BajaNomad - URGENT: Broken Timing Chain in Guerre Negro, need suggestions

URGENT: Broken Timing Chain in Guerre Negro, need suggestions

bobbyjames - 1-31-2020 at 10:00 AM

car at a shop, loaded as I am moving to La Paz...
looking for a person to load the car and take it to la paz...any ideas?

gnukid - 1-31-2020 at 10:13 AM

Either way you need a place to stay for the night, can you get towed by rope to a hotel, Cowboy or Malarimo or other spot to strategize and secure your stuff, likely it will take a few days to setup the tow. Nomads can recommend more secure place, I think Cowboy has gated parking?

Talk Baja has many tow people referenced - I would guess flat bed tow truck is US$1000-2000 and US$1000 to pull the motor and replace the timing chain though it could be much cheaper depending on find the parts and reliable mechanic there in GN - could be just $US200-300 but timing chain failure often results in damage to motor requiring rebuilt motor and many parts or new/used motor.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/TalkBaja/search/?query=tow&a...

What kind of car? Specific model/year/motor?

Is the motor damaged? Did it throw a rod? If not, it's not the parts can perhaps be delivered to a mechanic fix it there to drop the motor and replace the timing chain and gear, the parts can be delivered by bus if they are not there? I can look for timing chain and gear and gaskets for you in La Paz?

Towing it requires a flat bed trailer, truck or proper dolly, that depends on the vehicle type?

[Edited on 1-31-2020 by gnukid]

gnukid - 1-31-2020 at 10:16 AM

No experience with any of these people but they do towing/moving in Baja

Terry Curtis Any Questions ? Need Help ? ☎️ Call us 612 688 1533 🚛612 688 1533 todossantosmail@gmail.com

MexUSA All Over
Need help moving to Mexico serving all Tijuana, Rosarito, Ensenada, San Felipe , Puerto Peñasco all California, Nevada and Arizona .. Based here in San Diego we also offer local mover .. call text or msj here today for a quote 619-634-8963 Danny

Buck Baker https://www.facebook.com/buck.baker.33

Francisco Salvatierra
Towing services from DJ pescadero to quote the service
612 167 8235
(I'm guessing this is Mexican phone so dial accordingly)

Gruas LA Paz https://www.facebook.com/grua.la.paz/
Gabriel Fernandez Higuera
612 108 5248

Econo Gruas La Paz
Raul Cota
612 108 3199

Baja Powerhouse
http://www.bajapowerhouse.com
646 160 2454

Gruas Rentalo
612 108 5248

[Edited on 1-31-2020 by gnukid]

JZ - 1-31-2020 at 10:41 AM

If there isn't a flat bed in GN, I'd look for one in Santa Rosalia or La Paz.

Got to be one in La Paz.

David K - 1-31-2020 at 10:47 AM

Baja has great mechanics, surely someone can fix it in Guerrero Negro?

bajarickster - 1-31-2020 at 10:56 AM

hey Bob, looks like you're getting some response. i'm still looking here in La Paz but with the Dia De Candlearia holiday this weekend, it's going to be tough. it's a 3 day event so relax and have some atole and tamales with the locals and go whale watching. we'll figure something out

dravnx - 1-31-2020 at 12:22 PM

A broken timing chain is death to most engines as they are interference engines. That means if the pistons and valves are out of time, they will impact each other.

KasloKid - 1-31-2020 at 12:44 PM

I think he just wants to get his car to La Paz so he can deal with it there.

Don Pisto - 1-31-2020 at 01:00 PM

Quote: Originally posted by KasloKid

I think he just wants to get his car to La Paz so he can deal with it there.

true but its a non interference engine it would make sense to have it repaired in GN......either way good luck and happy motoring

larryC - 1-31-2020 at 02:58 PM

If it was me I would have it repaired in GN and save the towing charge. GN is an industrial town with lots of mechanic shops. You won't have any trouble there finding a reputable shop to repair it.

Call Shari for mechanic recommendation

John M - 1-31-2020 at 04:27 PM

Shari at Bahia Asuncion I know has recommended good mechanics in either Guerrero Negro or Vizciano.

