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Keyway Fix - Timebomb?

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Offline mallard75

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Keyway Fix - Timebomb?
« on: June 18, 2008, 07:37:56 PM »
Well, after much searching and research, I decided to fix my sidekick keyway problem with JB weld.  I filled in the wallowed out portion and then put jb weld on the crank bolt and let it all set up for three days.  I also replaced the keyway.

Any idea how long this fix will last?  Should I be afraid to drive this thing? it is not a daily driver but I like to use it on the weekends... anyone had this problem and fix?
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Offline ebewley

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Re: Keyway Fix - Timebomb?
« Reply #1 on: June 19, 2008, 09:07:21 AM »
Quote from: mallard75 on June 18, 2008, 07:37:56 PM
Well, after much searching and research, I decided to fix my sidekick keyway problem with JB weld.  I filled in the wallowed out portion and then put jb weld on the crank bolt and let it all set up for three days.  I also replaced the keyway.

Any idea how long this fix will last?  Should I be afraid to drive this thing? it is not a daily driver but I like to use it on the weekends... anyone had this problem and fix?

Is it an 8-valve 1.6 engine? If so, you'll be OK. If the key breaks and the engine goes out of time, there should not be any damage. If it's a 16-valve engine, there could be damage if this happens.

-Eric
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Offline mallard75

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Re: Keyway Fix - Timebomb?
« Reply #2 on: June 19, 2008, 09:26:50 AM »
it is the 16 valve engine.  I figured the engine was not worth tearing down. I was looking at replacing it, but thought I would JB weld the bolt in there and see how long it would last.  I did replace the keyway.  Last time it happened, I lost power due to retarded timing before the bolt came all the way out of the lower pully, so there should be warning.  If it blows, and valves crater then I will just look for a new engine. 

I am really curious to know anyone that had this problem and used a similar fix... and how long it has lasted.  Seems like a common problem with this engine and miyatas.
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Offline ack

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Re: Keyway Fix - Timebomb?
« Reply #3 on: June 19, 2008, 06:23:42 PM »
"I am really curious to know anyone that had this problem and used a similar fix... and how long it has lasted.  Seems like a common problem with this engine and miyatas."

I have this theory on the "Wallowed Keyway" problem.

I think when a "mechanic" is changing the timing belt they see that there are 5 small hard-to-get-at bolts on the crank pulley and there is one real easy-to-get-to big bolt on the end of the crank.  Taking the easy route, they remove the big bolt instead of the five smaller bolts (4 on a 1.3 engine...).  When it is time to reinstall the big bolt, the "mechanic" does not properly torque down the bolt (which is not that big of a deal with the 5 smaller bolts that are there specifically to be used when changing the timing belt).

The big bolt works loose, the keyway loosens and wallows out and "the Pooch is Screwed" as fighter pilots often say before making one of those Hi-gee one-point landings.

I have seen three Samurais in junkyards with loose keyways.  I own a '93 4-door Sidekick that I bought for $500 because it had this problem.  Each had a loose or broken Crank Bolt.  I spent $1700 and had the engine rebuilt because the rest of the 'kick was in such good condition.  So far, I have put 40k on it in three years and it still runs like a top.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it....
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Ack

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Offline mallard75

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Re: Keyway Fix - Timebomb?
« Reply #4 on: June 19, 2008, 08:39:59 PM »
ack, in the rebuilds did you replace the crank or by chance did you use JB weld on the crank bolt?
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Offline ack

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Re: Keyway Fix - Timebomb?
« Reply #5 on: June 19, 2008, 09:06:28 PM »
I replaced the crank and completely rebuilt the engine while it was out of the truck. Although it cost $1700, when you add the $500 I paid for it it still came up nearly $1000 less than the various used car resale estimator websites' prices.

Naturally, my fiscal situation may be different than yours.

That said, I have heard of folks using JB weld to fix wallowed-out keyways in their Miatas and Samurai/Sidekick/Trackers.

HOWEVER

I have never actually seen such a vehicle in person.

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Ack

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Offline bentparts

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Re: Keyway Fix - Timebomb?
« Reply #6 on: June 20, 2008, 04:11:22 AM »
The 16V engine is a NON interference engine, so even if it does lose the crank pully , or timing belt it should not result in any valve damage, unless your at redline when it happens maybe.
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Offline mrhawk

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Re: Keyway Fix - Timebomb?
« Reply #7 on: June 21, 2008, 04:14:37 AM »
I did the keyway fix on a 1,3. Ran it for about a year before going to a 1,6, but the engine was still running sweet when I pulled it.

Id do it again if I had to, no worries.  BUT! change the crank seal before you torque everything down with loctite, i didn't do that and my seal started to leak after a year and I really didn't want to tear it apart again.
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xoloski

Re: Keyway Fix - Timebomb?
« Reply #8 on: June 21, 2008, 06:30:11 AM »
It's a temp fix at best.
The key will get loose again.
I've been there.
The real fix is to replace the shaft, and it's not difficult.
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Offline notworthy

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Re: Keyway Fix - Timebomb?
« Reply #9 on: June 21, 2008, 06:39:50 AM »
my tracker has this problem, someone rigged it up to stay on there but its not centered at all, it wobbles when it spinning :'(
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