1G Timing belt tensioner fell out

[Michael53]

On my 90 gsx. Motor is stock and i havent owned it long( 8 months, <1000 miles).The bolts on the timing belt tensioner backed out and fell along with the tensioner at around 20mph( both bolts and tensioner found).The engine lost power and I pushed it back to my cabinet shop, as it happen right when I pulled out, and haven't messed with it since as far as rolling it over in fear of causing further damage. About ¼ qt. Of oil pooled on the asphalt when I came a stop after engine died. Can't see any holes in block but there must be if oil pooled right? I'm in the atlanta area and looking for a shop that may be able to help with sourcing a 6 or 7 bolt or to see if this one can be rebuilt. Any help is appreciated. Thanks

 

[luv2rallye]

Are you sure you mean to say the main engine timing belt tensioner and not something else?
Because if the main timing belt tensioner fell off, your timing belt would come off and the engine would stop immediately with bent valves - very bad news (repair of $1000's).

Perhaps you mean the main crank pulley (aka harmonic balancer)?

 

[19Eclipse90]

If it actually is the hydraulic tensioner that fell out, oil could come through the lower bolt hole due to a failed front case gasket. See this thread for explanation as to how.

If that’s actually what fell out, like Gary said, you’re almost certainly in for pricey repairs.

 

[Michael53]

Are you sure you mean to say the main engine timing belt tensioner and not something else?
Because if the main timing belt tensioner fell off, your timing belt would come off and the engine would stop immediately with bent valves - very bad news (repair of $1000's).

Perhaps you mean the main crank pulley (aka harmonic balancer)?

100% timing belt tensioner fell. Didn't know that the lower bolt hole could leak oil from crank case. And of course timing marks are now off alignment.

If it actually is the hydraulic tensioner that fell out, oil could come through the lower bolt hole due to a failed front case gasket. See this thread for explanation as to how.

If that’s actually what fell out, like Gary said, you’re almost certainly in for pricey repairs.

Unfortunately that where I am. The price is one thing, the other is who can be trusted in my "general area" to help source an engine or rebuild to keep my car from slowly returning to the earth like many ive seen.

If it actually is the hydraulic tensioner that fell out, oil could come through the lower bolt hole due to a failed front case gasket. See this thread for explanation as to how.

If that’s actually what fell out, like Gary said, you’re almost certainly in for pricey repairs.

That would also explain the phantom oil leak I had prior to this....that's great info.

 

[miliman13]

Assuming only bent valves

Just remove head and find a local machine shop.

 

[luv2rallye]

However if it's leaking oil out of that lower timing belt tensioner bolt hole, you will have to replace the front case gasket or it will continue to leak there (ask me how I know - I replaced it myself which was a job). That requires front case removal which is not trivial and is pricey.

 

[Michael53]

Assuming only bent valves

Just remove head and find a local machine shop.

Seems doable...thanks.

However if it's leaking oil out of that lower timing belt tensioner bolt hole, you will have to replace the front case gasket or it will continue to leak there (ask me how I know - I had to replace it). That requires front case removal which is not trivial and pricey.

I looked into that and yeah, you ain't lying about trivial, but necessary

 

[19Eclipse90]

If it were me, I would remove the valve cover and check for anything out of the ordinary like rockers floating around where they shouldn’t be, equal valve stem heights, etc. If everything appears okay, proceed. If not, might as well begin disassembling if you’re comfortable doing so.

The belt needs to come off anyway so pull that. With the belt off, remove the camshafts. Rotate the crankshaft timing mark on the crankshaft sprocket to line up with the mark on the front case. Reinstall the camshaft with the dowel pins for the gears in the up or 12 o’clock position. Reinstall the belt ensuring the hydraulic tensioner is properly set. Then, attempt to rotate the engine over by hand. If it rotates fine by hand, attempt a compression test. If not, stop and proceed with disassembly.

The front case still needs to be addressed but that is secondary to the others, in my opinion.

 

[Michael53]

If it were me, I would remove the valve cover and check for anything out of the ordinary like rockers floating around where they shouldn’t be, equal valve stem heights, etc. If everything appears okay, proceed. If not, might as well begin disassembling if you’re comfortable doing so.

The belt needs to come off anyway so pull that. With the belt off, remove the camshafts. Rotate the crankshaft timing mark on the crankshaft sprocket to line up with the mark on the front case. Reinstall the camshaft with the dowel pins for the gears in the up or 12 o’clock position. Reinstall the belt ensuring the hydraulic tensioner is properly set. Then, attempt to rotate the engine over by hand. If it rotates fine by hand, attempt a compression test. If not, stop and proceed with disassembly.

The front case still needs to be addressed but that is secondary to the others, in my opinion.

10-4, I will do that, and I'll report back with good news hopefully (though typically not my luck). Thanks for the informative response.