Blown engine?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28
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From: Toronto, Canada
Blown engine?
So, on Thursday night I was pulling out of a driveway of a gas station and I felt a snap, then my car shut off and wouldn’t start back.
The engine tried to turn over but sounded very weak. So I called CAA and when they arrived the gentleman driving the truck seemed knowledgeable about cars and said he could tell if it was the timing belt by how it sounded when I tried to start it. So, I tried to start it and he concluded that it was the timing belt so I had it towed to a mechanic.
Today the called me back saying that “I need a new engine”. I was shocked and said how do I need a new engine, what happened? He then stated that “while running tests on the engine, it seized up, therefore there has to be something wrong inside the engine and I need to replace it.” I then asked him if indeed the timing belt had snapped and he said he doesn’t know because he hasn’t opened up the engine.
Now, something seems a little fishy here. I’ve heard of engines and valves being damaged when timing belts snap, but I was driving at less then 5 km/h when I heard the noise and it shut off. And, if the timing belt didn’t snap, could I just blow a motor like that?
Car is a 1997 Acura CL 2.2, has 208,000 km’s on the engine. I bought it used at around 200,000 km’s on it. Not sure if the timing belt was ever changed. (Now assuming it wasn’t)
The engine tried to turn over but sounded very weak. So I called CAA and when they arrived the gentleman driving the truck seemed knowledgeable about cars and said he could tell if it was the timing belt by how it sounded when I tried to start it. So, I tried to start it and he concluded that it was the timing belt so I had it towed to a mechanic.
Today the called me back saying that “I need a new engine”. I was shocked and said how do I need a new engine, what happened? He then stated that “while running tests on the engine, it seized up, therefore there has to be something wrong inside the engine and I need to replace it.” I then asked him if indeed the timing belt had snapped and he said he doesn’t know because he hasn’t opened up the engine.
Now, something seems a little fishy here. I’ve heard of engines and valves being damaged when timing belts snap, but I was driving at less then 5 km/h when I heard the noise and it shut off. And, if the timing belt didn’t snap, could I just blow a motor like that?
Car is a 1997 Acura CL 2.2, has 208,000 km’s on the engine. I bought it used at around 200,000 km’s on it. Not sure if the timing belt was ever changed. (Now assuming it wasn’t)
Lord Vader Moderator
Joined: May 1999
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From: Bay Area, CA
Why would they need to open up the engine to see if the timing belt was snapped? The belt is not inside the engine.....and this is your mechanic telling you this? Also, why would you need a new engine when he doesn't even know what is wrong with it? If he is a competent mechanic, he would open up the engnie and see what exact is wrong.... Find a new mechanic.
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Honda-Acura.net Vigor/TL/CL Forum Moderator.
Comptech Icebox, Headers, Exhaust, Lowering Springs and Sway Bars. Mugen front grille. Inspire tailamps. MOMO Sport 18 X 7.5 +42 offset. Axxis Metal Master front/rear pad. 2 Polk/MOMO 10" subs, Orion Xtreme 500.4 amplifier and Alpine CD changer.
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Great White North
Why would they need to open up the engine to see if the timing belt was snapped? The belt is not inside the engine.....and this is your mechanic telling you this? Also, why would you need a new engine when he doesn't even know what is wrong with it? If he is a competent mechanic, he would open up the engnie and see what exact is wrong.... Find a new mechanic.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28
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From: Toronto, Canada
I just asked him those questions....to which he responded...
He said he checked the timing belt and it didn't snap. And he actually got it started but the engine is knocking like crazy. He still hasn't opened it up to see what's wrong inside but he's 99.5% sure from experience that something is damaged inside that will cause me to get a new engine.
He said he checked the timing belt and it didn't snap. And he actually got it started but the engine is knocking like crazy. He still hasn't opened it up to see what's wrong inside but he's 99.5% sure from experience that something is damaged inside that will cause me to get a new engine.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28
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From: Toronto, Canada
Thats a good thought. I explained my situation to a mechanic just a minute ago and came to that same theory.
Said thats what they sell the timing belt kits with the tensioner...would also explain why the mechanic who has my car said that the timing belt hasn't snapped.
Said thats what they sell the timing belt kits with the tensioner...would also explain why the mechanic who has my car said that the timing belt hasn't snapped.
