.

So I took the car up to Ipoh for a weekend trip and while cruising along the North South expressway, the car just suddenly lost drive at 80km/h. I heard a clunk and the car just died immediately after that.

It was the worst day of my life. My wife was in the car and the highway was reduced to two lanes because of the construction work. There was no emergency lane and I had cars honking at me as they nearly hit me.

I could not get the car restarted as I suspected it could have either been timing belt, ECU, a jammed throttle body or a fuel pump failure. In the end I managed to get in touch with the car salesman who asked me to wait while he checked with his boss. At the same time, a tow truck operator came by and towed my car out from the highway as I didn't have an option on whether I should have it towed back to KL. He charged me RM 100.00 for that short distance to his workshop.

The salesman then called me back and informed me that they will arrange for a tow truck to to my car back to KL to have it checked out. It was really the longest day of my liife. I was stuck in Tanjung Malim and my wife wasn't too pleased with the whole situation at all. We were supposed to spend one night in Ipoh before heading up to Penang to attend her uni mate's wedding dinner.

I only reached KL at 6.40pm on Saturday and the car dealer had already arranged for a Hyundai Matrix as a loaner car. At that time I wasn't too sure if the car's timing belt had snapped.

I just got off the phone with the salesman, who informed me that the timing belt had indeed snapped. What I'm more interested to know is, if the 3S GE engine is an interference or non-initereference type engine?

Bro , honestly speaking , there are some parts related to timing belt need to change also ...like ideal bearing etc,etc,etc ..........Also u need to check your water pump wheather is there any leak cos it is located at the same area

 

[ston3r]

Actually, the 3SGE is an interference engine. The head gasket was damaged, so were a few valves. The seals were gone and had to be replaced. The damage cost RM 1,200.00 without labor.

Yes, agreed that the water pump and the bearings needs to be changed. It seems that the previous owner did change the timing belt as the bearings were still new. It's either the belt he used was a fake or it was poorly aligned. The water pump has no leaks, so it is safe for the time being. As for the bearings, they are confirmed to be good and will last.

The timing belt is an original Toyota and cost RM 395.00. Is that expensive? I'm not sure of the cost, but that was what that was quoted by the workshop. Since the dealer is forking out the money, I couldn't question much. The car's back in my hands now, it's running smoothly.

 

[mustang007]

yap!! u are right monstertezza..!!! so when can i change my tires and do the full services?? hehehhee...bro didnt pick up my call yesterday..so sad...

 

[JayDM]

ston3r,

That would have been some experience man, glad you got that settled.

Anyways, I doubt that a new timing belt would snap, something fishy here. Did you personally have a look at the belt/cam area when the mechanic opened the engine cover?

A top overhaul is a start since you said the bearings are still intact. Btw, the price for the genuine toyota belt is around the amount you mentioned.
To be safe, get it from Winghin or Trial.

Aftermarket belts cost anything between rm600-rm1000 (TRD,HKS..)
Dont see the nececcesity of using racing belts here

 

[bushidofang]

agreed. Toyota belts are sufficient.

PS: you're finally back here, Jay haha.

 

[hansc]

wow.....snapped belt......glad ur car and u r ok...... oni pocket hurt.....

think the price is quite decent for a toyota belt..... just changed mine last time...... cost me approx 1k for changing all the belts, bearings and the hydraulic tensioner.....

 

[ahyap]

Hiya GUys,

I am in the midst of acquiring a tezza & changing the timing belt would be the first thing on my to do list....A couple of quick questions which i hope you guys can help me with...

1. The timing belt of the car have not been changed before.. thus would be be an ordinary Toyota belt or would it be some TRD belt?

2. Where can i get it changed by a mechanic who is familiar with tezza & how much should i expect to pay for the whole job?

 

[bluedemon]

hi guys. just a quick one. what are the benefits of using aftermarket timing belts? do they last longer?

thanx

DemanG

 

[leofric32]

i changed my timing belt around 70k, dont want to wait. Some time ago, someone advise me that, you should not wait till the recommended mileage as when idle, you timing belt also running, meaning you should change it 20% before the specified mileage.

Moreover, a friend of mine just bought a recon Caldina with mileage 20k only. But the sales man, a good friend told us that they usually tweak the mileage, actual is about 60k plus.

Another good reason to change it even if you buy recon or second hand car. Unless there is proved that timing belt is changed prior to that.