North American Turbocoupe Organization



Freaking car!!! (timing belt, starter)
Ryan H Offline
Posting Freak
#1
4 oclock rolls around. Time for my usual late lunch at the office. Into the TC I go.

The key turns. Grinding sound (such as if you were to hold the key too long). The engine stays running however I immediatley cut it off hearing this noise.

I let the car roll a little bit, being shocked at the horrible sound... Then I realize I'm out of my parking space. I turn the key to back it into the parking space, however it sounds like the starter isn't catching the flywheel now, so I pop the clutch and she starts up just fine.

I'm not TOO great of a manual driver just yet, and I still stall the car out sometimes and I'm on the way back to my house, hoping to the high heavens that this damn car doesn't stall... She stalled. Luckily, there were some rednecks behind me in a huge truck who were kind enough to push my bumper so I could pop the clutch again [Image: smile.gif]

About 1.5 miles later, the car loses all power. It does this as I'm doing about 45 down a hill. "No biggie," I think to myself. I pop the clutch straight into 4th and she starts, only barely, like there was no gas or something (there was $5 of premium in the tank + whatever the previous owner had in it). It kept stalling in gear and I'd have the gas to the floor/clutch out and it would only be doing a steady ~5 mph. I pull over and the rednecks (lol) found me and gave me a ride home [Image: smile.gif]

So, after hours of toying with the idea that the alternator went dead, and trying to pop the clutch about 4 more times, I decided to just call a tow truck and get it towed home. My neighbor pulled the lip of the timing belt cover back to discover the belt broken. He said I could now have belt valves.

What are the potential problems I could be facing now? I really hope I didn't bend valves, that would totally suck!

Any input is greatly appreciated. I hope I don't have to "learn" from my mistakes. This sucks.


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Ryan Harris

1988 TC, 5 speed, all options including sunroof Smile

1987 3.8L V6, C4, 160K miles, no options (winter car, when it works)

RIP 1987 TC, "Built" A4LD, 119K miles, all options except sunroof Sad

My Audio Mixes
'88 TC Smile Walbro 255HP, Stinger FMIC, PIT BOV, Pro 5.0, Kirban, RR cam, FRPP strut tower brace, T3
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tlswart Offline
Senior Member
#2
First. Nothing is broken but the belt.
Looks like it is time to replace the timing belt. Start doing some searches and read and you should find all the information you need to do this job on your own.

Basic items you will need are a 22mm socket, 17mm socket, new belt, beer (Root or your choice), your computer, and telephone.

You can call me with questions. I have done two in the last 3 months. Others will volunteer I am sure. 405-840-8260.

Your best resourse is the search button and the Tech Articles.

Good luck.

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Terry: 88TC, 5spd, Gillis valve.
Terry: 88TC, 5spd, Gillis valve.
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Ryan H Offline
Posting Freak
#3
You're a life saver. That took a load off of my mind! I'm going to start reading up tonight, I just wanted to make sure nothing was bent/broken now since I tried to start it while the belt was broken.
'88 TC Smile Walbro 255HP, Stinger FMIC, PIT BOV, Pro 5.0, Kirban, RR cam, FRPP strut tower brace, T3
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Pete D Offline
Administrator
#4
The good news is the valves are not bent. This is a non-interference motor so if the belt breaks the pistons and valves don't meet in the middle [Image: biggrin.gif]

Quote:there was $5 of premium in the tank ....

How far do you expect to get on 0.2 of a gallon? [Image: tongue.gif]


Quote:Grinding sound (such as if you were to hold the key too long). The engine stays running however I immediatley cut it off hearing this noise

Are you saying the starter stayed engaged after the key was released from the "START" position??

Fix the belt first and get it timed. If the starter continous to "hang", either the teeth on it are bad or the teeth on the flywheel ring gear are bad. (Can remove the starter and check the ring grear teeth while turning engine over by hand) The starter can be replaced. If there are burrs on the ring gear teeth, you might be able to smooth them out. If too bad you will have to pull trans, clutch and pressure plate. A shop can press the ring gear off, turn it over and press it back on. That way there are clean teeth where the starter engages.

Fix the belt and out some gas in it first and see where you are
Pete Dunham


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Ryan H Offline
Posting Freak
#5
I'm sorry, I put it into words incorrectly..

There was a grinding noise when the engine was running and it also sounded like some pieces were broken off and being tossed around inside of the starter or tranny or something. The noise was especially audible during popping the clutch.

