Supra died on test drive

batmmannn · 05-14-2010, 01:10 AM

Well I got the 86 going and did a little light test drive it was doing OK with old gas and the like and had been resurrected after many years of sitting. I was doing about 20mph just driving around my neighborhood taking it easy on it when it suddenly sputtered and died. I walked to a friends house we came back and jumped it cause I had a weak battery in it and it didn't fire at all not even a pop.

Kept trying to start it and then the motor started turning fast like it had no plugs in it at all while trying to start it. Like just then it lost all compression. I pulled it back home and parked it.

Any ideas? Broken timing belt? Clogged fuel filter? Loose plugs? Any idea why it would suddenly start turning over very fast under starter power like it had no compression? Blown head? Weird! Doesn't make sense that all the rings could go bad at once. If the timing belt broke would it spin fast under the starter load? I had oil pressure and it was running at the correct temp.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

907mge · 05-14-2010, 01:18 AM

As long as that thing sat in the woods. I would start by rebuilding the engine since you are going to have problem after problem. Every hose, vaccuum line and gasket has a very high chance of leaking.

batmmannn · 05-14-2010, 01:26 AM

It sat in the driveway not actually in the woods. I just read that an engine spinning like no compression during attempted starting could mean a broken timing belt. but I heard nothing like the valves being slapped. Is th 7mGE a non interference engine? If a timing belt breaks does that roach the head? Thanks

907mge · 05-14-2010, 01:52 AM

It should be fine since it is a non inter. motor. That does make sense since half your valves are probably open. It most likely broke since the gears are rusted and the belt is dry rotten. It won't be fun doing the timing belt since you have to get the drive pulley off first that was torqued to 195lbs and it probably is now rusted in place. I'd start by pulling off the upper timing cover to take a look at the belt. I think it has about 6 bolts in it.

batmmannn · 05-14-2010, 02:15 AM

The crank bolt I usually let the starter take care of that, wedge a braking bar and then hit the starter to pop the bolt loose I figure you are right. I did my other Supras timing belt a few years ago and it is also an MK3 so if I had to do anything at least I know how to do this repair. I was just looking for a thread here to refresh my memory. I have a manual but it sucks it covers too many years. All I really need to know is how to line up the cams and the bottom. I guess I will start on it tomorrow. Probably exactly what happened. I was planning on doing this anyway.

I WAS SO RELIEVED when I read that the motor is non interference. Whew! This will be about another $50 buck max out of my pocket which isn't too bad.

Why did they ever go to belts anyway? Seems stupid when chains are so much more reliable.

907mge · 05-14-2010, 02:54 AM

Belts are generally said to be more quite and less expensive. My 2000 celica has a chain though. Everything you need is in here....

http://www.cygnusx1.net/Supra/Library/TSRM/MK3/

batmmannn · 05-14-2010, 03:04 AM

Hey Thanks! This is great! A manual on line pint out the page you need and rock on! Get too much grease on the sheet just print a new one....AWESOME!

batmmannn · 05-14-2010, 03:16 AM

Do you usually pull the radiator when doing a timing belt? I always have but this manual does not mention it. I guess I just like having the extra room to work. Also it keeps the radiator safe from slipped wrenchs or the like. Do you do yours with or without the radiator in place?

cre · 05-14-2010, 04:04 AM

Pull the oil cap off and shine a light in while someone cranks the engine. You'll see the #1 intake cam lobe moving if the belt is intact.

batmmannn · 05-14-2010, 04:20 AM

Thats even easier than pulling the top cover! Thanks!

05-14-2010, 01:18 AM	#2
907mge 20psi boost Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Harrisburg Posts: 759	As long as that thing sat in the woods. I would start by rebuilding the engine since you are going to have problem after problem. Every hose, vaccuum line and gasket has a very high chance of leaking. Last edited by 907mge; 05-14-2010 at 01:21 AM.

05-14-2010, 01:26 AM	#3
batmmannn 12psi boost Join Date: May 2010 Location: West Virginia Posts: 320	Curious It sat in the driveway not actually in the woods. I just read that an engine spinning like no compression during attempted starting could mean a broken timing belt. but I heard nothing like the valves being slapped. Is th 7mGE a non interference engine? If a timing belt breaks does that roach the head? Thanks __________________ 1987 N/A 7MGE Left Hand Drive MK3 Red 5 Speed and Black Auto Supras My Next project is the Batmobile!

