I seen this once on a 2.2 chrysler, the camshaft broke. No compression on all 4 because the valves were sitting open.

 

This is the first thing I thought of when I saw this thread. I just cannot imagine both snapping at the same time.

 

It's possible the woodrift key broke on the crank shaft. If this is the case the timing belt would not move when the engine is turned over. Checked?

Dennis

 

Maybe I should pull off the t-belt and rotate the cam by hand.....see if I can find a position that closes both valves and holds pressure?

 

Well..sort of checked. The damper and cams are still in proper time with each other. That does not mean the crank is still in proper time with the damper.

I did not remove the damper but I did change the outer pulley. Any chance the damper key sheared and shifted location? It would be an explaination but it seems hard to believe that could happen ?

 

It seems that if there were holes in pistons and enough metal in the oil pan to see it, that there would have been gnashing of teeth, much grinding, or more evidence at failure for these more catastrophic events.........the solution will emerge, I'm betting on the KISS approach.

There is a small hand held camera that I have seen that is got a 20" 1/4-1/2 inch lens at the end of it that would fit down the sparkplug hole. It even is lighted....it reads out on a little 2x3" screen with a very decent TV picture. It may be worthwhile to get one ($150) and add it to the tool box. Have a peek in the cylinder holes and rule out as much of the internals as possible......it's would also be handy for checking out those pesky vacum lines under the intake and other nusiance places.

 

You can check this by making sure the crank is at TDC, the cam gears are on their marks and the #1 piston is at the uppermost position.

Dennis

 

Yes..I have done this. I will check again though..

 

Do you remenber where you found this? I'll grab one just for the fun-to-have factor It would be great to be able to look into these bores.

 

those cameras would be cool to check out the Holbert car's miracle oiling system

 

Have you actually observed the timing belt moving when turning over the engine?

 

You are judging timing by looking at the cam gears, I assume. If the nose of a cam broke, the cam gear position is not helpful. I don't have much to contribute except to nitpick like this. You've got a nice mystery. Even if the cams broke, at least 1 or 2 cylinders should have closed valves and hold air on a leakdown.

 

Tass, Griots sells a DIY boroscope. Don't recall how expensive it is, but I'll bet you can google-up the same model for less.

 

Linky:

http://www.griotsgarage.com/p2p/sear...rrivals&page=1

 

Yes, the two upper belt covers are removed.