How To Test For A Broken Timing Belt (1.3L Swift -Metro)

TEST 2: Removing The Timing Belt Cover

This next test is a bit more involved since it requires that you remove the top timing belt cover to check the rotation of the camshaft gear (while your helper cranks the engine) and/or to see if the t-belt is broken.

Why go through all this trouble? Because visually checking that the timing belt is on the cam gear and that it's actually turning the camshaft gear (while your helper cranks the engine) is the most accurate way to check the timing belt's condition.

CAUTION: You'll be working around a cranking engine, so take all necessary safety precautions.

1. 1

   Now, using the appropriate tools, remove the timing belt cover.
   
   NOTE: You may need a repair manual since removing the t-belt cover is quite the process.

2. 2

   Once the plastic timing belt cover is removed and the camshaft gear is exposed, have your helper crank the engine.

3. 3

   As the engine is cranking, observe the camshaft gear (from a safe distance).

4. 4

   You'll see one of two things:
   
   1.) The camshaft gear will turn as the engine cranks or
   
   2.) The camshaft gear will NOT turn as the engine turns over.

OK, now that the testing part is done, let's take a look at what your results mean:

CASE 1: The camshaft gear turned as the engine was cranking. This let's you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that your 1.3L Suzuki Swift's (Chevy Metro's) timing belt is not broken. No further testing is required.

CASE 2: The camshaft gear DID NOT turn as the engine was cranking and/or the timing belt is not on the cam gear. This result tells you that your 1.3L Suzuki Swift's (Chevy Metro's) timing belt is broken and needs to be replaced.

Replacing the timing belt is only the beginning of the repair due to the fact that your Swift's 1.3L engine is an interference engine. More specifically, there's a good chance that the you've got bent valves on your hands (that'll require removing the cylinder head to replace).

More 1.3L Swift (Chevy Metro) Tutorials

You can find a complete list of tutorials in this index: Suzuki 1.3L Index Of Articles.

Here's a small sample of the 1.3L Swift tutorials you'll find in the index:

• How To Test The MAP Sensor (1998-2001 1.3L Swift / Chevy Metro).
• How To Test The TP Sensor (1998-2001 1.3L Swift / Chevy Metro).
• How To Test The Ignition Coils Suzuki: Swift, Vitara - Chevy: Metro, Tracker (at: easyautodiagnostics.com).
• How To Troubleshoot A Misfire (Suzuki 1.3L, 1.6L, 1.8L, 2.0L, 2.3L) (at: easyautodiagnostics.com).
• How To Do A Compression Test (Suzuki 1.3L, 1.6L, 1.8L, 2.0L, 2.3L) (at: easyautodiagnostics.com).
• Blown Head Gasket Test (Suzuki 1.3L, 1.6L, 1.8L, 2.0L, 2.3L, 2.5L) (at:easyautodiagnostics.com).