Timing belt ?

[cobram at juno.com]

97.9% of the time it's abrupt, very abrupt.  Rubber smell and front end
felt like it locked up...hmmm, maybe the front end did lock up, check the
brakes.  Check your accessory belt, was the AC on when this happened? 
Compressor spinning?  Alternator spinning freely?  Brakes & Acc Belts
would be the first things to check.  If brakes and belts check out, you
can visually inspecting the timing belt by pulling the cover off, look
for frayed ends or excessive slack.  Don't dismiss road hazards either,
road debris may have found it's way into the drive train somewhere. BTDT

BCNU,
http://www.geocities.com/cobramsri/
Health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.
 
Jeff Hawes <kevkatsdadd at yahoo.com> writes:
> Greetings, all !
>    
>   When a timing belt goes, is it an abrupt no go or can it be 
> gradual ?
>    
>   I was an eighth of a mile from home(all downhill fortunately) this 
> morning when I experienced a substantial but gradual loss of power.
>   Gauges were fine and the best description I can give is it felt 
> like the front end had locked up. After parking it and checking 
> fluids and tires, there was that unmistakable smell of burnt 
> rubber.
>    
>   '90 90Q 20v
>    
>   Jay.