zeus87gn

Hey folks,
My 93 SC400 appears to have jumped time on the left cam gear - its only running on 5 cylinders
I replaced the belt that was on there when I bought it a couple of years ago, with a kit from (if memory serves) O'reillys
This replacement seemed to be a little on the tight side when it went on but I ran it anyway
Its had maybe 10k miles put on it when it jumped (est)
I don't know if the belt that was on it was a Lexus belt or not - I put over 100k on it - I replaced it for preventative maintenance
This is the original motor I'm dealing with - 254k miles - before and after I replaced the belt, it was running like a damn champ
I'm still digging into it to get to the crank mark and check it but I was curious to know some things from y'all's experience

Is it best to use a Lexus belt or does it really matter? What one would you recommend?
Considering the mileage, could the belt have jumped from the gears being worn/old?
Would it be worth my time and $ to replace the 3 gears when I replace this belt?

I'm basically just trying to keep it running to have a nice car
I don't have any interest in making heavy modifications to it for now - Its a nice clean stocker

Thanks in advance for the help
Patrick

freakness

Dude,

I would recommend an OEM Toyota belt (Aisin) and new OEM tensioner (also Aisin). The O'Reilly's belt and tensioner are probably low-quality MADE IN CHINA products. I don't know the history of your engine but with those miles you would be best off installing a new timing belt kit with accompanying water pump.

http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/l...le.com+URL+%2F














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zeus87gn

That's what I'm thinking too - a cheap quality belt, not worn gears
I replaced the water pump with the kit i put in the other year but if the belt is cheap....

I see the belt is the Aisin kit from that page you linked to is a Mitsuboshi, made in the USA
I would expect its of good quality

Another question - the hydraulic radiator fan pump appears to be slowly seeping fluid - the funk that has developed on the front of the motor since the cheap belt install seems to be centered around this pump - the dealer wants $1700 for a new one
At that price I'm going to let it keep seeping
Would a used one be worth the time?

zeus87gn

I also broke the serpentine tensioner pulley bolt removing it
Gotta get one of those now....

zeus87gn

I can also see on the timing belt - its a Gates brand

zeus87gn

And where would be a good place to get a replacement harmonic balancer?
besides the Lexus dealer?

zeus87gn

Ho...leee...crap!
With the crank aligned at its marks, both of the cam gears are about 90deg lagging!
I'm amazed it was even running
New timing belt kit with tensioner on order
See if I ever buy typical aftermarket parts for this poor old car ever again!

pogoism9

iTrader: (1)

If they were both 90 degrees out, I tend to believe that wasn't the parts. Gates makes a decent belt.

zeus87gn

I got to looking at it closer yesterday
I think the tensioner died
I can just barely make the tension pulley compress the tensioner
I've read it's not supposed to move under finger strength force

freakness

Dude,


Either the tensioner is the original OEM unit with super high mileage and thus, worn out, or is a MADE IN CHINA low-quality part.

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Ramblerman

Always replace everthing new for timing belt. Tensioner, idler pulleys, water pump,etc. By cheating you sometimes only cheat yourself. One qestion while we are on the subject, does any one out there know if the LS 400 harmonic balancer is the same as the Sc400? I see aftermarket ones for!the LS but never one for the SC.

zeus87gn

Well, I know the tensioner wasn't replaced when I did the belt last time
It wasn't part of the kit
This time all the important parts will be replaced
I got the Rock Auto Aisin kit with the tensioner

After closer inspection of the crank balancer, i'm going to keep running the original
It's not as bad as I first thought before I pulled it