Engine Blown Up!?

[Nick V]

Hi folks

My K reg LS400 passed its MOT today after 40,000 miles this year. It has about 110K on the clock.

After 600 miles on Friday I noticed that there was a definite squeak from the usually silent engine. Today whilst driving along I noticed a smell like burning rubber and pulled over. Then I noticed smoke from the bonnet. Gently I liffted the edge of the bonnet and there were no flames so panic over. A few minutes later I looked again and assumed it must be drive belt related. Having removed the shrouds above I then restarted the engine and no smoke from the drive belt but suddenly a load from the area of the plastic cover on the n/s cam cover. I cut the engine sharpish.

The engine runs smoothly and temperature is fine. Might this be "simply" the cam belt breaking up or tensioner failure - slightly ahead of schedule but it has had a hard year and the last change was probably 8 years ago (it did little early life mileage being a Guernsey car).

I have left it where it stopped (safe residential street) but before I get the AA out any thoughts? (I'd hate to miss anything obvious and simple).

Finally any thoughts on where to get a full cam / water pump change in Herts. other than Lexus.

Cheers

Nick

[ROYT]

Based on the smell of burning rubber and the fact it stopped dead, your diagnosis of a failed cambelt

sounds correct!

Check nothing else has siezed up, w/pump or idler etc to cause it...

[Nick V]

Thanks for the input. The engine still runs fine other than the smoke so will check that nothing else has seized first but to coin a phrase - it is like being a pelican, all I can see is a big bill.

Ta

Nick

Based on the smell of burning rubber and the fact it stopped dead, your diagnosis of a failed cambelt

sounds correct!

Check nothing else has siezed up, w/pump or idler etc to cause it...

[Steve ( West Mids )]

If cambelt had failed then I'm sure the car would not start and drive. Think you need a AA / mechanic to look at it first.

What colour is the smoke?

[Rob]

remove the covers for any signs of cambelt damage/rubbing?

[Nick V]

remove the covers for any signs of cambelt damage/rubbing?

Hi Folks

Thanks for the suggestions. Bit the bullet and had the AA take it to JEM in Colindale who I can thoroughly recommend.

Had a timing belt, drive belt, water pump and tensioner changed plus decided to get the diff oil and all important but blisteringly expensive auto box fluid changed.

One of the rollers was seizing causing the belt to heat up - caught in time. Have to say though that the overall condition of the old belt was very good given it is probably 10 years since last done.

Cheers

Nick

[jamesholden]

remove the covers for any signs of cambelt damage/rubbing?

blisteringly expensive auto box fluid changed.

Make sure they used proper Toyota autobox fluid and not off the shelf stuff.