[4'running'26]

Driving down to FL yesterday and heard a loud squeal at around 70 MPH in Columbia, SC. Pulled over with essentially no throttle response. Figured timing belt. Had it towed to Dick Dyer Toyota. After they looked at it they said defintiely timing belt. Now they just said Flexplate is bad. Are these two commonly linked? Any feedback is greatly appreciated since I'm from Ohio and on my way to FL and now stranded in Columbia!

[mtbtim]

They are not linked but they will both cause the vehicle to be non-operational. If the timing belt breaks, the engine won't run. If the flex plate breaks, the engine runs but no power transfers to the transmission and you won't move.

If they're telling you it's the flex plate, your engine should still run. When you say no throttle response, do you mean the rpms raise but you don't move anywhere? If the dealership said definitely timing belt, they either misunderstood what you were telling them or they are complete idiots. An engine will not run with a broken timing belt.

[4'running'26]

Originally Posted by mtbtim

They are not linked but they will both cause the vehicle to be non-operational. If the timing belt breaks, the engine won't run. If the flex plate breaks, the engine runs but no power transfers to the transmission and you won't move.

If they're telling you it's the flex plate, your engine should still run. When you say no throttle response, do you mean the rpms raise but you don't move anywhere? If the dealership said definitely timing belt, they either misunderstood what you were telling them or they are complete idiots. An engine will not run with a broken timing belt.

Thanks, Tim.

It is indeed the flexplate and not the timing belt. I was able to get RPMs out of it, like you said, but no transference of power, which makes sense.

They are quoting me $1300. I have no frame of reference for this repair and I know they have to drop the tranny...but, man!

I wish I weren't stranded 600 miles from home and had some options. I guess I'm at their mercy.

[4'running'26]

Can't get part here until Friday. Yay!!!

[Bad Luck]

Originally Posted by 4'running'26

Thanks, Tim.

It is indeed the flexplate and not the timing belt. I was able to get RPMs out of it, like you said, but no transference of power, which makes sense.

They are quoting me $1300. I have no frame of reference for this repair and I know they have to drop the tranny...but, man!

I wish I weren't stranded 600 miles from home and had some options. I guess I'm at their mercy.

Why do they think it's the flexplate? From my understanding if the flexplate breaks to the point where it won't turn your torque converter, then your starter won't be able to start the vehicle either because of the flywheel failure.

[4'running'26]

Originally Posted by Bad Luck

Why do they think it's the flexplate? From my understanding if the flexplate breaks to the point where it won't turn your torque converter, then your starter won't be able to start the vehicle either because of the flywheel failure.

It's true it won't start. It didn't shut off when it happened but once I shut it off when I pulled over it wouldn't restart.

I put my own two eyes on the TB so it definitely wasn't that.

[Dieselchessy]

Both items have an inspection cover and are fairly easy to diagnose with a visual inspection given complete failure.

A starter that just free spins would be a clue to look in that area.

Seems odd that you didn’t hear symptoms of a failing flex plate. I’ve never heard of one going quietly.

[4'running'26]

Originally Posted by Dieselchessy

Both items have an inspection cover and are fairly easy to diagnose with a visual inspection given complete failure.

A starter that just free spins would be a clue to look in that area.

Seems odd that you didn’t hear symptoms of a failing flex plate. I’ve never heard of one going quietly.

I did have some ticking/tapping noise once warmed up, but I chalked it up as an exhaust valve. I did a little research but apparently not enough. Stupid me.

[HiLife]

Based on your sig and your stated on arrival of your flex plate...I gonna guess you got a 2000 4 cyl.
I called around the area out to 1 1/2 hours away and no toyota dealer has any flex plate in your area.
4 cylinder flex plate 32101-26010 is coming out of Jacksonville, couple of days travel time to Columbia.
6 cylinder flex plate 32101-35010 is no where on the s eastcoast, and has to come from central us or, west us, estimated 1 week travel time.
I wish I had better news for you that you could grab these at a near by other Toyota dealer and be back on the road more quickly.

[4'running'26]

Originally Posted by HiLife

Based on your sig and your stated on arrival of your flex plate...I gonna guess you got a 2000 4 cyl.
I called around the area out to 1 1/2 hours away and no toyota dealer has any flex plate in your area.
4 cylinder flex plate 32101-26010 is coming out of Jacksonville, couple of days travel time to Columbia.
6 cylinder flex plate 32101-35010 is no where on the s eastcoast, and has to come from central us or, west us, estimated 1 week travel time.
I wish I had better news for you that you could grab these at a near by other Toyota dealer and be back on the road more quickly.

Thanks for checking around!

I have a 6 cyl. They were able to track one down semi-locally. Going to work on it tomorrow.

[HiLife]

Nice, Dick Dyer took the last one available in your area or they did an overnight shipping to your location. They hustled on your flex-plate getting there.

[fourfive]

Did they show you the flex plate to visually confirm that it was cracked? They could be right but don't assume they are.

I had ticking/rattling along with decreased power & a few other symptoms that I initially thought was a cracked flex plate but after a relatively long process of troubleshooting using a borescope, mechanics stethescope, dropping the pan, etc., I was able to rule out a cracked flex plate & my findings were pointing to a bad torque converter/transmission. I replaced both & everything has been good for the last 4,500 miles. My point is troubleshooting symptoms takes time & it's not always clear cut. If you're having someone else do the troubleshooting, do your best to get physical confirmation & make sure what they are saying makes sense.

[4'running'26]

This squeal upon startup came about after the flexplate replacement.

Any initial thoughts?

IMG_3589.MOV - Google Drive

[HiLife]

Sounds like the starter gear is being dragged along the flywheel after the engine has started. Wonder if you are now getting a starter to flywheel clearance issue?

[4'running'26]

Originally Posted by HiLife

Sounds like the starter gear is being dragged along the flywheel after the engine has started. Wonder if you are now getting a starter to flywheel clearance issue?

Hmm...ok. That kind of makes sense from my limited experience.

Any "easy" adjustments that can be made or can this only be adjusted from the flexplate end of things, thus requiring the transmission to be dropped? Toyota did this, I sure as hell hope the'll back it up if an intensive tear-down is needed.