When I shut the engine off and tried to re-start it, it seems as though the starter teeth aren't engaging the flywheel at all. I hear the [EDIT] starter motor spin rapidly, however nothing moves. I think I need to check out the starter before the belt, so I can actually crank the engine when the belt is done.

[This message has been edited by Ryan H (edited 12-07-2004).]
'88 TC Smile Walbro 255HP, Stinger FMIC, PIT BOV, Pro 5.0, Kirban, RR cam, FRPP strut tower brace, T3
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martin0660 Offline
Posting Freak
#6
I'm not sure where you are at now with the starter situation.

I suspect the first problem was a sticky starter solenoid (drivers side fender by the battery). These are a pretty weak item, and I've had trouble with starter run on with several TC's over the years.

My fear is that it sounds like the starter may have been engaged when you bump started it, and bust the nose off the starter, or otherwise hurt the flywheel.

I wonder if the starter being engaged when bump starting it could have broke the belt?

Bob Myers
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Keith Pellerito Offline
Senior Member
#7
Just be glad that it happened when you just started it and were not going too fast. When I lost my timing belt, I was doing about 90, I was racing a ricer, beat the piss out of him and felt all good until I noticed that my car stalled??? I thought ok, I will just start it back up--nothing. I waved bye to the guy like nothing was wrong as he rolled away and I coasted into a gas station. Somehow during the whole debachal, I had to replace my timing belt and my turbo, something about oil not going into the turbo for a second?? All I know is it blew BIGTIME. The timing belt is fairly easy to do as everyone else has said, I just figured I would tell you it could have been much worse and expensive.
good luck
Keith
yeah it is fast, just a little slow getting back to the garage!🚓
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Pete D Offline
Administrator
#8
I thinkI would pull the starter and inspect it. I would also fish around in the bottom of the bellhousing with a telescoping magnet. You might have broken a spring out of the clutch plate ir the pressure plate with the clutch popping. Did something like that once on a mildly hard launch, jammed up something and it wouldn't shift unless I turned it off. Drove about 5 miles home in 2nd gear
Pete Dunham


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tps87turbo Offline
Posting Freak
#9
I would get the Timing belt fixed first. Make sure you also replace the belt tensioner. Then I would do like Pete said & pull the starter & check the Ring Gear & clutch. I doubt that you broke a pressure plate sping, but I would check to make sure nothing is in the bottom of the bellhousing. You may have broken a spring that holds the throwout bearing in place.

It would really stink if the ring gear is bad, but if it is, plan on replacing the clutch while you in there unless its new.

------------------
Tony Sceia -

HIS - Red 88 TC, Med Red with Raven Leather & every option, Walbro 255, 3" SS Downpipe with Magnaflow Dual SS 2.5 Cat Back system, 3-core Radiator, Star Stage 3 Clutch, Rebuilt T-5 Tranny, 4:10 rear, 140 MPH Speedo, New Paint, Headlights, Refinished Snowflakes & New Tires.

HERS - Blue 87 TC, fully loaded with every option, Gilies Valve, K & N Filter, 3-core Radiator...just needs a little body work & a new paint job.

87 TC - Bought as a Parts Car, & will remain a parts car now that I found the blue one.
Tony Sceia -

HIS Red 88 TC
http://turbotbird.com/showroom/data_r-z/...a_88tc.php
HERS - Blue 87 TC, fully loaded with every option, Work in Progress
87 Gray TC Parts Car - Gave to BJL and is now his daily driver
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Ryan H Offline
Posting Freak
#10
It definatley sounds like something is broken and bouncing around inside of there somewhere. It sounds like if you put a rock in a dryer and start it up. I'm going to have to drop the tranny I suppose. Its no big deal for downtime, we have other cars to drive (after I fix those, GRR.)

I have a spare T-5 that doesn't grind like this one does, so I guess nows the time to put that in. The clutch is new, I don't know about the flywheel. I might as well get a new one to avoid a pain in the ass later on.

Is there ANYTHING I should check out on my T-5 before I put it in? Should I drain it first? It still has the old fluid in it. What else should I inspect while this stuff is out of the car? Would it be a good time to do anything else while it's dropped?
'88 TC Smile Walbro 255HP, Stinger FMIC, PIT BOV, Pro 5.0, Kirban, RR cam, FRPP strut tower brace, T3
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