Died and won't start

[25Horseplay]

If the belt broke your distributor won't turn. So you would not have spark. It isn't real hard to do if you buy a manual.

[therris]

Got the manual so I'll look into it. But shouldn't I still get a spark from the coil even if the timing belt is shot?

[roycehof]

Nope - You won't get a spark if the belt is broken. You might get one if the belt jumped a couple of teeth. It isn't too hard to remove the top belt cover and look inside (the cover won't come completely off (I think the water pump pulley prevents it complet removal). That would at least allow you to see the condition of the belt.

[therris]

Progress is being made. I checked to see if the distributor rotor turned during cranking and it didn't. So I removed the timing belt cover bolts to peek down in there looking for a loose belt. I saw the belt, reached in to pull it out (assuming it was broke), and the camshaft sprocket fell off the spindle and down into the cover. I guess the bolt through the sprocket just snapped.

So now I'm trying to figure out what all I should think about replacing with new parts since I'm going to have to pull so much off anyway. I'm going to go ahead out a new timing belt on it. I think I heard that I should go ahead and replace the water pump. And I also heard that the oil pan gasket is easy to get to when replacing the timing belt. Is that true?

Any suggestions on this would be great. Thanks for everyones help.

[m715]

Just pull the other 2 bolts holding the top timng cover out and give it a yank to pull it up and out of your way. Another cam gear and you may be back in business. Just changed on on an 88LX last week like that. Bolt backed off and tore the cam gear up, but that was all it needed other than a new belt. Not a real hard fix.
Michael
4 1989, 1 1988, 1 1990 festivas
Michael

[freshtiva]

I wouldnt change the oil pan gasket unless its leaking. Its hard to get it sealed back up. I did one three times once before I got it right. Glad you found the problem anyway.