jsmith468

Hey I am looking to buy this 96 Gt. The guy is saying all it needs is a timing belt tensioner and a gas gromet along with some TLC My question is if it needs a tensioner chances are the timing belt will need to probable be replaced right?. Now if he was driving it and it broke what are the chances the engine is basically shot or due in these cars do the tensioners just start to slowly loosen and thats all that needs to be repaired engine wise. I was told there is a difference between a non interference engine and interference engine and this would make a difference about bent valves or jacked up pistons if the belt broke. Thanks guys. I am capable of minor repairs just not engine overhauls what you think should I buy if the price is right?

Smokeybear001

the 4.6 uses timing chains, i doubt that a chain broke(although it is possible). Tensioners and guides wear and break every now and then, but i wouldn't take much advice from someone who said that it has a timing Belt...

cliffyk

Are your certain he said "timing belt" and not "serpentine belt"?

As Smokey' said, there is no timing belt on the 4.6L engines--however there is a serpentine belt that drives the generator, water pump. p/s pump, and AC compressor--that does have a tensioner...

jsmith468

ok he has two ads posted first one said needs timing chain work. second one says needs timing belt tensioner. assuming he was meaning to say timing chain tensioner is this a common problem with these cars. I gonna try and go look at it today or tommorrow thanks for the feedback guys

cliffyk

FWIW, I would not pay more than $1500 for a '96 GT (a 14 year-old, "dime-a-dozen" car) with engine problems, regardless of condition, and I could probably fix what's wrong myself.

If you will need to pay someone else to make it right it's a $500 car.