no start problem

[jimeez]

90 325is
coming home today car is running good. I get around the corner from my house and car dies.

It will turn over but does not fire, no sign of it even trying. Sounds like the starter just spinning. I put in in gear and hit the starter and the car moves forward.
I was thinking it is the timing belt but I thought that if broke it would lock the engine up. Is this a correct assumption?

Any help is greatly needed and appreciated

[jlevie]

There are so many things this could be. The first thing to do would be to look into the valve cover while someone engages the starter. If you see the cam turning, the timing belt is still intact. Next you need to determine if there's spark, fuel injector pulses, and correct fuel pressure at the inlet to the fuel rail. The results of those checks will narrow down the possibilities.

[DaveSmed]

Unfortunately based on your description, it sounds like you have experienced a sudden drastic loss of compression, which usually means the timing belt went.

Check the cam as described above.

[jimeez]

Thanks guys I appreciate the info

I went out and looked in the oil filler hole and there was an assortment of loose parts in there. So your diagnosis is correct. Thanks :)

[RedHoodRidah]

Thanks guys I appreciate the info

I went out and looked in the oil filler hole and there was an assortment of loose parts in there. So your diagnosis is correct. Thanks :)

That sucks.