US Phone - 619-906-8438
Mex phone - 615-155-7197 ( do not have the prefix readily available)

John M

RocketJSquirrel - 1-31-2020 at 04:51 PM

Just get it fixed. Towing presents a whole 'nother set of problems.

Probably cheaper to get it fixed than to get it towed. It's a LONG way to La Pax.

Don't freak out. Just get a decent room to stay in, secure parking and get it sorted out.

People here are very decent and will happy to help you and earn a buck or two helping you. They work for such modest amounts, you have nothing to fear - like dealing with a mechanic shop in the USA where real robbery occurs daily.

BajaRat - 2-1-2020 at 10:30 AM

Enjoy GN,
Malarimo Restaurant Hotel could arrange a longer term solution, you lock your stuff up while seeing what this will cost
If you’re lucky the price of the avoided tow will pay off with Whale watching, good food and one more Baja adventure
Lionel :cool:

Alan - 2-1-2020 at 11:54 AM

I should arrive in GN Friday evening so stay in touch and let me know if you have this resolved by then.

4x4abc - 2-1-2020 at 12:58 PM

another one of those posts where many members dig up collective knowledge to help - but the OP disappears into thin air after the first post

AKgringo - 2-1-2020 at 01:42 PM

More unsolicited collective knowledge; an interference engine will probably need at least repairs to the cylinder head, but possibly not!

I spun a few teeth off of the timing belt 0n a 2.0L Kia engine, so it went out of timing with the camshafts still all linked together. Major damage, $1200 dollar repair!

The most recent timing belt damage was to another Kia, same engine. This one broke straight across, so the valves were able to be pushed back up without being linked into an intact belt.

We put a new belt on it and did a compression test before going into removing the cylinder head. One cylinder was ten PSI lower than the others, so we put it back together with relatively minor labor costs, and it runs fine.

I know the OP didn't ask for this, but hey...we can talk!

thebajarunner - 2-1-2020 at 03:26 PM

Another solution..... a short haul down to Viscaino.
I always thought, it I had a serious vehicle breakdown that would be the place to get it fixed
That town is just one great big automotive repair shop.....

And I too am wondering where the OP has gone.....
"Gone With the Wind" I guess....

pacificobob - 2-1-2020 at 04:02 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bobbyjames

car at a shop, loaded as I am moving to La Paz...
looking for a person to load the car and take it to la paz...any ideas?

Urgent?? To me that means there's some bleeding or something is on fire. A timing chain is marginally qualified for that label.

shari - 2-1-2020 at 07:04 PM

I just got back from the lagoon...if you need a secure place to put stuff I have it as I am in Guerrero Negro. Chepe is an epic trustworthy mechanic and can at least tell you what you might do and he would know about flat beds etc too.
my number is 615 155 7197 or find me at Hotel Baja Oasis in the late afternoons & evenings

micah202 - 2-3-2020 at 04:01 PM

Quote: Originally posted by larryC

If it was me I would have it repaired in GN and save the towing charge. GN is an industrial town with lots of mechanic shops. You won't have any trouble there finding a reputable shop to repair it.

Could be a great place to apply 'the Mexican solution', find a matching wrecked vehicle and just switch engines out ...... though you may want to service the TC on the replacement!**

....**... though a trained eye can confirm a TC change was 'likely' done or not, by looking for tool wear in on the bolts involved. That was the judgement given to my current ride, a '99 Sienna.

[Edited on 2-3-2020 by micah202]

mtgoat666 - 2-3-2020 at 06:40 PM

Quote: Originally posted by 4x4abc

another one of those posts where many members dig up collective knowledge to help - but the OP disappears into thin air after the first post

It is likely he did not get what he wanted but he already found what he needed, and got satisfaction, eh? :light:

gnukid - 2-4-2020 at 08:07 AM

What are symptoms one can use to determine if the timing chain needs to be replaced if the vehicle has more than 100k miles?

