Dead SC400, smoke from near valve covers and distributors
08-31-06, 01:16 AM
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Dead SC400, smoke from near valve covers and distributors
Hey folks, I'm stranded at work again with a dead car. When I left work, I started to smell something that reminded me of burning electronics (like silicon or insulation). I stopped at a gas station about a quarter mile away and opened up the hood. There was considerable gray smoke coming from the valve cover area and perhaps the distributors too.
Figuring it perhaps was just out of coolant (I've had lots of coolant issues), I topped it off with water, started back up and went on my way. About another quarter mile later, I lose engine power (seemingly smoothly) and am forced to coast into a parking lot and pull to a stop. More smoke from the same areas, and the distributor covers are hot, yet the block is only warm.
Trying to restart the car only seems to spin the engine freely, not even the slightest hint of ignition. Gut feeling says the timing belt cooked and broke. That said, I have no real idea why I think that; I'm usually wrong.
I'll be able to look more at it tomorrow when there's light, but by that description, does anybody have guesses? You should be able to see the t-belt without removing any covers, right? I'll be able to do more in the daylight when I can actually see in the engine, but hopefully some of you early birds (or really late owls) have some suggestions that I can go visit my car with...
Thanks all,
-Aaron
PS. the past couple days it's been making a little bit of a knocking sound at idle and mild throttle (and perhaps all the time, but hard to hear over high RPMs?). I don't know if it's related (probably) but just more info.
Figuring it perhaps was just out of coolant (I've had lots of coolant issues), I topped it off with water, started back up and went on my way. About another quarter mile later, I lose engine power (seemingly smoothly) and am forced to coast into a parking lot and pull to a stop. More smoke from the same areas, and the distributor covers are hot, yet the block is only warm.
Trying to restart the car only seems to spin the engine freely, not even the slightest hint of ignition. Gut feeling says the timing belt cooked and broke. That said, I have no real idea why I think that; I'm usually wrong.
I'll be able to look more at it tomorrow when there's light, but by that description, does anybody have guesses? You should be able to see the t-belt without removing any covers, right? I'll be able to do more in the daylight when I can actually see in the engine, but hopefully some of you early birds (or really late owls) have some suggestions that I can go visit my car with...
Thanks all,
-Aaron
PS. the past couple days it's been making a little bit of a knocking sound at idle and mild throttle (and perhaps all the time, but hard to hear over high RPMs?). I don't know if it's related (probably) but just more info.
Last edited by AaronE; 08-31-06 at 01:20 AM.
09-02-06, 03:54 PM
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hmm, usually you guys are so helpful! It's okay, my feelings aren't hurt or anything. 
Just kiddin'. So yeah, Lexus pretty much concurred with my assessment over the phone (seized water pump, rubbing timing belt, then smoking timing belt, then snapped timing belt). I had it towed over to my work's parking lot where it will await someone to work on it for cheap (as a side project or something).
In the meantime, this morning I bought a black on black '97 SC400...
Just kiddin'. So yeah, Lexus pretty much concurred with my assessment over the phone (seized water pump, rubbing timing belt, then smoking timing belt, then snapped timing belt). I had it towed over to my work's parking lot where it will await someone to work on it for cheap (as a side project or something).In the meantime, this morning I bought a black on black '97 SC400...
09-02-06, 11:18 PM
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hmm, usually you guys are so helpful! It's okay, my feelings aren't hurt or anything. Just kiddin'. So yeah, Lexus pretty much concurred with my assessment over the phone (seized water pump, rubbing timing belt, then smoking timing belt, then snapped timing belt). I had it towed over to my work's parking lot where it will await someone to work on it for cheap (as a side project or something).
In the meantime, this morning I bought a black on black '97 SC400...
Just kiddin'. So yeah, Lexus pretty much concurred with my assessment over the phone (seized water pump, rubbing timing belt, then smoking timing belt, then snapped timing belt). I had it towed over to my work's parking lot where it will await someone to work on it for cheap (as a side project or something).In the meantime, this morning I bought a black on black '97 SC400...
Sorry to hear that Aaron......But that bright side is sure sweet.
P.S. I sent you a PM.
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