1995 Geo Prizm Logo
Posted on Dec 07, 2010
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91 Prizm; replaced Cam TIming belt. reassembled. 1-3-4-2 OK 4A FE engiine, Calfiornia Specs 91 Prizm; replaced Cam TIming belt because it jumped teeth, killing engine on road. No break but worn teeth. reassembled. with new belt. Replaced all belts, cam timing belt cover Results; Sysmptoms Ran Perfect before belt broke. Checked Compression all cyls OK. 130-150 PSI Now, engine barely turns over runs very rough. Can be run for minutes, rough by careful thottle. maybe 400 rpm after start. Very little RPM change, with throttle blip. Almost no throttle response, engine barely idles New Distributer cap HT cables, and Plugs Checked for spark at all Spark Plugs by removing them. Visual : Sparks at all plug tips with cranking of engine Checked for rotation of cams, Dist Rotor movement All OK. Checked timing marks, Cam gears, crank dimple etc. #1 CYL (Belt end of engine, opposite distributor) @ TDC: On Crankshaft toothed wheel under harmonic balancer, dimple mark, lines up with dimple on block At the same time, Camshaft Gear hole is aligned with dimple on Head, -CHECK, was OK ALL OK. Checked tension on cam belt, OK. Crank Engine, without HT connected. No change in Crank RPM with OPEN/CLOSED THROTTLE. --Vacuum Leak? Checked for fuel flow by removing sparkplugs but laying them each above each port thru camshaft cover... spun engine allowing mixture to push through each spark plug hole. WOW. Spark Plugs ignited mixture out of all 4 holes. Flames, pops from each cyl Checked HT routing each cylinder all OK. Firing Order: 1-3-4-2 OK. What Next? Fuel Pressure? Vacuum Leak? Cam/Crank mis alignment? Fuel Flow? Compression?

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Colin Stickland

Colin Stickland

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  • Geo Master 22,516 Answers
  • Posted on Dec 07, 2010
Colin Stickland
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Joined: Nov 04, 2008
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Take the head off bent valves thats for sure

  • Mitchell RICHMEIER Jul 04, 2020

    changed head gasket had ports done and checked for warppage , it a non interference motor and i didn't drop it but thx.

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0helpful
1answer

I need the timing marks for belt replacement on the 1.6L SOHC 1990 Geo Prizm
1.6 engine, timing belt. 4A not 4AF. F = twin cam.
V.I.N. code 6 not 5, the 5is twin cam 4AFE twin.
the car is a Corolla, and as such info is easy to find on toys,
so that the engine real name is.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_A_engine#4A

so you dont want all the facts? marks and how to set tension correctly? really? at #12 and 18?
getting all this right, makes it GO 60k more miles, (a fact)

the words.
  1. Remove the timing belt covers using procedures described earlier in this section.
  2. If not done as part of the cover removal, rotate the crankshaft clockwise to the TDC/compression position for No. 1 cylinder.
  3. Loosen the timing belt idler pulley to relieve the tension on the belt, move the pulley away from the belt and temporarily tighten the bolt to hold it in the loose position.
  4. Make matchmarks on the belt and both pulleys showing the exact placement of the belt. Mark an arrow on the belt showing its direction of rotation.
  5. Carefully slip the timing belt off the pulleys.
  6. dont move cam, with belt off it warns.
  7. Remove the idler pulley bolt, pulley and return spring.
  8. Use an adjustable wrench mounted on the flats of the camshaft to hold the cam from moving. Loosen the center bolt in the camshaft timing pulley and remove the pulley.
  9. Check the timing belt carefully for any signs of cracking or deterioration. Pay particular attention to the area where each tooth or cog attaches to the backing of the belt. If the belt shows signs of damage, check the contact faces of the pulleys for possible burrs or scratches.
  10. Check the idler pulley by holding it in your hand and spinning it. It should rotate freely and quietly. Any sign of grinding or abnormal noise indicates replacement of the pulley.
  11. Check the free length of the tension spring. Correct length is 38.5mm measured at the inside faces of the hooks. A spring which has stretched during use will not apply the correct tension to the pulley; replace the spring.
  12. If you can test the tension of the spring, look for 8.4 lbs. of tension at 50mm of length. If in doubt, replace the spring.
  13. Reinstall the camshaft timing belt pulley, making sure the pulley fits properly on the shaft and that the timing marks align correctly. Tighten the center bolt to 43 ft. lbs.
  14. Before reinstalling the belt, double check that the crank and camshafts are exactly in their correct positions. The alignment mark on the end of the camshaft bearing cap should show through the small hole in the camshaft pulley and the small mark on the crankshaft timing belt pulley should align with the mark on the oil pump.
  15. Reinstall the timing belt idler pulley and the tension spring. Pry the pulley to the left as far as it will go and temporarily tighten the retaining bolt. This will hold the pulley in its loosest position.
  16. Install the timing belt, observing the matchmarks made earlier. Make sure the belt is fully and squarely seated on the upper and lower pulleys.
  17. Loosen the retaining bolt for the timing belt idler pulley and allow it to tension the belt.
  18. Temporarily install the crankshaft pulley bolt and turn the crank clockwise 2 full revolutions from TDC to TDC. Insure that each timing mark realigns exactly.
  19. Tighten the timing belt idler pulley retaining bolt to 27 ft. lbs.
  20. Measure the timing belt deflection (Tool 23600 B or similar), looking for 5-6mm of deflection at 4.4 pounds of pressure. If the deflection is not correct, readjust the idler pulley by repeating steps 15 through 18.
  21. Remove the bolt from the end of the crankshaft.
  22. Install the timing belt guide onto the crankshaft and install the lower timing belt cover.
  23. Continue reassembly of the timing belt covers as outlined previously in this section.


