My new timing belt just skipped...

[Drewcool2]

About 8 months ago I had a new timing belt re-timed (because it was installed incorrectly by the previous owner) and new tensioner put in on my 95 Eclipse GS at my local dealer. Today, I was driving and I start hearing noises coming from my engine while I was at low RPMs. The noises seemed to be getting louder and louder. It started running rough and I could hear a constant tapping coming on (like valves slightly hitting.) Right away I yelled WTF!, because I already knew what had happened. Sure enough about 10 sec later my CEL came on, and my logger (already plugged in) said "timing belt skipped 1 or more teeth" I shut off the car asap, and i don't plan on starting it again.

What I don't understand is why this happened. Could there be some kind of resistance in the valve train that causes the belt to skip? It's a newly rebuit head, so I don't know. When the timing was correct, the car idles perfect and never made any kind of noises at any rpm.

Any comments/help would be appreciated!!

 

[psychlow]

The only way to really find out is to tear it down and start doing detective work, unfortunately. There are limitless reasons this could have happened.

I'd take your valve cover off and see if you have any lash adjusters (lifters) sitting in the top of the head. This give you a first indication of how badly the valves are bent....

If the tensioner and t-belt are new, I'd first suspect either a shoddy installation or a screw-up caused by the balance shaft belt breaking or a balance shaft bearing going.