1994 Mazda 323 Perplexing Engine or Transmission/Gearbox Fa

ZABULLFROG

MEMBER
1994 MAZDA 323

Engine Mechanical problem
1994 Mazda 323 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Manual 28000k miles

Greetings

This vehicle was in need of an overhaul but failed rather dramatically.

Driving rather well until the engine stalled. The starer did not respond due to an existing issue so I needed to push start it. I had been doing this rather often so this may be the cause. Selected reverse and rolled the car backwards down the slope. Once sufficient speed had been attained I released the clutch. The wheels locked and skidded against the tar.

The vehicle was towed home where I pulled the engine from the body. I have stripped the engine and found no major damage other than scrapes on the cam belt. It looks like the cam belt was installed too tight and this jammed. Is this a possibility or could there have been another issue?

1 Reply

RICH CRITES

MECHANIC
75 POSTS

First of all never push start a car in reverse. Always push start in 2nd gear. Cam belts have a tensioner. When you install the cam belt tensioner has a spring to maintain the correct tension. LIf the tensioner was installed correctly the spring on the tensioner would maintain the correct tension. You may have a problem with cam timming, it is easy to get the cam timming off by one tooth. So be sure you turn the engine over by hand, using the a wrench on the crank shaft pulley. Cycle the engine by hand, two or three times to make sure the timing marks on the cam line up correct.