If the timing belt breaks, is my engine shot? Thanks for any help. 2007 TL

 

Not sure yet. The car stopped accelerating so I pulled it over and shut it off. Now it won't turn over and a code came up for crankshaft positioning sensor but when I look into the little holes on the belt cover while trying to start the car, nothing moves.

 

Most likely. Like most every modern engine, all the J series are interference engines. If the belt breaks, the pistons can smash into the valves. It's typically salvageable, but often its most cost effective to just toss a junkyard replacement in, as long as the engine is common enough.

...Do you suspect your timing belt snapped?

 

...

 

didn't you get a code for the crank sensor? you should still address that opposed to assuming it's the belt

in any case why don't you get it towed to a reputable mechanic to get inspected

 

I had it towed to my shop(Paint and Body). I have a mechanic there but he was off today. Are you saying the sensor would keep the belt and pulleys from moving at all? I didn't think that was a possibility.

 

zomg hit the nail on the head. the point i'm trying to make is address the issue that is known first, which is the cps. then go from there - don't start jumping to conclusions

 

You hear the engine cranking, but you don't see the pulleys moving under the inspection holes?

If you see the crank pulley on the bottom of the engine spinning(and all the accessory drive belts), but don't see anything going on in the holes, you have a real issue on your hands. No great way to determine how bad the damage is internally without pulling the heads.

I would remove the plugs and visually inspect them. Past that, leakdown test would let you know what cylinder, if any has a serious issue. If they all have an issue, you're probably best off just looking for a junkyard engine. They're not that expensive or hard to find as long as its an auto base TL.

The engine will not run without the crank sensor, but its possible the belt broke and whacked it. The timing belt ALWAYS spins with engine rotation. It's the only thing that ensures the vales don't come into contact with the pistons.

 

Not sure about the crank pulley on the bottom. The pulley on top is not moving as I look through inspection holes while trying to start.

 

And no, the drive belt or pulleys are not moving either if I remember correctly.

 

The lower pulley turning would just reassure you the engine IS spinning.

What I'm suggesting, is the engine could be locked up and not actually turning when you try to start it. Not that that's any better than breaking a timing belt.

It might be helpful to record a 10 second video of under the hood while someone turns the key.

 

Video of what specifically? I was under the hood watching while someone was trying to start it.

 

A video of the belt area while someone keys it over.

Does the engine spin? How do you know?

If it does spin, the cam pulleys need to spin. If they do not, you broke a timing belt.
If it does not spin, is your battery good? Does the starter work? Does it have power?

These questions can usually be answered in about 2 seconds based off the noise made while cranking.

 

Yes, it has power. I am not sure about the lower pulley but the other pulleys do not move. I can't look at it now seeing how it is at my shop so I have to wait until Thursday to inspect further. I am just a wreck thinking about it so I wanted to get some feedback on here while I am at a stand still. I greatly appreciate your help. Frickin car has been solid since I bought it. Had an Acura tech that I am friends with do the timing belt, water pump, drive belt, idler pulley, tensioner pulley and plugs at 110,000. It has 140,000 now. If it is the belt, I am going to go nuts. And I also stood there and watched him do it. He has been working on Acuras for fifteen years. Not that it means he is perfect but damn.

 

It basically sounds pretty clean and like it wants to turn but just won't catch. No odd noises at all.

 

If the belt going to the P/S, A/C, and Alternator is not spinning, the engine is probably not spinning. They are mechanically linked to the crankshaft. If they don't spin, the belt is slipping on the pulley, or the engine is not spinning.

Can you hear compression? You hear the engine cranking away like normal?

It's possible an accessory locked up, like the A/C compressor. I'm not sure what that has to do with the crank sensor, but that could cause the engine to not start, and the drive belt to not spin.

However, if the cam gears/belt below the covers are not moving, AND the drive belt is not spinning, the engine is probably not spinning. A big list of problems can cause this. The best one would be a low or bad battery.

 

The drive belt should be spinning if you hear the engine cranking away like normal. However, the timing belt should be spinning too. The drive belt not spinning isn't a big deal, and I will just assume it actually was.

Did you clearly see the cam pulley under the cover? And it wasn't moving? If you hear the engine cranking away like normal, and nothing is moving below the cover, you broke a timing belt.

 

Wow. Interesting, my AC has been going in and out like the compressor is only coming on occasionally. It even did it right before this happened.

 

But, like you said, when I look through the inspection hole at the top while trying to start...no movement.

 

Well at least you work at a shop with a mechanic and not just some office building. You are getting some solid info on what to look for from the other post.

 

Maybe you can get a better engine with a little more hp. On the brighter side.

 

Amen.