Normally just undo a couple of bolts on the timing cover, pull it back a bit which allows you to be able to see the belt, if its there or not. :D

good thing that Toyota Camry's don't have interference engines , otherwise that engine is pretty much toast , at least on a Toyota they are relatively straight forward , on a Alfa Romeo not so much

Amazing, new belt and it starts right up! I thought that engine was a goner. Long live non interference engines.

Great video Eric. Your ability to show the theory with the techniques of a mechanic is top notch. Thanks.

Great video, very informative. I have seen plenty of engines where you can see the cams spinning (or not as the case may be) though the oil filler cap. Nothing wrong with your steps but its a good 'quick and dirty' check to add to the list.

Someone following information in this video can be under the impression that it is a good idea to turn the engine over using the starter, with the timing belt off. This is generally a bad idea. If the engine being worked on is an interference engine 'where the valves can collide with the pistons if not in sync' with the starter engaged and the timing belt removed, it can bend valves! Eric, it is probably a bad idea to use a car with a non-interference engine, as it can cause confusion and worse, engine damage may occur. Precautions must be taken to ensure that the relationship between the camshaft(s) and crankshaft remains in sync for interference engines. Given the scenario that the timing belt hasn’t jumped time, then removing it and turning the engine over with the starter, bad things can happen. I’m a big supporter of your channel. Watch every new episode of yours and have learned a lot from you. Keep up the good work!

Sometimes i look through the oil cap

Who else wishes that there was a full video on replacing the timing belt on this car?

So i just got done watching your video called “basics of car parts” from 2012 and wow you have changed a lot. Well of course.

Thank you for the bonus footage. Us Carolina boys like to see the carnage and the fix!

This is perfect timing. I'll show myself out.

Even though you did this 4 years ago you might look a little grayer but hey I appreciate it man cuz videos like this wow I wish there was more like them all right be safe and thank you very much Matt U.S. MARINE VETERAN

You're a more patient man than I Ezza. I would have have removed the oil cap and looked inside, or as you said the dizzy diamond capilious. That said, you are a legend Ezza, an you fixed it!! Ezza (Sir Eric) is a modern legend I'd suggest.

Eric, on some cars you can remove the oil filler cap and watch the cam shaft and rocker arms when cranking the engine over. If the cam and rockers don’t move the timing belt may have stripped teeth. Thanks for the videos!

Thanks for showing that even if you have no compression it can be the timing belt and not a bad engine.

Right at the end... "Thanks for watching..." And I immediately started thinking the way AvE signs off for some reason.

good to have a customer car in the shop, do more.

Eric, I'm surprised you didn't try the simplest and dirtiest option. Just unscrew the oil cap and look at the cam turning, or not (maybe it's a car specific). No possibly destructive disassembly needed.

On the engines I work on: Take the timing belt cover off (two clips) Inspect the timing belt.

Old school ETCG diag vid.. Iove it!

That's a good reason for people getting the timing belt replaced on a schedule. No one does it untill it's too late and possibly damages the engine. Depending on design. :-(

Timing chains are the best thing ever

Hey Eric it's Kyle, the blind guy. I did a timing belt job on a 99 contour

Excellent diagnosis, Eric! Pretty simple and easy to do. Any chance of a video on what you just did....?

Good video. Thanks for taking the time to explain things.

I just open the oil cap and look to see if the cam spins while someone starts it. Way easier than any of this.

In many cases you can just remember the oil filler cap and crank the engine while looking through the oil filler cap hole. You should be able to see if the camshafts are rotating. Something times removing one the CAM sensor is easier and quicker.

Thanks ERIC always clear and entertaining, think I have the same thing. Lexus IS200 auto 1999, parked up and started it daily while not using until one morning it didn't ,appeared to be flat battery so charged it. starter spins and not turning over. Reason I 'm posting this is if I put it in Drive /Reverse I can roll it forward or backward and I'm fairly certain that's not right either.

Had one that I suspected had a broken timing belt, but when I pulled the cover off the timing belt looked intact and tight. Didn't see any broken or damaged hardware but it had all the symptoms of a timing belt. Went through similar diagnostics as Eric. Scratched my head for a while. Cranked the engine while putting the Mk I eyeball on the cam. Engine cranked fast, but the cam didn't move. How the hell can you have a tight timing belt and have the crank turn but not the cam?!?! Pulled the timing belt. The crank had scooped all of the teeth off of the timing belt right there at that one spot and left the rest of the belt undamaged. Wish I'd saved that belt to show folks.

On January 1sr, my 17 yrs old car stalled on highway, and cannot restart. ODB code for cam position sensor failure. I opened the timing belt cover and found out it was a broken timing belt.

