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I have 1993 toyota 5 speed, while I was going down hill I pushed in the clutch to come to a stop, I watched the RPM's drop all the way down and the truck died. I rolled it through the the stop and pulled off to the side of the road, i tried to start it again and it would turn over but, would not fire up, my dad and I tried to jump start it and it wouldn't start so it's not the battery, we pulled it home and are stummped on what it could be, we were thinking maybe the starter, but why would it just die like that if it was the starter or maybe the spark plugs, or timming chan not really sure. If you could help us out that would be great.

Optional Information:
1993 Toyota regular cab 2.4 liter 4 cyl

Already Tried:
jump starting it, compression starting it,

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Status: Closed Value: $15

We need to know if it is missing spark or compression. If it is not missing either one, there will be some expensive tools involved.

To check for spark, remove a spark plug and crank engine over while holding the plug and wire assembly to the engine block. Was there spark? If so, we need to check for compression on ALL cylinders.

Remove the remaining spark plugs and turn engine over while plugging the spark plug hole if there is enough pressure to push your finger off, is should be good enough. Check all cylinders.

If there is no compression, there was damage to the valves from a broken timing belt.

Please reply with the results, I will help you out on this one.

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Relist: I still need help.
So I figured out that it was the timing chain, I replaced it and the engine fired right up, it still had a little bit of trouble idleing though. It had good compression in all of the cylinders so i don't know what the problem is. I took it for a test drive and when I came to a stop I pushed the clutch in and the RPM's did the same thing, they droped and then the engine died on me I rolled it throught the stop and took the distrubuter cap off and turned the engine over, the rotor did not move, broken timing chain again. I towed it home and took off the valve cover to look inside, nothing was broken the guides and everything were still intact, I took the chain out and it looked as though it was just to tight and a link snapped, I don't know. I talked to another mechanic and he said that the only way a chain can brake like that is if the crankshaft was bent. Could that be right? if so what can i do?

That is something that doesn't usually happen, especially after a fresh repair. Sounds like either improper installation or a defective chain. Did you follow the instructions letter for letter when setting the valve timing? I'm almost sure since the engine fired right up when you finished it. Just have to ask though.

If the crankshaft was bent, the engine would run bad, have a knock, and have low oil pressure just to name a few things. Sounds like you may have gotten a defective chain or have a problem with gears. One of the components that the chain drives, may be seizing intermittently

The rough idle could have been caused by a vacuum leak or improper installation of the chain, provided there is no knocking. Too much play in the chain will retard valve timing and the engine WILL run, but won't make much power at all until it reaches higher RPMs. Eventually it will become so loose that it will slap around and could possibly break.

Another point is, on alot of engines the tensioner and timing gears should be changed as a set on a chain driven valve timing setup, when servicing the chain.

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Reply to ase_master327's Post: Im almost for sure I installed everything the right way and timed everything proparly, my grandpa helped me and he's worked on cars since he was little, but there is that chance. How likely are these chains to break? I replaced the tansioner and guides so I don't think it could be because of those. The owner who I got it from before just replaced the header, so im thinking that maybe the engine could have starved for oil and heated up and bent the crankshaft. could that happen? Is there any way to check if I have a bent crank shaft, just to make sure? when i did drive it for a little bit that it was running, it seemed as thought the oil pressure gauge was a little low, but I thought it was because it was at low RPM's. any other suggestions would be great thanks for your help.

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