I would have to agree that it's not really right (I'm an engineer too). I
have a couple of 3.3's, and they're the same way. My dad has one, and his
water pump locked up without warning and killed the timing belt. I don't
recall ever seeing a locked up water pump before, so I think it was a freak
thing. Since the old 3.3's are freewheeling, it was fairly harmless. On a
later model it would be the pits.

I certainly understand what they're going through from my own experience.
Still, I don't think the EPA has outlawed timing chains and gears, nor do
they require oil pumps, water pumps, balance shafts and other belt-driven
equipment to further entangle whatever's driving the camshaft.

"Anthony" > wrote in message
. ..
> "Richard Ehrenberg" > wrote in
> :
>
> > Actually, I know those engineers. Trust me, they didn't want a "crash"
> > motor any more than you do. They were forced into it by the EPA. Those
> > neat little valve clearance notches in the pistons proved to be a
> > "reservoir" of hydrocarbons that are 'hidden' and won't burn. I.e.,
> > smog. They had to go.
> >
> > But they tried their best. There IS enough clearance so that a belt
> > that has jumped two teeth will NOT cause a crash. And even a one-tooth
> > jump turns on the Czech engine light so you know something's amiss.
> > And they REALLY broke their stones to get 100K belt life on the DOHC.
> >
> > I just did a belt on mine - not a hard job at all. But don't even
> > think about it without the FSM and a torque wrench handy! I suggest
> > replacing the hydraulic tensioner also, and carefully checking
> > (feeling for roughness) the bearings in the tensioner and idler
> > pullies.
> >
> > Rick Ehrenberg
> >
>
> Rick,
> The interference of the valves/pistons is not the concern. I fully
> understand the impact of valve reliefs on emissions. My issue is with
> running ancillary equipment from the timing belt. I realize it makes
> packaging nice and compact, reduces parts in the engine assembly, etc,
> but the combination of failure prone ancillary equipment in the timing
> structure and an interference engine do not go well together.
>
>
> --
> Anthony
>
> You can't 'idiot proof' anything....every time you try, they just make
> better idiots.
>
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