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Mar 26, 2015 • 1990 Geo Prizm
0helpful
1answer

Why wont my car stay running after it stars?
what engine???????????????????????????
how many miles on it, ever do the belt service> in the operator guide fo the CAM?
doing a full tuneup BY THE BOOK
is not guessing, its called normal service. so you did that (ALMOST).
but what engine option, and the cam belt , did you do the cam belt service per the book? i bet not.
so can your fast right foot keep it running>? (key word STAY)
the car , is really a TOyota Corolla, made in NUMMI plant in Cal.
the engine used is a TOYOTA.
and is common. 4A names are toyota.
the G engine (GE) has major changes.
quote:
that it employed a "slave cam system", the camshafts being geared together and driven off one camshaft's sprocket (both camshafts' sprockets on the G-Engine are rotated by the timing belt)

so i ask you, which engine? FE or GE?
aka; VIN 6 or V5 engines. The vin tells which one you have.
when buying parts they will ask you this. just like me.

on old cars, all, i check compression first.
there are many reasons, AGE and not wanting to run burned head valves into the ground $$$$$$
the service chart lists the belt as 60,000 miles
if not changed in time it will slip, and not run.
and compression drops, or cam stops spinning, is it spinning?

here is the logic
i check for spark first. (it cranks)
i see spark on all 4, ok, that is good.
so i check test fuel, it fails.
i then check compression its 80 not 150
i find the belt slipped. all cars run over the spec range do.
see how far you can get watch Mr. Scotty

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=064Ilsz8Fzg&NR=1&feature=fvwp


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May 24, 2014 • 1990 Geo Prizm
0helpful
1answer

1997 geo prizm not starting getting too much gas
cranks fast but will not start.

which engine?

ever do a full tuneup on it, the 60k mile service (interval)

????????????

this engine really is a toyota corolla.

getting too much gas
what does the mean,?

spark tips soaking in fuel.

fuel dripping out exhaust ports to ground?

what?

if flooding did you crank wide open throttle yet, (per oper. guide ins)

????????????

this is called super secret unflood mode, it cuts fuel cranking,

all cars, do that.

this should be your engine, to fix engines, know what you have.

late 1997 change.?





1.8 L 1ZZ-FE (LV6) I4 (gasoline)




DOHC 4valve.

chain cam.



here is the secret to running.



  1. 12vdc power to all EFI parts. electric power over 10v.


  2. good compression over 150psi all 4 cyl. (new timing belt?)


  3. tuned-up and hot spark timed right.


  4. good fueling. not to rich or too lean.


  5. EGR not stuck open, clean it. or ISC stuck closed, clean it.




The ECU works overtime to start and sustain running.

so it failed. this means something is very wrong.



check engine light on key on,? if not fix that.

then connect scan tool and crank for 5 seconds.

got CMP/CKP or spark errors DTC , any at all?

or scan RPM at 0 cranking?

bingo.

scan the ECU. 1st after checking all fuses.



tuned up,, that is 1st.

if car as VVT-t , option it can fail and cause retarded timing and hard starts.

see the valve cover, here. got VVT-I? I think you dont have this motor.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_ZZ_engine#1ZZ-FE





i think you have this

1993-1997 Geo Prizms were powered by the 4A-FE or optional 7A-FE engine.



as you can see ,knowing what engine is in your car is everything.