Non interference engine. I have a 99 Toyota rav4 same sound. Did a compression test also . Broke timing belt on s 95 honda odyssey whole different ballgame bent valves

Great video! very informative

Car makers should just put clear plastic timing belt covers on all engines as standard, just on the top part is enough, not just when it snaps but to casualy check its condition, or just make it easier to remove, if i have to take off rocker cover to get to it of corse i wont bother

Knowledge is power! Thanks Eric!

Thanks for sharing Eric👍

Thank you. I needed that closure.

I had a 1984 Accord with a manual transmission. I was on the highway going 60+ when the timing belt broke. At the time I lost all power and didn't know it was the timing belt. I immediately put it in neutral and coasted to the shoulder. I think that car had an interference engine but somehow I suffered no damage at all. How lucky was I? Was throwing it in neutral what saved me?

What a solid chunk of vehicle.

Why I replace the timing belt on my Tdi diesel every 2-4 years. It’s $50 for oem part and it’s good to look around every few years. It will prevent a breakdown on the side of the road. Even if you just notice a coolant leak or something. It’s cheaper than having a mechanic take a look at your car.

Hi Eric i think I will title my comment ( NUTS) I took a big chance , I was far from home with my 1992 diesel golf the belt broke left the car in a farmers yard went back the next day put on a new belt and drove home on 3 cylinders with puffs of white smoke following me home , result a bent exhaust valve pistons were o k ended up doing a engine rebuild . All ways enjoy your vids thank for listening .

I could've used this video about 4 months ago Eric, my 89 camry had a busted timing belt but I'm a noob, and 2 friends that are very much car guys couldn't work it out, that both picked it had no spark so I checked the distributor and it wasn't turning so I worked out it was the timing belt, after almost losing my job due to taking a few days to work out the actual problem

Good job Eric👍👍👍👍

Well that was convenient that it broke down in front of your shop, and yes thankfully it wasn’t an interference engine. I see the valve cover gasket is leaking so I’m assuming you replaced that as well. Those are great cars and I’m sure that it will continue to last a very long time.

What was the result after replacing timing belt did it bend valves or not?

Thanks bro for the explanation

Didn't mention a very important issue. Yeah, only if your engine is non-interference. If I were to do this on my Honda it would have probably bent some valves from the top of the pistons hitting them. Couldn't you just take the oil cap off and watch for cam activity also?...Thanks Eric. Always love your videos...

You have to love a Camry ......and those 2liters and 2.2 motors ...lol

On many cars, you can remove the oil fill cap to see if the rockers move while someone attempts to start the vehicle. If the belt is broken, they will not move when cranking the engine over.

My Nissan versa note sv has started to jerk and the rpm arm gets stuck and goes back and forth between 1 and 3 ?

So many times i have wished that manufacturers would provide a small inspection cover into the top timing belt cover. would be great for checking if your belt is still in one piece - like in this instance, but it would also be great for checking the condition of a belt. If you get a sticky tensioner you would see the wear on the back of the belt. But on a lot of modern cars it is a job in itself just to get the top timing belt cover off. A little inspection hatch would be so good.

Hi gud day mr eric iam a pilipino im every day check your video

long time ago a broke a timing belt in a honda accord. They towed my car to a garage and the guy there showed me a quick and dirty way to see if the timing belt broke......just take off the oil cap and look inside for movement while you are cranking. Naturally , this doesn't work for a slipped belt but is good for a broken belt or if many teeth are missing on the belt.

The shop said that the crankshaft seal and camshaft seal have been leaking and that oil got on the new timing belt ( well 6 month old fairly new) and with that hot oil and excessive heat it snapped the belt in 2 pieces so they have to replace both seals and belt ...the question is can those 2 bad seals get the timing belt snap in 2 like that???? Toyota Camry 1999 2,2 L 4cyl auto.

Is it a good idea to crank an engine with suspected broken timing belt? Could this make more damage to the engine?

Had one of mine snap on the motorway in the fast lane, 110KPH then the engine goes silent. I managed to get to the shoulder then turned the key to get that depressing no-compression sound .Took the head off, and it had taken one valve clean off, snapping it at the stem! Never assume the previous owner had the common sense to change it when due.

Awesome video bro I appreciate you U.S. MARINE VETERAN

Used to have a 91 Honda Civic. Was leaving a gas station one day and the whole car just shuts off. Pulled over and tried to crank it and it was making same sound as car etcg is working on in this video. Had no resistance at all. It was also the timing belt. So The old Honda d-series engines are non-interference as well. Didn't do any damage. The 3.0 Toyota v6 engines found in the old pickups r also Non interference

Would your methods be the same if it were an interference engine?

