Replaced timing belt - engine died

[Pigcat]

Greetings,
Had the timing belt (water pump, belts, tensioner, thermostat, hoses etc) installed.  Drove truck about 20 miles and started hearing a loud "tick tick tick".  On way back to shop, the truck lost all power.  Engine would start but no power, rpm etc.  Similar to when the air intake gets separated from motor.  Had truck towed to shop.  Initial thought from shop is the "belt slipped a tooth"   If the belt is slipping or not attached isn't that the same as having it break?  Shop said no  They're going to tear it down to try and find out what's up.  Question to you all - is the motor fried?  What are your thoughts?  I don't have much faith in having the shop try and rebuild the motor if its toast.  If motor is gone, do you think I can demand that they have it towed to dealer to be repaired at the shop's cost?
Thanks.
Tom

[Bobby B.]

Our engines are "interference engines," meaning if the timing belt breaks, pistons can hit valves and stuff bends/breaks.  Very bad if that happens, but sometimes you get lucky.

Slipping a tooth is, imho, unlikely.  There is a tensioner assembly with 3 parts in there; perhaps they didn't do it right.  I had all that stuff replaced when I had mine done so all would be new and there would be none of that "new parts not liking the old parts" syndrome.  Did they replace all of these parts properly?

Here's a link that shows all of the parts:

http://www.courtesyparts.com/nissan-timing-belt-kit-2002-2004-xterra-p-448.html?cPath=532_22_523&

On a side note, there's a small coolant bypass hose tucked in there by the water pump.  You should have that replaced while everything is apart (along with the water pump).  If that goes (and it does) you basically have to tear all that stuff apart to fix it.  Best to have it all done at the same time.

[superslidestyle]

I agree.  Sounds to me like they didn't tighten the belt properly and it jumped several gear teeth which would also throw off the timing.  Just hope that nothing got bent or it wii be in the $1500 range to start.  Also you can't demand that they take it to dealer and pay the repair cost.  They have a warranty guarantee policy in place required by the State and like any other shop, they will now repair it in their shop at their expense.  If anything did get damaged because of bad work, they MUST PAY FOR ALL OF IT.  They are now responsible to fix it.  Now would also be a good time to contact the Better Business Beureau to file a complaint.  (Is that how you spell "beureau"?)

[Pigcat]

Thanks for the feedback.  They showed me all the parts they replaced.  I saw everything in the Courtesy Nissan kit except: seal oil camshaft, seal oil crankshaft, stud tensioner, spring tensioner and water pump gasket. 

I'm hoping it is just the timing off.  Nothing "popped", I just started loosing power and quickly went to nothing.  It would start but no power.

Guess I'll hear from them tomorrow.  Guess sometimes its worth paying the extra $700 at the dealer

[XterracerX]

I know a service guy at Mossy that would replace your timing belt for a fraction of your quote... as long as you have all the parts. Let me know if you need some work done next time.

[Pigcat]

I just called the shop for an update.  I was told the truck will be down for a few days.  Apparently, they didn't tighten a cam bolt so the cam "wobbled" around and they are now in search of a cam.  What cam bolt do you loosen when replacing the timing belt  They said they need to replace the cam before they can determine if anything else happened.  But that, "We're gonna take care of you."    Sounds like I need to get AAA real fast for future towing insurance.  But that won't help out on the trail 

[Soylent Yellow]

Dude, I'm sorry to hear about your troubles.  Hopefully you will get things squared away and be back out on the trails.

[wolfmanX]

My timing belt "slipped" at 84,000 miles.  Threw a code and misfired on two cylinders.  Limped it 40 more miles to the dealer, had the whole shabang replaced.