4a/7a engine is a belt drive cam.

so did you skip the belt service, ?



if you let it slip, it will not ever start.

the 7a motor will bend its valves, if the belt is ignored.

it is a DOHC , interference engine. so....





the service schedule for the 7A is. 60k on belt

spark plugs and filters

dizzy (distributor engins) new cap/rotor and spark wires too.
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Mar 02, 2014 • Geo Prizm Cars & Trucks
0helpful
1answer

Locate timing belt and water pump on a 94 geo prism
old post,
the prizm is a toyota.
they had 3 engines.
see this page, for links to all you need to know.

your engine sides sideways. FWD car.
this fact makes service hard. unlike RWD cars. and trucks.
the crank pulley and pump are on the right side (drivers perceptive)
seen left, facing engine bay.
http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/1934/1881/29833440036_large.jpg?v=0

see the top of engine, that is the valve cover
look to the left
see that wider part, that is the cam cog and belt side.

what you really need are all the instructions on how to do this
and not mess it up;.
the steps are covered, fully
at
alldata.com
just log in , and read engine chapter under timing belt service.
its like 50 steps.

http://www.fixkick.com/PRIZM.html

see links and facts above.
the first step is to find out what engine is in your car.
4A or 7A
Read full answer
Jan 12, 2014 • 1994 Geo Prizm
0helpful
1answer

Head bolt torque specs cylinder ford
a Ford Prizm?
run , run far from this car. LOL.
old post
but am doing all geo post today , for future searches.
http://www.fixkick.com/PRIZM.html

that is a toyota 1ZZ-FE engine.
so the specs are same.
alldata.com covers both.

id bet , you need more that just 1 torque, how about the
sequence and how to put the cam belt back correctly.

OMG
the first google hit finds it.
google really is your friend, huh?

http://www.testroete.com/car/Toyota/celica/repair%20information/repair%20manual/06%20-%20Engine%20Mechanical/17%20-%20Cylinder%20Head%20-%20Installation.pdf

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Jan 11, 2014 • Geo Prizm Cars & Trucks
0helpful
1answer

Put a 1989 2.3 carb on my 1986 2.3 isuzu will not start even when i poor gas in the carb
1. check the spark plugs and make sure that it has igntion
2. check the compression and make sure that it is good
3. if the 2 above hold true then check the timing belt (if this engine has one) to make sure that it did not jump timing. If any of the timing belt teeth (rubber notches) are missing from the belt then it has most likely jumped timing. If it is a non interference engine(means that the valves will not hit the pistons if it loses cam timing), the belt can be replaced and retimed and athe engine should run again.
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Dec 16, 2012 • Isuzu Cars & Trucks
0helpful
1answer

Replacing timing belt on 2003 hyundai santa fe 2.7
"POP" LIKE A BACKFIRE???.....TIMING BELT IS 1 OR MORE TEETH OFF
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Jul 30, 2012 • 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
3helpful
2answers

I have a 1997 Toyota Camry 200si. Yesterday I started the car, engaged reverse and let clutch out.The car moved back a metre then cut out. It would not restart. I have checked plugs, OK, this also Ok'd the...
Hello, and Welcome to FixYa. Please allow me to assist you.

Your mention of "on trying to start the engine turns over very fast" is indicative of a timing belt issue. Either the belt has broken, or the belt has jumped a few teeth. When the belt is out of "time", there is less compression, which results in the engine 'turning over' faster, and a no-start condition.

What you need to do: Replace the timing belt, and, while the belt is being replaced, check the water pump for any evidence of seepage; if so, replace the water pump at the same time.

The good news here is this: Your engine is NOT of the type that will 'bend' the valves when the belt breaks or jumps teeth.

Replacing the timing belt will fix you right up.

Thanks for choosing FixYa for assistance.
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Apr 21, 2010 • 1997 Toyota Camry
0helpful
1answer

Ware do i line the timing marks up with
if you have the six there are marks on the cams i belive they point at 10 and 2 facing each other and if you look through the holes in the cam gears there are marks that line up with the marks on the cam then there is a notch in the crank gear that lines up with a dimple in the block(oil pump)if you line cams up before removing belt you should be ok and a tip when you get the belt around the love pulley stick a piece of rubber hose under belt this will prevent the belt from spinning the crank as it is lodged between timing belt and lip on oil pump also prevents belt from jumping teeth so you can get slack to the proper side also the office style paperclips that fold over after clipped to papers these wprk well to hold the belt to the cams so when your fussing with the tensioner the cams wont move and jump time but spin the crank 2 revolutions before tottally reassembling but all your timing marks should line up again
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Jul 25, 2009 • 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
3helpful
3answers

I'm replacing a timing belt on a 1997 Honda Civic w/ a 1.6 liter engine also doing the water pump. Ars there any other things that should be done at this time like seals or anything? and can I get specs on...
The only other thing could the the timing belt tensioner if there is any doubt. Here's the timing marks.
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Jan 24, 2009 • 2001 Honda Civic
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