If the timing on a car jumps will that keep it from starting and can they just reset it?

Question

It's 1992 Mercury Topaz

Answer 1

Regardless of the kind of car it is, the timing is all the same principal. Some cars use gears and chain (just like a bicycle) and some use cogs and belt with cogs on the belt to match the ones on the gears. Either way, here is what happens. Over time (miles) the chain stretches (in cars with chains) and the ends of the teeth on the gears round off, causing slippage of the chain and the timing to "jump". In a car with a belt, it is a situation where the cogs on the belt (some, not all of them) wear off and/or the cogs on the pulleys wear down. This is a common occurance in ALL cars - not just yours. The question of can it just be reset, it's as if your asking if they can turn a couple of screws and have everything back in place. In that sense, no. However, by replacing the timing chain and gears, or belt and pulleys, then yes, it can be put back in place. There is the possibility that after the timing went, that it may have done some damage to the engine. This would be no fault of yours. That is just something that happens with some engines. The only way to know for sure is to have the timing chain or belt (and gears) replaced and see how the engine sounds when it is started. The mechanic would be able to tell immediately when the engine is started whether there is any internal engine damage. You probably don't have the damage, but you need to be aware that you COULD have it. It's a scary thing when this happens. I understand that. As a garage and salvage yard owner for 20-some odd years, I have dealt with both women and MEN that didn't fully understand, and have even had it happen to me on a car or two that I've owned. It's the anxiousness of not knowing that is the worst. However, I feel strongly that for a couple hundred dollars or so, you will have the car back and running in no time!

Answer 2

A 1992 Mercury Topaz uses a timing chain, so it's unlikely to have jumped time. But in answer to your question, YES it will DEFINITELY prevent your car from starting if it jumps time. And NO!!! It cannot be reset. To repair requires replacing the belt (if applicable) or chain at the very least. If it's an interference engine, it's bye-bye cylinder head (VERY EXPENSIVE).

Answer 3

No body knows if it's belt or chain ?? There must be a "mechanik" out there somewhere. The other factor is nobody knows if it jumped time. Chains can break but they cannot jump time. The question was if timing jumps will it prevent starting. The answer is, possibly, if it broke the belt or stripped several cogs from the belt. Take the top off your distributor and see if the rotor turns.when you crank the engine. I gather the engine still turns over as you didn't mention it being froze up. An engine requires compression, spark and fuel to start. check it out. If not solve problem come back with some symptoms and maybe we help.

Answer 4

Yes it can keep a car from starting. Timing is controled by a timing chain and the distributor. Generally a mechanic can reset the timing but it may take a half a day or so.

Answer 5

Your car has a timing belt. If there is no damage done internally then a belt can be replaced and the timing set back to normal specs. Sometimes if the belt breaks while driving, the valves will hit the pistons and do internal damage. Install a belt and crank the engine before you reinstall the serpentine belt and cover. If it starts, then you are good to go, but if you hear a lot of grinding and rattling noises, then the valve are damaged.
good luck

Answer 6

i could experience that a 400ci would have a timing chain, now no longer a belt. yet while the timing is leaping, then it is because of the fact of a worn/stretched timing chain/belt. Time to change the chain/belt. What Joseph reported too: Is it the cam timing it extremely is off, or is it the ignition timing. Cam timing is a working laptop or malicious application catch 22 situation, ignition timing: now no longer plenty. merely confirm the distributor shield-down bolt is tight once you positioned the timing.

Answer 7

i mechanic for a living ,and no it just cant be re-set,it will need a new chain and gears or a belt ,which ever one your car has on it,,you didn't say what kind of a car it is,,but no if it jumps out,it has to have some parts put back in it.,and hope fully it didn't tear anything else up in it,,some times if its an interference engine it will bend the valves ,and that cost a lot,,yours may not be an interference engine ,,good luck hope this help,s.happy new years.

Answer 8

Yes, it will keep it from starting again. It can be reset, but sometimes needs to have a belt or chain completely changed. We have had this happen before.

Answer 9

it can be reset, but you would need to do the timeing belt and hardwear kit. if you were lucky then you didn't damage your engine if the belt slipped, and yes, that can deffinatly cause the car from starting.

Answer 10

no the timing between the cam and the crank will be off , usually the timing belt will be missing 0NE tooth or two it will be fixed right only if you replace the timing belt