racerguy

So I work at a shop where an 2000 3.5 Acura RL came in that wouldn't start. One of the other technicians diagnosed this no start as a timing belt that broke and gave them an estimate for an entire engine. Needless to say they did not return to pick the vehicle up, so I applied for the abandoned vehicle title and paid the remaining bill with my company which was just short of $200.

I think this would be the perfect vehicle for my wife. My question is, has anyone ever seen one of these instances where the valves weren't bent? I don't know what speed it was when the belt broke. All I know is that you turn it over and you hear that no compression sound everyone dreads. Any possibility at all of throwing a belt on this car and taking off on down the road?

NightHawk92

I would put a timing belt on it and see if the Engine would run. But I don't think the Timing Alignment marks will even line up anymore. pretty Much that engine is done once the Timing Belt Breaks or snaps specially on a Honda/Acura J series V6 Engine its Game Over.

WanaBeFaster

Why would the timing marks not line up? bent valves or not the gears don't change position. the problem with the RL 3.5 is weak head gaskets and rear main seal leaks. you may can put a belt on it and it be ok, but even if not, you could scrap the car for more than $200.

NightHawk92

well I figure if the belt broke and it ran at least one rotation before the engine stopped running. its possible it would have spin with the belt off at least a tooth or so. again this is my possible theory. But yea if any Honda/Acura J series V6 engine breaks a Timing belt its done.

AcuraGirl420

So what was the result?