es300X2

Ok, so here was the problem...
The timing belt stretched when it was cold (very cold outside) and jumped 4 teeth on the rear cam....so I'm told by the mechanic. He is going to replace belt and tensioner + charge for diagnostics.....$619 total. Ouch, but at least it will be back and running

He said belts will strecth over time if not replaced and in extreme weather conditions.
Hope this helps anyone in the future. Thanks again for all the suggestions.

Hayk

iTrader: (1)

You said you never replaced the belt, does that you mean the car was on its original belt for 200k+ miles?

BDSL

Maybe your tensioner gave out. Usually the belt snaps...not stretch.
$619 is not bad for a timing belt job.

When I did it in my garage, it took me slightly over 2 hours to do the job with hand tools.

PFB

I don't see how the timing belt could stretch because of the cold. In fact the opposite should happen. Maybe it's stretched due to age.

How did he determine that it jumped 4 teeth?

hzt30

This is bad news on an interference engine!!!

es300X2

To answer some questions here....the car is running great; it's back to my daily driver again with no lingering issues.
When I picked the car up the mechanic said when he took the timing belt cover off, he could tell the "rear cam was off time by four teeth" I havnt torn a motor down far enough to have first hand experience, BUT my assumption was there are marks on the cam to indicate "top dead center?" I assume when the front cam is on top dead center the rear cam was off by four teeth. I also think this is why the rear bank of cylinders was only showing 100# of compression, but front bank had 175#.

PS I was also told this 3.0L was NOT an interference engine...just repeating what mechanic told me

Thanks

es300X2

I purchased car with 106K, I assumed timing belt had never been changed......I know I hadnt in last 130K. Car has 230K+ now.

BDSL

I guess your timing belt tensioner was weak and therefore, the belt slipped a few teeth.
I hope your mechanic replaced the tensioner.