91 VR4 overheating issue... kooky ...

[CoopKill]

That's pretty much a 60k.

The coolant in that area could be from a few sources, your turbo coolant lines are close to there. Before you go off course you need to follow the advice already given. I did not read back through ths again, but I assume you replaced the thermostat or we would not be still discussing this.

A: Pressure test. (tells you you have a leak, but not where)
B: Rent a hydrocarbon tester, or tow to a shop with one. (tells you ifyou have a head gasket issue)
C: Do not assume, or ask what else until you return with these results.

[GTOJOE]

I didn't realise you are using a cheap ebay water pump. It's possible the pump has failed and is not pushing coolant. However you need to sort out all leaks first.

[dudewith91vr4]

Back to working on this car ... coop, the vehicle doesn't have a head gasket problem.. no coolant leaks anymore, holds pressure just fine. going to screw in new thermo switches (even though it won't fix the problem). On ebay, i see mb660664 listed for almost $80.00, shipped, and mb660663 for about $30.. should one be almost 3 times the price of the other?

[box]

going to screw in new thermo switches (even though it won't fix the problem).

I don't even.....this pretty much sums up the last 7 pages.

[dudewith91vr4]

SOLVED! ... errrr.. i think! i finally took the top timing covers off and bumped the engine to get the timing marks on all 4 cams close, one cam is off by a tooth... told my mechanic this and he suggested that it might not be at dtc (i guess he meant on an exhaust stroke instead of intake, or vice versa)... so i bumped the crank around once more, same cam is off by a tooth... you guys have been very helpful, learned a lot about this vehicle, and i'm impressed with it!

note: some owners insist that the vehicle will run like crap if the timing is off by a tooth... this vehicle still runs strong, but you can hear it missing a little bit, and it will quickly overheat, as described above.. btw, the belt tension seems fine.. going to reset timing ... thanks again.. i will post results, because nothing pisses us all off more than a long arse thread without closure ..

p.s. can i use that multiple credit cards under the belt trick to adjust the timing with the engine cold and the tensioner loaded. or do i absolutely have to take everything apart? links would be sweet!

[anyonebutme]

You didn't hear this from me, but take a piece of pencil and let it go through that cam pulley while you turn over engine by hand. One way moves cam 1 tooth one way, and spinning the engine backwards will move it 1 tooth the other way. I forgot which is which, go to town. BY HAND. I've also done it with a bolt wrapped in electrical tape, and whatever else I had handy.

[OhioSpyderman]

You didn't hear this from me, but take a piece of pencil and let it go through that cam pulley while you turn over engine by hand. One way moves cam 1 tooth one way, and spinning the engine backwards will move it 1 tooth the other way. I forgot which is which, go to town. BY HAND. I've also done it with a bolt wrapped in electrical tape, and whatever else I had handy.

While "anyone" doesn't look anything like his sig, he is one VERY intelligent, helpful member....

I would do what he said and hope for the best....

Bob.

[dudewith91vr4]

now i've moved the two cams closest to the front bumper off by 1 or 2 teeth... this is gettin' out of hand ... will loosening the main tensioner give me enough slack to set all 4 cams and the crankshaft to tdc, or do i have to remove/replace the auto tensioner with one that has a pin and start from scratch? How do i find true TDC on the crank shaft? the mechanic who set this timing could've overlooked true TDC as well ... 1 step forward, 2 steps back... smh

[anyonebutme]

My suggestion right now is to stop. Don't touch anything until you download the factory service manual on 3sx's website. Read how to set the timing. Actually, just read the whole thing, because the section about checking ignition timing would answer how to check tdc.

The stock crank pulley has a mark you can line up with the tdc indicator on the belt cover. At this point, it sounds like your best bet is to do the entire 60k.

[dudewith91vr4]

ok abm ... best part.. the mechanic who ef'd it up to begin with avoids this car like the plague .. what a joke ... i don't think he installed the tensioner correctly, with the snake eyes above the bolt (and i'm sure he didn't have the tool) ... i'm also missing the wheel lock key .. found the tensioner tool for $10 and the wheel lock key (i think) for $15 on ebay ... now the car has to sit in my garage for another 10 days because of a lazy turd mechanic.. unreal