Broken timing belt

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Jul 3, 1999 | 09:36 AM

DenG

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Joined: Jul 1999

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Broken timing belt

My son broke the timing belt in this 89 2.3L Ranger. Has the engine been damaged? Are we looking at bent valves, or more serious (expensive) damage?

Jul 4, 1999 | 09:33 AM

RICHARD

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Broken timing belt

I don't know for a certainty, but I think this condition may be benign. Of course, the belt will have to be replaced and it might be possible as a do it yourself job. The manual I picked up yesterday shows how it is to be done. Tedious but doable. I stand ready to be contradicted, but I think the engine will be OK.

Jul 6, 1999 | 12:13 PM

Phillip Guidry

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Joined: Jun 1999

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Broken timing belt

Nothing damaging happened when the belt broke on this engine.I find that it is easy to change the belt,especially in a truck.The hardest thing is to loosen the crank bolt!.Without having to remove the radiator to use an impact,I jam a breaker bar to the top of the frame on the driver side and bump the starter to break it loose.The rest is easy as cake mix,just turn the crank til the key is up {TDC on balancer}and turn cam til the pointer is on the middle line of the indicator,pry back the tensioner a little and retighten it so it stays there, lay the new belt on{make sure the teeth,round or square,match the pulley designs}with no slack on the drivers side and loosen the tensioner bolt to allow it to tighten the belt.Spin the crank 2 rounds to make sure everything lines up again and retighten belt and finish assembling.
Phillip