timing belt split

[bbeck]

So, my girlfriend's car is a 92 grandprix with the 3.4L and has got 150k on it. The belt just split on one side- it is about 1/4" by 9" long. I cut it off to keep it from breaking off and to keep it from knocking inside the covers.
The car is in decent shape, she likes it, and doesn't have the money to buy a different vehicle right now being unemployed and a full-time student. Any place that she's called has tried to tell her that it either doesn't have a timing belt, they've never done them, or that it isn't worth it to do the belt on those motors. I checked into the sticky but it takes me nowhere.
So,:
1.) how concerned should she be about this? (Obviously she wants to have it repaired.)

2.) what all would I need to replace the belt in this car?

3.) Is there anything else that should be replaced while I'm in there?

[bszopi]

So, my girlfriend's car is a 92 grandprix with the 3.4L and has got 150k on it. The belt just split on one side- it is about 1/4" by 9" long. I cut it off to keep it from breaking off and to keep it from knocking inside the covers.
The car is in decent shape, she likes it, and doesn't have the money to buy a different vehicle right now being unemployed and a full-time student. Any place that she's called has tried to tell her that it either doesn't have a timing belt, they've never done them, or that it isn't worth it to do the belt on those motors. I checked into the sticky but it takes me nowhere.
So,:
1.) how concerned should she be about this? (Obviously she wants to have it repaired.)

2.) what all would I need to replace the belt in this car?

3.) Is there anything else that should be replaced while I'm in there?

Try this link: http://60degreev6.com/content.php/30...re-Walkthrough

EDIT: I need to fix that article so it shows the thumbnail, and links to the full-sized engine.

[walterdude]

If the belt is split I wouldn't run it... PERIOD!!! With 4 cams and 24 valves there is a LOT of pressure/stress on that belt and with a split you are looking for trouble if you run it..
Few mechanics have even the slightest clue about these engines and will tell you most anything!! Those are the ones you steer WELL clear of!! The fact is, if you take the time to learn your way around these engines they really aren't any worse than anything else...
When you do a belt you should also replace the idlers... I think Rock Auto has a kit with everything..
Hope this helps,,
Tom...

[savannaz34]

am i the only one that thinks this guy is looking at the acc drive belt?no offence or anything,it just seems like he dont know much about the motor.and maybe he thinks the accesory drive belt is the timing belt.?it happens.as i said:no offence

[bszopi]

I cut it off to keep it from breaking off and to keep it from knocking inside the covers.

That leads me to believe he's looking at the right belt.

[savannaz34]

sorry guys,umm i didnt have my glasses on when i read it the first time.lol.
but ya,im very sorry

[55trucker]

If there is one job on this particular engine that is not for the *faint of heart*...this is it. Personally, if you've no experience doing this *Get Some Help* alongside of you from someone who has done the procedure before. Too many times the cam timing has been upset because the individual performing the work made an error when reassembling everything and/or did not have the proper tools needed to get the job done right the first time, and having to pull this apart a second time will be downright frustrating/disheartening. I'm not trying to put you off this but you do need some experienced assistance on this matter. If the belt does break before you stop driving the car, there should be no damage as the engine is a non-interference design. Having said that, seeing as your belt IS damaged I suggest you keep the car off the road for safety sake/avoid a tow fee if/when the belt goes on you somewhere on the road.

[savannaz34]

now i have a problem. IS THIS AN INTERFERENCE MOTOR OR NOT.
II HAVE READ NUMEROUS ARTICLES STATING IT IS.AND SOME(very few)stating it is not.
i have seen pics of bent valves due to broken timing belt.
now i know there is a few pro's on this forum(you know who you are).can you plz make this clear.IS IT OR IS IT NOT?

[jman093]

1. Very concerned, it's not gonna live much longer at all.
2. Replace the tensioner actuator and tensioner pulley when replacing a t-belt. Those love to fail. New valve cover gaskets and an upper intake manifold gasket wouldn't be a bad idea since those are coming off. To do this job you need a special tool to hold down the camshafts.....
3. Anything else you feel like doing (LIM gaskets leak? distributor Oring leaking? Need new plugs and wires?), now might be a good time.

now i have a problem. IS THIS AN INTERFERENCE MOTOR OR NOT.
II HAVE READ NUMEROUS ARTICLES STATING IT IS.AND SOME(very few)stating it is not.
i have seen pics of bent valves due to broken timing belt.
now i know there is a few pro's on this forum(you know who you are).can you plz make this clear.IS IT OR IS IT NOT?

GM says its freewheeling and the vast majority of the time a breaking belt does no damage, but it does occasionally happen. It seems to me that its more likely to do damage if it breaks at high rpm. The later engines (96-97?) had different pistons that I think might be more susceptible to damage.

[bbeck]

1. Is there a certain belt I should look for or stear clear of?

2. Can someone post some links to the tools I'll need or send them to me via pm if need be?

The lower intake gasket probably wouldn't be a bad idea as there seems to be a vacuum leak- high idle at start-up. It just recieved new plugs, wires, iac, radiator, and a couple other small things here and there. I'll start looking for the parts and prices.

How much do you guys approximately spend on these when you do them?

[55trucker]

As Tom suggested above...go to Rockauto's website....search '92 Pontiac Grand Prix, 3.4 DOHC ENGINE, sub heading *engine*...search *Timing Belt Component kit* ....there you'll find the kit needed for doing the timing belt and the price. You'll also find in the engine section the Intake Manifold kit you may need. As for tools you don't have...pullers needed may be rented or a loan-a-tool program near you. The important items you may not be able to rent are the two camshaft lockdown devises. If someone within reasonable distance has a pair perhaps you might *ask nicely* to borrow them. A well descriptive service manual on hand is a good idea as well (aside the linked procedure in the forum here).

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php