I had a strange failure on my mint 98. No other problems previously.
It has always run great. But, last week I started it up and immediately noticed a loud ticking much like bad lifters. I shut the car down within 5 seconds.
My wife had backed it out of the garage the day before to get something out, and simply pulled it back in; everything was fine for her.
I checked the oil (fine) just changed 300 miles previous, and checked everything, and tried starting it again. Hard cranking...and gave up.
I think the timing belt may have jumped a tooth, but I have nightmares of bent valves from the 5 second run at startup.....
Has ANYONE heard of a similar failure, or offer any assistance?
I thought I might pull the cam covers to see if the belt snapped or ???
Nearest dealer Birmingham or Atlanta, over 100 miles either one.....hard for me to trust a backyard mechanic....although I could probably wrench this if I can get the harmonic balancer bolt out.....
Any help appreciated!!!!
Tom near Anniston, AL
It has always run great. But, last week I started it up and immediately noticed a loud ticking much like bad lifters. I shut the car down within 5 seconds.
My wife had backed it out of the garage the day before to get something out, and simply pulled it back in; everything was fine for her.
I checked the oil (fine) just changed 300 miles previous, and checked everything, and tried starting it again. Hard cranking...and gave up.
I think the timing belt may have jumped a tooth, but I have nightmares of bent valves from the 5 second run at startup.....
Has ANYONE heard of a similar failure, or offer any assistance?
I thought I might pull the cam covers to see if the belt snapped or ???
![feedback.gif](http://lextreme.com/forums/images/smilies/feedback.gif)
Nearest dealer Birmingham or Atlanta, over 100 miles either one.....hard for me to trust a backyard mechanic....although I could probably wrench this if I can get the harmonic balancer bolt out.....
Any help appreciated!!!!
Tom near Anniston, AL