05-14-2010, 02:15 AM	#5
batmmannn 12psi boost Join Date: May 2010 Location: West Virginia Posts: 320	I hear ya The crank bolt I usually let the starter take care of that, wedge a braking bar and then hit the starter to pop the bolt loose I figure you are right. I did my other Supras timing belt a few years ago and it is also an MK3 so if I had to do anything at least I know how to do this repair. I was just looking for a thread here to refresh my memory. I have a manual but it sucks it covers too many years. All I really need to know is how to line up the cams and the bottom. I guess I will start on it tomorrow. Probably exactly what happened. I was planning on doing this anyway. I WAS SO RELIEVED when I read that the motor is non interference. Whew! This will be about another $50 buck max out of my pocket which isn't too bad. Why did they ever go to belts anyway? Seems stupid when chains are so much more reliable. __________________ 1987 N/A 7MGE Left Hand Drive MK3 Red 5 Speed and Black Auto Supras My Next project is the Batmobile!

05-14-2010, 03:04 AM	#7
batmmannn 12psi boost Join Date: May 2010 Location: West Virginia Posts: 320	Allrighty Then! Hey Thanks! This is great! A manual on line pint out the page you need and rock on! Get too much grease on the sheet just print a new one....AWESOME! __________________ 1987 N/A 7MGE Left Hand Drive MK3 Red 5 Speed and Black Auto Supras My Next project is the Batmobile!

05-14-2010, 03:16 AM	#8
batmmannn 12psi boost Join Date: May 2010 Location: West Virginia Posts: 320	Radiator? Do you usually pull the radiator when doing a timing belt? I always have but this manual does not mention it. I guess I just like having the extra room to work. Also it keeps the radiator safe from slipped wrenchs or the like. Do you do yours with or without the radiator in place? __________________ 1987 N/A 7MGE Left Hand Drive MK3 Red 5 Speed and Black Auto Supras My Next project is the Batmobile! Last edited by batmmannn; 05-14-2010 at 03:25 AM.

05-14-2010, 01:10 AM	#1
batmmannn 12psi boost Join Date: May 2010 Location: West Virginia Posts: 320	Supra died on test drive Well I got the 86 going and did a little light test drive it was doing OK with old gas and the like and had been resurrected after many years of sitting. I was doing about 20mph just driving around my neighborhood taking it easy on it when it suddenly sputtered and died. I walked to a friends house we came back and jumped it cause I had a weak battery in it and it didn't fire at all not even a pop. Kept trying to start it and then the motor started turning fast like it had no plugs in it at all while trying to start it. Like just then it lost all compression. I pulled it back home and parked it. Any ideas? Broken timing belt? Clogged fuel filter? Loose plugs? Any idea why it would suddenly start turning over very fast under starter power like it had no compression? Blown head? Weird! Doesn't make sense that all the rings could go bad at once. If the timing belt broke would it spin fast under the starter load? I had oil pressure and it was running at the correct temp. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks __________________ 1987 N/A 7MGE Left Hand Drive MK3 Red 5 Speed and Black Auto Supras My Next project is the Batmobile! Last edited by batmmannn; 05-14-2010 at 01:13 AM.

05-14-2010, 01:52 AM	#4
907mge 20psi boost Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Harrisburg Posts: 759	It should be fine since it is a non inter. motor. That does make sense since half your valves are probably open. It most likely broke since the gears are rusted and the belt is dry rotten. It won't be fun doing the timing belt since you have to get the drive pulley off first that was torqued to 195lbs and it probably is now rusted in place. I'd start by pulling off the upper timing cover to take a look at the belt. I think it has about 6 bolts in it.

05-14-2010, 02:54 AM	#6
907mge 20psi boost Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Harrisburg Posts: 759	Belts are generally said to be more quite and less expensive. My 2000 celica has a chain though. Everything you need is in here.... http://www.cygnusx1.net/Supra/Library/TSRM/MK3/

05-14-2010, 04:04 AM	#9
cre Toyota Racing Development Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5,038	Pull the oil cap off and shine a light in while someone cranks the engine. You'll see the #1 intake cam lobe moving if the belt is intact. __________________ If something breaks or you need to contact a member of the administration please post HERE. Unless it's a private or administration matter please post it on the forum. It benefits no one else if car related questions aren't posted for future users and takes away from the time I'm able to spend helping on the rest of the forum. If you're so inclined I'm always more than happy to accept tips via PayPal. Tip Jar --->

05-14-2010, 04:20 AM	#10
batmmannn 12psi boost Join Date: May 2010 Location: West Virginia Posts: 320	Great Idea Thats even easier than pulling the top cover! Thanks! __________________ 1987 N/A 7MGE Left Hand Drive MK3 Red 5 Speed and Black Auto Supras My Next project is the Batmobile!

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