I started my car today just to drive it on some blocks and shut it off?

Hi japostol78,

When engine could not start, you need to verify if it is an ignition, fuel or mechanical fault. Check out the following link and let me know what you find out.

https://www.2carpros.com/kpages/first_things.htm

Hey there, thanks for the reply. the ignition and all the basic is fine. the car started fine when i first drove it up on blocks. then after i started it to drive it off the blocks it bogged out and shut off. The idle was really low at about 1000 rpm. I removed the valve cover and i noticed that there is a lot of slack on the timing belt on top and on the left, there was a lot of slack. i am thinking the timing belt maybe have skipped a tooth? the engine does have about 90,000 miles on it. hopefully i did not damage the engine and time for a new belt and water pump.

i found out the cause of the problem. i removed the valve cover to check on the timing belt. Unfortunately, there is a good row of teeth missing. so it is the timing belt that needs to be changed. i am thinking of doing it myself since i have a new timing belt and water pump. was reading a DIY over on some forums online. so i am going to try. do you think there is not anything damaged internally since i wasnt running the car at all? i just started it and then the car shut off. I would rather save the engine than replace it. thanks

It depends on the situation and your luck. Sometimes it is okay sometimes not.

The easiest way to confirm if any valves are damaged is to check the valve clearances.

Reinstall the timing belt, adjust it and then check the valve clearances. If there is no abnormally large clearances, the valves should be okay. It is not necessary to reinstall all other components to check valve clearances so as not to waste your time just in case the valves are damaged.

Being a twin cam engine, you need to be careful when trying to realign the camshafts. Turn the crank pulley until none of the pistons are at TDC before attempting to realign the camshafts. Turn the camshaft one by one and do not force to ensure the valves are not clashing when turning the camshaft. Let camshaft seat itself in its most comfortable position by rocking it slightly before attempting to turn other camshaft.

how do you know when the cranshaft pistons are not TDC?

At the crank pulley you can see the TDC mark. Make sure it is at least twenty degrees away from matching.

Another way is to remove the number one spark plug and insert a screwdriver to measure the piston position while slowly turning the crankshaft, be careful not to let the screwdriver gets snared by the piston on its upstroke.
When piston is at highest position, turn crankshaft until piston has moved down an inch and you should be ready to go.

finally i changed my timing belt. i am assuming i put everything back together and on right because i started it and the engine turned over. drove it around the block after warming it up and felt fine.

i check the valve clearance and it was fine, did the spark plug thing too.

my question is, aside from the compression test, is there any other way to find out if the engine is still good? from the way it sounds and drives it feels much better that it did before the belt was damaged. any advice would help. i am just proud that i did my timing belt for the first time and it went well even though it took a week (had to gather all the parts and tools to make the job easier).

A dyno test would enable you to understand the engine performance.

Apart from that, normal items that should be taken into consideration are :
1. Oil consumption.
2. Engine noise level.
3. Any factors such as overheating.

i will keep note of the that. i actually drove the car around town yesterday. no overheating. i will keep tabs on the oil consumption also. thanks!