My brother has a 96 850 wagon with 242,000 miles. This evening the car started stumbling at idle and while accelerating. Once it's up to speed it seems OK. There is also this noise that sounds like a whining/grating from the engine. This noise also seems to go away at higher speeds. I'm a bit concerned about the timing belt/tensioner/idler pulley. He has put at least 90K in the car since bought it and has not replaced the timing belt.

 

i doubt that a timing belt being old would cause it to stumble...that being said, it could be multiple problems, and the belt certainly could be whining. On a good note, if it is you wont have to listen to it long, because as soon as it snaps his motor is toast. Also, i cant see anythng timing related causing a grating sound.

As for the stumbling: when was the last time it had a tuneup done to it? Do the plugs, wires, cap, rotor, and pcv. if he hasnt done that in 90k he is due, most likely. Id also check the fuel pressure and see if maybe you have a bad fuel pressure regulator or fuel pump taking a hike.

 

He did a tune up maybe 30K miles ago. In addition to that a bunch of fuel system components were replaced including I believe the fuel pump relay. I'm not sure about the pcv. How would pcv problems present?

 

tiny smoke coming from oil dipstick housing when removed would indicate pcv needs servicing

 

Jeeeeezz! You're pushing your luck with the timing belt and pulleys!!

If you keep waiting you'll be shopping a used motor or towing it to the junk yard soon enough..

As far as the running problem; are there any codes set? A bad O2 sensor can cause it to run like crap.. but could be a lot of things - need to trouble-shoot it..

 

It's his beater car. I take care of my cars but he doesn't seem to be too concerned. He changes the oil routinely and hopes it'll keep running. I told him repeatedly to replace the timing belt but he doesn't seem to want to spend the money. Some idiot a few years ago jump started his car and ended up reversing the polarity of the cables. End result is the radio, heater fan, cigarette lighter all got fried. This makes the car incredibly uncomfortable to drive especially in the winter. No heat, no defrost, no way to charge a cell phone or listen to tunes. On top of that the car has high mileage and numerous dents and dings. He can't justify any extra expense. I guess you can't fault him. He says when it dies he'll replace it with another.

 

I find it amazing the number of people who feel so unconcerned about the timing belt having over 70K miles on it. My personal nightmare is that I could be on the highway going 70 MPH driving in a curve approaching an 18 wheeler when the belt snaps ! Will I survive or not ? Just that thought keeps me extremely vigilant about my timing belt and other crucial parts in my car.