My parents borrowed my wagon(2wd 3at) and it broke down on them. Apparently as they were driving on the highway it shook and then just died. No engine, no electrical. So they got it towed home and the tow truck driver said he thought it was the timing belt. Does a EA82 engine have a timing belt? Any way when they got it home I tried to jump it and the car tries to start but i get nothing from the engine. The starter and alternator make some noise but the engine doesn't turn at all. Any ideas what the problem is?

 

Ok, it seems that I just need to explain better. What happens is that when you turn the key the alternator starts to turn and all belts turn. The starter also clicks. But as far as I can tell the engine does not fire. It also makes a noise thats kinda wierd after you turn the key back to off, it sounds like an electric motor spinning. I took some video/sound so maybe that will help.

 

http://s57.photobucket.com/albums/g225/zw01101001/?action=view&current=HPIM0755.flv

Does a EA82 engine have a timing belt? Yes, two of them, if it did break it will NOT cause any engine damage like other engines:cool:

 

Any way when they got it home I tried to jump it and the car tries to start but i get nothing from the engine. The starter and alternator make some noise but the engine doesn't turn at all. So does the engine crank over?????

Any ideas what the problem is?

If not... then not good, if it cranks over but no start pull the cap off the distributor.. if the rotor inside doesn't turn it is your drivers side belt which seems to fail first. Front little inspection plug on the passengers side of the timing belt cover can be removed and stick a finger in there and see if the other belt is tight.. it could have also jumped a tooth or two...

there are inspection holes in the timing belt covers, if you can find them. I threw my timing belt covers away a long time ago so I cannot tell you where, but I know they exist..

 

Also, the distributor is turned by the driver's side camshaft. If you take the disty cap off, and turn the engine over, the rotor should turn.. if not, the drivers side timing belt is blown. You can also remove a spark plugs from the motor and plug each hole in one side with your finger, and have someone turn the crankshaft with a socket on the front pulley.. if you feel a compression pulse on both of them, then your timing belts are OK. Both sets of valves couldnt be stuck closed at the same time, could they?

 

The best way to check is the inspection covers. The disty is easy to check, but it only tells you one side is OK or not. if it fails the disty test, then great, you know what the problem is.. but passing the disty test only means the one is good, the other might be bad.

 

EDIT

 

Well gee, no one had replied when I started typing..and my response was a muddled up, more confusing version of what indrid cold said. I was just trying to be helpful

All good info from Indrid

 

to add

Does a EA82 engine have a timing belt?

 

As Indrid says and it has two belts actually.

 

As Indrid says about the distributor

 

but also check the screw that holds the rotor.

I tried to jump it and the car tries to start??? Check for spark, do you know how?

If no spark check the ignition fuse.

 

but i get nothing from the engine. ???

 

The starter and alternator make some noise but the engine doesn't turn at all.????????

 

Please rephase this.

yep, sounds like a timing belt. Also note that the belt can strip some teeth so it's worthless, but is still in one piece and can feel fine from the inspection hole.

 

Click on the "USRM" in the upper right of the site, find the engine section, and then find the write up on doing timing belts (but only if it turns out that's the problem)

also with the passenger side belt only broke, the car can actually still run! Just not well at all. What you said originally is very confusing....the starter and alternator makes noise but the engine doesnt turn....huh

Apparently I'm the only one that watched the video. Here's where he's at:

 

Engine cranks over. He said alternator and belts spin, and that's what he meant. No firing, but he's cranking over just fine.

 

Starter spins on key release. That's the electric motor sound you're hearing, the starter dissengaging from the flywheel and the starter impeller spinning to a stop. I'm guessing that the starter click he's describing is the solenoid.

 

However, the crank-over does sound a little strange, like one or two pistons aren't getting compression. My guess is also a broken timing belt, leaving two valves open. Check timing belts per what everyone else said.

Apparently I'm the only one that watched the video.

That's cuz he edited his post, and added the video later

 

Yup, just check those timing belts. I'll bet you three nickels that's what it is.

Ah, I see. Well, like it says, I'm new here. Just trying to help!

cranks just like mine did when the timing belt broke.