New Timing Belt Job Sucks

[fwdtsi]

I have a friend that just took his car down to a mechanic to get his timing belt changed. Well, Now it runs like crap at idle but he says it fells a little more advanced up top. But anyway, The mechanic put the timing belt right on its marks but now it just runs like crap at idle and it makes a weird popping noise through the exhaust all the time. Do anyone of you all know whats going on?

 

[SpeedFreak03]

Well obviously something is off, tell him to double check everything maybe it jumped or something or he didn't do it correctly??? Good luck!

 

[fwdtsi]

It has been triple checked actually. Anyone?

 

[dsm4life]

"normal" mechanics can not work on these cars. Theres no if ands or buts about it.

 

[Larry L]

I just had mine done by a performance shop in san bernardino, and i had a simular problem...They even double checked it , and the mechanic said it was my exaust... So I got a second opinion and it turns out he had the balance shafts out of sync. and the cams a tooth off.

 

[dsm4life]

Originally posted by Larry L
I just had mine done by a performance shop in san bernardino, and i had a simular problem...They even double checked it , and the mechanic said it was my exaust... So I got a second opinion and it turns out he had the balance shafts out of sync. and the cams a tooth off.

just another example

 

[96TSi_Chris]

Originally posted by dsm4life
"normal" mechanics can not work on these cars. Theres no if ands or buts about it.

Haha that couldnt be more true.

 

[fwdtsi]

It has been fixed today. They set it one tooth off and now it runs perfect. The funny thing is with the arrows dead on it ran like crap.

 

[racer]

Im so mad I did mine.I have the same ehaust noise and I hate it.Those biches at the shop say that they are good but I never trust one of those "ESI" whatever surtified mechanics.I was there during the whole change and If I wasnt there it would of have been a dizaster.Now im sure it is not perfect but what can I do.I cant do it myself.Could that cause a hesitation cuz sometimes I have some lag when sudenly hit the acselerator and the car is at low RPMs.Once it goes over 3000 RPMs is fine.

 

[billdo_83]

Originally posted by racer
Im so mad I did mine.I have the same ehaust noise and I hate it.Those biches at the shop say that they are good but I never trust one of those "ESI" whatever surtified mechanics.I was there during the whole change and If I wasnt there it would of have been a dizaster.Now im sure it is not perfect but what can I do.I cant do it myself.Could that cause a hesitation cuz sometimes I have some lag when sudenly hit the acselerator and the car is at low RPMs.Once it goes over 3000 RPMs is fine.

Can you get your hands on a timing gun and see what the base timing is?

 

[chaye]

this just proves that YOU should work on your car........
I DONT let ANYONE touch my car, this way i know exactly what is going on in the car..

 

[racer]

Well I'll try to timing gun it on thursday and will see what it reads and I'll post or PM you.

 

[billdo_83]

Checking the base timing is a good way to see if any of the timing marks are off. If you cant adjust the base timing properly then you know that you have to take it apart and do it again

 

[Larry L]

Once you have seen one or three being done then do it your self. But until then either have an experiences person do it or take it to the dealership.

 

[91eagle_tsi_awd]

i took my car to a mechanic ,and to me it looks like its off one tooth but he sed its off 2,i just wanted to know if there might be anything bent ??i drive the car everyday and im planning to park the car dis week and do my timing belt change.car runs fine but has no power.doesnt give my problems at all.but im gonna go ahead and change it so i can have the car running on point.just want to know if anything bends wen 2 teeth are off??thanks alot

 

[billdo_83]

2 teeth is right at about the limit before you start bending things I believe. If your car is running and you hear little metalic noises that means that you are bending your valves though

 

[leet]

Originally posted by fwdtsi
It has been fixed today. They set it one tooth off and now it runs perfect. The funny thing is with the arrows dead on it ran like crap.

The cam marks have to be lined up across the ENTIRE gear. There are marks 180 degrees opposite each other. I made the mistake of not doing that once, and ended up one tooth off as well. Use a flat edge (ruler, something like it) to get those marks lined up and you will be good to go!

 

[billdo_83]

Originally posted by leet
The cam marks have to be lined up across the ENTIRE gear. There are marks 180 degrees opposite each other. I made the mistake of not doing that once, and ended up one tooth off as well. Use a flat edge (ruler, something like it) to get those marks lined up and you will be good to go!

you have 2 more marks to get lined up also.
Crank sprocket and the oil pump mark.
Dont forget to make sure that the BS is in phase.

 

[FASTSPOOLINGST]

if u follow the VFAQ on how to do it you should be fine. it is broken down pretty idiot style for 1st timers.

Agreed! do all your work yourself, you might F it up the first time, but that is how you learn, and you will save money in the long run the next time you have to do it.

BTW, did u change your water pump when u had it changed? What about the tensioner, pulleys, etc, did you eliminate the balance shaft, or did u just have the belt itself changed

Yeah, it has to line up on more then just the cam gears...duhhhh
probably had it changed at a civic performance shop. ha ha.

 

[ditchmagnet]

almost as soon as i got my car my dad and i changed the timing belt...(i didnt know how to change my oil at that point.) anyway....the guy before my had it changed at 11,000 on a recall....when i was changing it..there was a white mark on the balance shaft sprocet like two teeth away from the correct timing mark on that sprocket, (it was set at the white out mark...and everything lined up right)...so i set it back to they way i thought it should and finished the job...still runs good...but i hear the exhaust poping...and sorta rough idle...still at the right rpm...just kinda rough...did my changing those marks have and effect? dont remember if it poped before the job.

 

[billdo_83]

Originally posted by ditchmagnet
almost as soon as i got my car my dad and i changed the timing belt...(i didnt know how to change my oil at that point.) anyway....the guy before my had it changed at 11,000 on a recall....when i was changing it..there was a white mark on the balance shaft sprocet like two teeth away from the correct timing mark on that sprocket, (it was set at the white out mark...and everything lined up right)...so i set it back to they way i thought it should and finished the job...still runs good...but i hear the exhaust poping...and sorta rough idle...still at the right rpm...just kinda rough...did my changing those marks have and effect? dont remember if it poped before the job.

it sounds like it is out of time.

 

[Larry L]

popping is just one of the signs. Does your car vibrate at high RPM's?

 

[FASTSPOOLINGST]

yes, the timing is off. read through the vfaq thoroughly and check everything. The popping in the exhaust is probably due to the fact that it is running so rich. Intake cam might be off and your taking in too much fuel at idle.

 

[racer]

Ok I did timing gun and it showed that it is at 5 degrees.How is that!!??

 

[billdo_83]

5* above TDC or 5* below TDC?
if it is above TDC then you need to adjust it so it reads 5* below TDC.