BornFisher - 2-4-2020 at 08:21 AM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666

It is likely he did not get what he wanted but he already found what he needed, and got satisfaction, eh? :light:

Sounds reasonable. Then most likely he decided to just let it bleed!

AKgringo - 2-4-2020 at 08:37 AM

Quote: Originally posted by gnukid

What are symptoms one can use to determine if the timing chain needs to be replaced if the vehicle has more than 100k miles?

There may be no symptoms prior to failure, but there may be an unusual noise, or possible water pump leakage. If you do not have reliable service records on a 100k vehicle, you must remove enough parts to do a visual inspection.

I recently bought an Isuzu Trooper with only 106k, and the belt appeared to be in good condition, but I went ahead and changed out the belt, water pump, and tensioner anyway. Better to do it at home, rather go through what the OP may or may not be dealing with right now!

[Edited on 2-4-2020 by AKgringo]

Hook - 2-4-2020 at 08:37 AM

Quote: Originally posted by gnukid

What are symptoms one can use to determine if the timing chain needs to be replaced if the vehicle has more than 100k miles?

I'm not sure you would notice anything, as they approach failure. That's why car manufacturers just put it in the regularly scheduled maintenance category. Much like the timing belt that has replaced it on so many cars.

bajatrailrider - 2-4-2020 at 08:39 AM

If the gear on crankshaft is fiber 80,000 to hundred thousand . miles. They can go a lot longer on some models. If it has a steel gear on bottom they go more time. Many cars have rubber timing belt. They can snap 80,000 miles to 150,000 on those . You also change tensioners and guilds.

caj13 - 2-4-2020 at 08:54 AM

Quote: Originally posted by gnukid

What are symptoms one can use to determine if the timing chain needs to be replaced if the vehicle has more than 100k miles?

first, check to see if your engine does use a timing belt - or is it using a timing chain. chain, I really dont worry about it, but if its a belt
manufacture recommends an interval. may be as little as 60K miles, or up to 100K. i stretch their recomendation 10 - 20% and then have it changed, and while they are in there, do the water pump as well, should be no extra labor, just cost for the pump.

mojo_norte - 2-4-2020 at 08:54 AM

Some vehicles have timing chains. Some have timing belts. Timing belts wear out and break and should be replaced at intervals - usually 60-80K. Chains rarely break but wear with age and start to make noise and can wear a hole in the timing cover .

gnukid - 2-4-2020 at 09:27 AM

Ye just changed the timing chain, gear, water pump and oil pump on my 55 year old slant six daily driver in Baja, it was worn and seems happier now.

I would like to change it on my 351w with 135k mikes but there is no sign of an issue, yet? Argh!

bajatrailrider - 2-4-2020 at 09:56 AM

Slant 6 Dodge engine bullet proof one of best ever made. Now just throwaway cars.

David K - 2-4-2020 at 11:12 AM

My 2001 Tacoma with a 3.4 liter V-6 had a timing belt, the recommended replacement interval was 90,000 miles. I had it done then, and replaced the water pump at the same time since it was all exposed and easy to do, plus there was a drip (so they told me, but I never had seen water leak).

My 2005 & 2010 Tacomas with a 4.0 liter V-6 have a timing chain, nothing bad has happened (yet)!

Don Pisto - 2-4-2020 at 11:20 AM

timing GEAR.....love the sound!

mojo_norte - 2-4-2020 at 11:31 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

My 2001 Tacoma with a 3.4 liter V-6 had a timing belt, the recommended replacement interval was 90,000 miles. I had it done then, and replaced the water pump at the same time since it was all exposed and easy to do, plus there was a drip (so they told me, but I never had seen water leak).

My 2005 & 2010 Tacomas with a 4.0 liter V-6 have a timing chain, nothing bad has happened (yet)!

Yes, Toyota has gone back to chains at least on their truck engines. I was quite surprised that my 2018 Subaru Crosstrek also has a chain w/ no scheduled maintenance

del mar - 2-4-2020 at 11:52 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Don Pisto

timing GEAR.....love the sound!

love the whine but difficult to do on the OHC!