O.K. To all the mechanics out there, we could use some helpful advice

Vanity | 09/04/2002 | Tybee Island

[TYBEEISLAND]

Hello to all the freeper mechanics out there, We have a 1986 Suburu, its our only mode of transportation, and its broken down.. It was running fine, and just stopped like it ran out of gas, but thats not it. I've checked the coil with a test light, both sides (positive and negative) from the battery and the distributer, and they have charge, no spark comes from main coil wire to the distributer cap center, we've pulled the distributer cap and the rotor does not turn when we engage the ignition. We've replaced the coil with 2 different ones and its still not running. Also, don't know if this is important or not, but the other day the wind shield wipers just quit. We are not mechanicly inclined as you can tell. Could this be a spark plug problem? This is our only car, and its a real problem getting to work without a car. I've posted on a couple of other car sites but I figured freepers are the best, so here it is. Any advise will be greatly (GREATLY) appeciated

[TYBEEISLAND]

Thanks in advance for your help......

[Vidalia]

You and your vehicle are obviously victims of an Alien Abduction.

It is the same story from each victim almost ver batim.

Don't you hate it when that happens...?

[rednek]

"we've pulled the distributer cap and the rotor does not turn when we engage the ignition"

sounds like the the gears on either the distributor or camshaft are gone. pull the distributor, the whole thing not just the cap, and see what is left.

regards - red

[bluesagewoman]

Timing belt?

[RightWhale]

the rotor does not turn when we engage the ignition

It should if the starter motor is cranking the engine.

[Grut]

I don't know anything about Subarus (aside from their tendency to rust) but if this was a VW Rabbit I'd suspect a broken timing belt.

[TYBEEISLAND]

Starter motor is cranking the engine, its a 4 wheel drive, the timing circuit ignition module is shown not inside the distibuter, (coming from Haynes, automotive book) is that a possibilty? How do we check?

[PoorMuttly]

Have you tried "Click and Clack, the tappet brothers" from (gulp) NPR's Car Talk?

Perhaps cartalk.com, I think.

Otherwise, Art Bell may have a theory.

[TYBEEISLAND]

Yes, thats where I posted first.. but no reply as of yet, I keep checking though. Thanks, Art Bell was my next choice...lol

[Kush]

Did you try taking it to a repair shop. No insult intended!

[TYBEEISLAND]

No, that was our first thought, but we are accepting donations! LOL LOL We're broke actually and I thought I'd try here first...You can send your donations to PO Box **** just kidding

[spunkets]

"1986 Suburu,... the rotor does not turn when we engage the ignition.

You broke a timing belt.

[RightWhale]

When the engine is cranking over, the rotor inside the distributor must turn. See it you can turn the rotor with your fingers without the engine running. If you can, a gear or gear belt is off or broken inside someplace.

[Le-Roy]

Listen to the folks who say it's the timing belt. Check that first, and get back to us.

[PoorMuttly]

He's on the Mothership. Give it a few minutes.

Anyway, I'm sure he already "knows" your question. These things take time. Haven't parked on any crop circles lately, have you?

[Vigilantcitizen]

I'd be inclined to agree with the majority of posters, sounds like you broke a timing belt, which is not a good thing to have in an overhead cam engine.

BTW...The official vacation spot for the viligantcitizen family is Tybee. Gotta love it..

[I still care]

My son is a mechanic. He looked at your post for 2 seconds and said, "Timing Belt".

[Freedom4US]

Timing belts are also critical in one other important aspect -- many, though not all, OHV/C engines are of an 'interference' design -- if the belt breaks or slips pistons will physically strike valves as the timing shifts radically. If this is the case prudence and thrift dictates you should look for a new or rebuilt engine, as the cost for repair is vanishingly close to a complete replacement apart from the longterm reliability of the repaired engine.

[blau993]

Ditch the Subaru and ride a Moose to work.