I’m glad i know how to work on cars.

Easiest way- Take the oil cap off and look at the valvetrain while someone cranks the engine, it should be moving. If it's not, the timing belt is broken. This works on most engines and doesn't require any tools.

Thank you that's the problem on my car

Does every brand engine react differently with a broken timing belt? I know b that with old 90s Honda engines if the timing belt goes, usually the car goes to the crusher.

3:44 He speaks car! Thanks for this great video. Xoxox

I’m doing a motor swap on a 99, replacement is a 96 engine. I have several components to transfer over to make it work. The 96 had just had all timing components and water pump replaced prior to my son crashing it. 🙄

That was really helpful thanks Eric !

You can still crank the engine if the timing belt is broken? Is there potential for further damage if you do this?

Great informative video Eric

You can easily tell on a Chevy Vega because the fan and water pump stops turning. Also, that is all that happens and you can put a new belt on with a new water pump gasket.

Some engines, remove the oil fill cap and crank engine. If cams turn, belt is isnt broken.

On my Honda, if this were to happen, I can easily open the oil fill cap, and look in as the engine is cranked. If the camshaft/ valves don't move, broken belt.

Why did you get some compression on one of the cylinders?

My timing belt failed twice on a 1983 Honda Civic S and it kept on going after fixing. I do however think the valves bent as it sounded a bit raspy afterwards.

Is it true that if that motor was an interference motor turning it over with a broken belt will bend the valve. Just asking.

If u can see the rocker arms under the oil fill cap, turn over the engine and if the rocker arms don't move the timing belt is broke.

On many engines, you can just look into the oil fill hole in the valve cover, and see if you can see the camshaft or rocker arms moving....

Change oil pump gasket while you're in there it is a common leak on Camrys.

Thanks Eric for another great video!! Have 89 Toyota 4x4 3.0 engine just bought it guy said it just died going down road thinks It's timing belt but has sit for several year's I turned it over by hand turned bout half round got pretty hard to turn is that normal

Hi Eric, could you tell me if the timing belt will break suddenly without any sign/warning/symptom??? I have an odyssey, but cannot tell if the last owner replaced or not. No any records either. The mileage is 110K. I opened the cover and see the belt looks fine; teeth are good; no crack on the surface.

Great Video Eric!

I have the EXACT work light, just a different name brand!!

Thanks so much. Good info and process

Every video I watch about a car engine, the alternator sits right there at the top easier to reach than the wiper liquid bottle, while mine took 4 hours and 2 engine supports removed to be taken out...

Happy Valentine's Day Eric!

my 2004 honda accord timing belt and water pump has broken, the mechanic told me to change my engine. Does it affect my engine?

Many years ago, I saw a bunch of guys in a parking lot trying to jump start a car. It was cranking fast like it shouldn't. I asked them what happened. The driver said the engine suddenly stopped and then wouldn't start again. I thought them they were going to get it started because the timing belt was broken. "No. We'll get it started." When I came out of the store about an hour later, they were STILL trying to get it started. It was still there two days late.

Can a rip timing belt while driving bend some valves?

How about a link to the light that was mounted across the hood?

The lifters moving up and down?

Shouldn't be any bent Valves Eric... 5s-fe is a non-interference engine thankfully

super helpful thanks man

Erick how many miles did the Camry have ??? Had they ever replaced the timing belt on that car ??? I had a 98 Camry until the head gasket went at 500,000 miles..

Did it have bent valves?

Do to a broken timing belt can my 99 toyota camry engine siese the engine, 4 cylinder. Does no interference apply??

I personally think you get more bang for your buck with an Avalon, and I like a 6( hell I like an 8 cylinder car;) but I had a 98 Camry ( one of the ugliest cars I ever had, BUT it wouldn’t quit. 487000 miles. I am an old lady now and was sick and couldn’t change my own oil. Got a coupon to do it. They didn’t put the oil filter in;( Lost it and car on I-10 going 85 mph( heh I am old not dead;) You drive 85 where I live on I-10 or you die. Good work! Thanks so much

Would it have been a good idea to open the throttle when doing g a compression test, let some air in the engine

Take the oil cap off and check to see if the cam is spinning.

Hands up. Busted

So i replaced my altanator from my old 94 civic and put it on my 95 civic and my ground wire from the battery termanal sparked that attached to the car as soon as i turn the car over it sparks need help asap

Looking under the oil cap is probably the easiest way to see if the valves are moving or not.

Just had a timing belt on my works diesel transit go last week, when I had it recovered to a local garage when they checked first just by listening when turning it over no compression, looked in the oil filler and there looked like bits of rubber?