Is this fixable?
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: AZ
Is this fixable?
Hi all,
Before I received the title from the dealer (Santa Fe Center LLC), the car overheats and fails to start again. I shut down the motor (while rolling at 55mph, dangerous) when the temp gauge was climbing to the red zone. I pulled off top cover to distributor and found this...Is this fixable (ie, no internal engine damage)?
Its a 92 SC400 with 107,223 miles and had it for over a month. The dealer just said I was SOL, which was the worst thing I ever heard from any seller. He didn't even want to pay for half the repair, no less a full refund.
I've changed a timing chain on a Toyota 22RE, but none like this V8 timing belt.
I just had the exhaust done and got staggered 18" Lexus wheels too. Crud!
Thanks. DJ
Before I received the title from the dealer (Santa Fe Center LLC), the car overheats and fails to start again. I shut down the motor (while rolling at 55mph, dangerous) when the temp gauge was climbing to the red zone. I pulled off top cover to distributor and found this...Is this fixable (ie, no internal engine damage)?
Its a 92 SC400 with 107,223 miles and had it for over a month. The dealer just said I was SOL, which was the worst thing I ever heard from any seller. He didn't even want to pay for half the repair, no less a full refund.
I've changed a timing chain on a Toyota 22RE, but none like this V8 timing belt.
I just had the exhaust done and got staggered 18" Lexus wheels too. Crud!
Thanks. DJ
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: AZ
Thanks for the responses. If I had known of possible maintenance issues, believe me, that would've been priority.
The vehicle began to overheat, turned it off, checked coolant level (ok) and let it sit in the shade for 30 minutes. Fired it up with temp gauge showing cooler than normal operating temp and slowly proceeded. Vehicle misfired, stalled and never started again. It turns over like it wants to start but won't.
The shavings are rubber, which appear to be from the timing belt. Thx
The vehicle began to overheat, turned it off, checked coolant level (ok) and let it sit in the shade for 30 minutes. Fired it up with temp gauge showing cooler than normal operating temp and slowly proceeded. Vehicle misfired, stalled and never started again. It turns over like it wants to start but won't.
The shavings are rubber, which appear to be from the timing belt. Thx
i am not sure how the two are related. The car overheating is not a timing issue. The timing belt has most likely jumped a tooth - could be the reason for the rubber shavings or the belt itself has jumped a pulley is riding the edge which would cause the timing to be off as well.
The overheating you need to look at but it could be thermo or the HG. I bet you will figure it all out as you will have to take it all off to do the timing belt. You might as well do HGs, thermo, waterpump, tensioner, inspect pulleys, etc. Or call up scotturnot and see if he still has that spare engine and drop that in for cheap.
with the V8 i think i would buy a spare engine and do the maintenance and then just drop it in. That would be a lot quicker - especially if you drive it daily.
The overheating you need to look at but it could be thermo or the HG. I bet you will figure it all out as you will have to take it all off to do the timing belt. You might as well do HGs, thermo, waterpump, tensioner, inspect pulleys, etc. Or call up scotturnot and see if he still has that spare engine and drop that in for cheap.
with the V8 i think i would buy a spare engine and do the maintenance and then just drop it in. That would be a lot quicker - especially if you drive it daily.
your water pump might have failed and caused the timing belt to shred. or the tensioner for the belt is going causing the belt to slip on the water pump pulley. but anyhow....
at this point, its time to do the required maintenance for timing belt/water pump job. since youll have to get in there anyway to replace the belt. do it all, water pump, timing belt, idlers, cam seals, distributor caps, rotors, wires, whatever else is in there.
at this point, its time to do the required maintenance for timing belt/water pump job. since youll have to get in there anyway to replace the belt. do it all, water pump, timing belt, idlers, cam seals, distributor caps, rotors, wires, whatever else is in there.
Trending Topics
Umm if it overheated that bad that it won't stay on you are lucky if it's just a bhg. You might have warped head or something expensive like that. Might be cheaper to buy a used long block.
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers
Joe Kucinski
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation
Joe Kucinski
Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?
Brett Foote
GX 550 vs TX 550: Best 3-Row Luxury Lexus Family Hauler
Michael S. Palmer
9 Best Lexus Models You Can Buy for Half Price (And 1 You Shouldn't!)
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus NX Buyer's Guide: Models, Features, Prices & More!
Brett Foote
Rookie
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: ATX
Sounds like water pump failed. Looks like you need a new timing belt too. A compression test will prolly tell you if you got a bad head gasket but I doubt thats your problem. Time to do the water pump/timing belt dance. Maybe price a new engine vs the parts & labor(or ur time).
edit:
check the thermostat as well.
also if you think its possible its been overheating a lot Id be even more inclined to start with a different engine.
edit:
check the thermostat as well.
also if you think its possible its been overheating a lot Id be even more inclined to start with a different engine.
Last edited by 95silversc; Jun 10, 2009 at 09:14 AM. Reason: forgot about thermostat
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: AZ
Thanks for your inputs. The oil is not "milky", which is a common symptom of a bad hd...but was wondering if that will show up when I replace the parts and fire it up. I just want to get it driveable, so I can sell it. Plan is timing belt, waterpump, t-stat, gasket. Thx again!
Look you definitely have a timing belt issue. No doubt. The question is why, and or how bad. If indeed the water pump "went", that could be the reason you overheated and why the timing belt jumped. But if the timing belt failed all by itself, which it looks like it did, then you've got much bigger problems. Most likely head gasket overheat issues due to extermely out of time engine issues. Or even valve damage if it is an interference motor, which I can't recall off the top of my head.
and compared to the 22RE it's a much bigger endeavor...
and compared to the 22RE it's a much bigger endeavor...
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
