Maryshannon
Probationary Member
- 15
- 11
- May 12, 2019
-
Syracuse,
New_York
As briefly as possible. *I admit I don't understand half of what I'm talking about - I'm telling what I believe to be true*
1997 Spyder GS with 140k on original timing belt. Took it to my regular Midas mechanics in NY (please no general Midas insults, the dealers were just as bad). They changed the timing belt [$1000] but afterward it was misfiring intermittently. Misfired worse at low RPMs. They changed the plugs and wires $300. They said it was old gas, it would clear, and it seemed to clear. Still had an intermittent misfire on cylinder 2. Drove 600 miles or so.
Car suddenly ran very rough, tach was jumping.
Towed to dealership, I was in VA. They found that Midas had allowed the crankshaft position sensor wire to rub the timing belt. It wore through the casing and shorted out. They replaced the timing belt and the CPS. Said slightly reduced compression in cylinder 2stoll some misfire, and recommended having coils changed when I got back to NY. $1200.
About 100 miles later in PA, car died on the highway, wouldn't restart. Dealership in PA said timing had jumped 6 teeth and found pieces of old belt inside the cover.
At this point the service manager told me they wouldn't know if there was more damage until the timing was reset. Reset the timing, scoped the cylinders, saw no damage, removed the lower cover and realized the balance belt had broken. Mechanic said the balance belt was very old and worn and looked like the original. He replaced the balance belt, then told me the car wouldn't start and they assume the engine is shot. $700.
Thoughts? Midas and the VA dealership changed the timing belt without changing the balance belt! Is that malpractice? I believe Midas will cover the $1200 for their CPS error. I could forgive Midas for not knowing to change the balance belt (they should have, of course). But the dealership certainly should not have known to replace the very old worn balance belt! Wouldn't they have seen the balance belt? It was 140k old and didn't last another 100 miles! Do they owe me a new car? Thoughts?
I know that what I ask for and what I'm going to get are not necessarily the same, but I am not sure what is reasonable for me to ask. I could replace my beloved Spyder for $2700. You gotta start somewhere.
Thanks guys, balance belt wrapped around?
1997 Spyder GS with 140k on original timing belt. Took it to my regular Midas mechanics in NY (please no general Midas insults, the dealers were just as bad). They changed the timing belt [$1000] but afterward it was misfiring intermittently. Misfired worse at low RPMs. They changed the plugs and wires $300. They said it was old gas, it would clear, and it seemed to clear. Still had an intermittent misfire on cylinder 2. Drove 600 miles or so.
Car suddenly ran very rough, tach was jumping.
Towed to dealership, I was in VA. They found that Midas had allowed the crankshaft position sensor wire to rub the timing belt. It wore through the casing and shorted out. They replaced the timing belt and the CPS. Said slightly reduced compression in cylinder 2stoll some misfire, and recommended having coils changed when I got back to NY. $1200.
About 100 miles later in PA, car died on the highway, wouldn't restart. Dealership in PA said timing had jumped 6 teeth and found pieces of old belt inside the cover.
At this point the service manager told me they wouldn't know if there was more damage until the timing was reset. Reset the timing, scoped the cylinders, saw no damage, removed the lower cover and realized the balance belt had broken. Mechanic said the balance belt was very old and worn and looked like the original. He replaced the balance belt, then told me the car wouldn't start and they assume the engine is shot. $700.
Thoughts? Midas and the VA dealership changed the timing belt without changing the balance belt! Is that malpractice? I believe Midas will cover the $1200 for their CPS error. I could forgive Midas for not knowing to change the balance belt (they should have, of course). But the dealership certainly should not have known to replace the very old worn balance belt! Wouldn't they have seen the balance belt? It was 140k old and didn't last another 100 miles! Do they owe me a new car? Thoughts?
I know that what I ask for and what I'm going to get are not necessarily the same, but I am not sure what is reasonable for me to ask. I could replace my beloved Spyder for $2700. You gotta start somewhere.
Thanks guys, balance belt wrapped around?
You must be logged in to view this image or video.
Last edited by a moderator:
Glad she’s up and running 
