Having ownership and DIY experience with the car known with the longest and most finicky timing belt system ever put on an engine (Porsche 928s4) for the last 14 years, I have read hundreds of timing belt failure stories and how exactly they happened, which part was to blame, all the signs to watch for, it is kind of an art you could say, just like anything else. This would probably make a good thread to put in the knowledge base for DIY reference.
Coming armed with all that experience, all the below symptoms are definite signs that you should stop driving your car until the TB system has been inspected and re-done.
Pop enough clips with a flat head screw driver to open up the TB cover, use a very bright flashlight (at least 100 lumens) to see down in the system better. Then also get under the engine and look at the TB cover drain hole for leaking fluids or a hole full of particles.
For instance, if the belt is off of its center on the cam and/or you find significant amounts of black rubber dust under the cover , that is a sign that one tb system component mounting bolt or part is either bent or worn beyond service life, and it is very near failure.
Dust or shavings of other compositions under the belt cover, such as plastic or metal should also be a definate warning sign to park the car until the TB system can be fully inspected and re-done.
Green drops or fluid coming out of the belt cover= Water pump bearing is at near the end of its service life.
The belt will often start losing rubber teeth or parts of them as it ages, and cracks are all signs. If it loses more than one tooth in a row, the belt could slip especially if its loose and as a consequence the car will run poorly, and then eventually the further slippage will cause the valves will hit the piston tops = Grab your ankles $$$$. Definately not something to dick around with, park it until you can get that belt system re-done!
The belt looks very glossy, a sign that heat from a failing bearing is causing the belt to glaze, also usually accompanied with a crack or few in the belt.
A new metallic noise in the engine compartment while idling or revving the engine, should be traced down in quickly to see where its coming from. It could be a bearing on it's last leg (or ball)!
All these things are what I look for, and if they do happen, I will park the car until it can be verified and repaired. Mainly because re-doing the head is a PITA and I have enough of those already to deal with! I hope this saves you all from some headaches and wallet pain!
I've gotten pretty good at catching them in pre-failure stage, I am starting to have delusions that I may be a TB Jedi Knight :lightsaber:
Any other inputs on looking for symptoms will help everyone and are appreciated!
Coming armed with all that experience, all the below symptoms are definite signs that you should stop driving your car until the TB system has been inspected and re-done.
Pop enough clips with a flat head screw driver to open up the TB cover, use a very bright flashlight (at least 100 lumens) to see down in the system better. Then also get under the engine and look at the TB cover drain hole for leaking fluids or a hole full of particles.
For instance, if the belt is off of its center on the cam and/or you find significant amounts of black rubber dust under the cover , that is a sign that one tb system component mounting bolt or part is either bent or worn beyond service life, and it is very near failure.
Dust or shavings of other compositions under the belt cover, such as plastic or metal should also be a definate warning sign to park the car until the TB system can be fully inspected and re-done.
Green drops or fluid coming out of the belt cover= Water pump bearing is at near the end of its service life.
The belt will often start losing rubber teeth or parts of them as it ages, and cracks are all signs. If it loses more than one tooth in a row, the belt could slip especially if its loose and as a consequence the car will run poorly, and then eventually the further slippage will cause the valves will hit the piston tops = Grab your ankles $$$$. Definately not something to dick around with, park it until you can get that belt system re-done!
The belt looks very glossy, a sign that heat from a failing bearing is causing the belt to glaze, also usually accompanied with a crack or few in the belt.
A new metallic noise in the engine compartment while idling or revving the engine, should be traced down in quickly to see where its coming from. It could be a bearing on it's last leg (or ball)!
All these things are what I look for, and if they do happen, I will park the car until it can be verified and repaired. Mainly because re-doing the head is a PITA and I have enough of those already to deal with! I hope this saves you all from some headaches and wallet pain!
I've gotten pretty good at catching them in pre-failure stage, I am starting to have delusions that I may be a TB Jedi Knight :lightsaber:
Any other inputs on looking for symptoms will help everyone and are appreciated!