JimmyJam

UPDATE!!! Started right up today! Had to replace the belt, timing pulley gear, one idler pulley and I actually keep tensioner. The tensioner pulley spun well and the tensioner adjuster was in good shape. New water pump and thermo and new seals. I am very relieved the engine is not dead and that mechanic was incompetent. I couldn't have done it without all of your help. Thank You again. Now, how do I shove it back in that mechanics face? Maybe I will pull up, honk my horn til he comes out and throw the old belt at him. Dude had me looking in the classifieds for a car.

Yeah nipper you were right...well lets see tomorrow. JPX...One of my idler pulleys had a VERY minute side to side movement, do you vote to change them?

Update...Took everything off today and got a good look at the belt. For a about 10inches it is missing a lot of teeth and in general is just beat up. The timing marks are off by about 45 degrees also. I'm gonna buy all the parts and finish it up by tomorrow. I will let you all know how it turns out. Again, thanks for all the help.

You guys are amazing! Thank You for all your help and advice. I really appreciate it. Well, today I went to the shop and towed that sucker out of there. It is now in my driveway ready to be torn apart. Gonna start by getting down to the belt and see what kind of shape its in. Missing teeth, major cracks, no tension, etc., and I will probably assume it was that and do the entire job. If it kinda looks okay, I will just do the belt and proceed from there. Question, can I still find TDC with compression on cylinder 1 in my situation? Guess I will do my homework.

Thank you everybody for your great advice, I really appreciate it. Here is my question...because of the slight possibility the engine is done, I don't want to put a lot of money into it so, is it possible to put just a T-belt on and skip some of the other procedures(tensioner, water pump, seals, etc.) for now? You know, for testing purposes. I wouldn't mind doing it all twice. I'm probably gonna get it towed to my house and work on it since I don't trust that mechanic. Other than that, where can I get the specialty tools(Crankshaft Pulley wrench, etc), dealer or Autozone, Pepboys.

Thank for the quick response. You also put my mind at ease. Thanks. So even if the timing belt is Not broke in half but in bad shape?

1996 Legacy 2.2L 366k I got onto the highway yesterday and I had a sudden drop in power, moved over to the shoulder and it stalled. When I tried to start it back up, it cranks well but does not start. I figured timing belt since I have not replaced it since I bought it (172K+ miles). I pulled off the cover to take a look at the belt and it was not broke but looked Horrible (holes and cracking). So I had it towed to a random shop to have it looked at. The mechanic called me back and said my engine was done. He did a compression test and said it was VERY low in all but one cylinder. Thats the only thing he did though. He said it would cost $175 to check out the timing belt and that I would be wasting my money because he believed it was done. So what do I do???? Trash the car? Rebuild? Get a second opinion? [Main Question]Could it be the Timing belt?? Would a slipped belt cause low compression and a no start situation??? Is it a head gasket? The engine has been getting warm (3/4temp) off and on because of a dead radiator fan. I have been keeping the heat on to keep the temps low. Any other ideas? I need to decide in the next day so any advice would be greatly appreciated. Jim