Resolved 1G Timing belt replacement gone way wrong

[Grandieri]

I'm very sorry if this has ever been asked before as I have searched the whole net for a answer and couldn't find one. I always use the search and get my answers 99% but not this time.

I dropped off my 1990 Laser RS turbo to get its Timing and Balance belts done with all OEM parts with a local mechanic on this past Friday. He called me today to tell me he can't do it and I have to have it towed now. My car only has 113k (all stock) and it ran perfect when I left it with them. He said when he timed it it was 5 teeth off? Is this possible when it ran perfect?

Now its torn apart with the original timing belt off and he refuses to put it back together. Can I time it myself without the belt on. I doubt he did the timing like VFAQ. Or should I just drop it off at the dealership? Please help? .I have lots of experience working on cars, this is not my thing though.

 

[DSM1G90]

Belt has to be on to run ... impossible to run with if off.

Sounds like he'd better get back on it to get it right, or if he can't, HE needs to take it to the dealer and he pays for the repair bill since it's his responsibility as a mechanic to have customer satisfaction since he accepted your request to do a repair.

You could have a viable case to press charges against him...

 

[Kaotic_red]

unless you have proof you are SOL bud. save the headache, dont pay the local mechanic anything considering that he didnt do anything and take it to a reputable business(ie dealership) and get it done. technically you wouldnt be out any money.

 

[Grandieri]

I told him I wasn't going to pay anything and he told me it was a gift to me. . Do you think it will be able to get repaired ok since the belt is gone? I was planning on getting it towed tomorrow. Thanks guys.

 

[spartan69x]

you could very easily do this your self, but if you have the money just have a dealer do it and be done.

 

[nuclearr]

I hope he did not bend the valves and does not want to fix his screw up.

 

[Grandieri]

I hope he did not bend the valves and doenst want to fix his screw up.

Thats what I'm afraid of.

 

[flawlessTSI]

hopefully he dident bend any valves. that mite be why he is trying to get it out the door so fast and not chargeing you any thing. before you tow it take off valve cover and see if any rockers are loose or off.

 

[DSM1G90]

Ya, 5 teeth off almost spells banged up valves .... He's walking away from a fubar that he did - why he doesn't want to touch it now..

..and by offering the "free gift" thingey, he just got out of the cage scott free and you can't touch him...esp. if there is no paperwork trail to prove all of this.

Sorry on this ... - good luck as always - DSM

 

[4g63GalantGSX]

If the car was running when it was dropped off, it is his responsibility to fix his mistake.

 

[Afroclipse]

Tell hime to give you the car back the way you gave it to him, running and timing belt on and tight like it was when you dropped it off. He probably bent valves for real and doesnt want to say so. Being 5 teeth off when putting the belt on is just stupid especially when you are a mechanic, he doesn't want you to start the car at his shop because it is dead in the water.

 

[Grandieri]

I do have a receipt from him stating timing belt and waterpump r&r. What would have caused him to read the timing 5 teeth off while it was runing? He said that it was that way before removal......But refused to install any new parts.

I've learned my leason now I guess. The a hole wont put it back together. I can post his email if anyone would like to read it.................

 

[4g63GalantGSX]

If I were you I would check with your states bureau of automotive repair.

 

[njdaewoo]

Why do these so called " Professionals " always rip off the public? I hate dealing with these clowns because anytime you try to save a buck you end up paying for it in the end. I need my timing belt replaced but every time I crawl under the car and take a look at it, I cringe at the complicated looking setup. I will be doing this once the weather warms up so I will have to suck it up and " Do the damn thing ".
I think he messed something up on your car and he needs some "GOONS " to pay him a visit If your car is messed up and that fool has nothing to say about it get the goons to pay his shop a visit late at night...

 

[beating4g63s]

before you tow this car, have either him or do this yourself before you take it,

1. spin the crank 360 degrees making sure that it doesn't hit a brick wall, if it does (bent/broken valves)
2. check the rockers to see if any have play (also a sign of bent/broken valves)
3. turn the cams with a wrench, make sure the crank is not TDC but halfway (if it stops and you can't turn it bent/broken valves)

if all this checks out then your probably good and no bent valves.

also honestly your mech has to be a tard timing belts on a dsm are sooo easy. even for the novice vfaq and dsmtuners have soooo many detailed write ups, if you can do one timing belt these are simple.

 

[Grandieri]

Thanks much guys.

 

[DSM-sagacious]

I would say do it yourself. It sounds like its already exposed. Line up the timing marks and turn it over. Why pay dealer prices. Plus i would say that mechanic owes you that tow. If he did bend your valves having the dealer do your timing would result in the dealer wanting to charge you a grand or so to replace the head. I say shove a timing diagram in his pocket and tell him to bring it back running for your already agreed price. Otherwise you may be stuck with the expense of repairing his mistake.

 

[Grandieri]

I would say do it yourself. It sounds like its already exposed. Line up the timing marks and turn it over. Why pay dealer prices. Plus i would say that mechanic owes you that tow. If he did bend your valves having the dealer do your timing would result in the dealer wanting to charge you a grand or so to replace the head. I say shove a timing diagram in his pocket and tell him to bring it back running for your already agreed price. Otherwise you may be stuck with the expense of repairing his mistake.

I'm getting it towed for free from a good friend. So If I bring it home and do it myself its ok to turn all the timing points by hand to where they should be???As long as he didn't do any other damage?That guy isn't getting a dollar from me.

 

[spartan69x]

yeah, as they said rotate the crank and check for valve hit, if none then do it your self and call it good. sucks people have to be that way though.

 

[Grandieri]

Yes people like this suck. Just had my second daughter and was trying to save a buck because I'm getting married next month. Guess I have the time to do it myself now.

 

[Afroclipse]

So where is this e-mail and lucky for you a used head goes for about $100 in the market place. I think the motor wont spin and ends at the teeth being 5 apart, turn that hoe at his shop and see if she turns.

 

[DSMopar]

Wow none of you have done a timing belt have you? DO NOT rotate the crank without a timing belt on, YOU WILL contact valves and bend them.

Rotating cams is also a no no unless it's a small amount (just to re-align things).

 

[bryanwheat]

You can rotate the crank, just don't force it, if you have the plugs out and you turn it slowly than you will not ever bend a valve. But yes, you are right, you can't turn the crank 180 degrees with the belt off and the cams is, because there will be a few valves open a little and the piston will hit them. Also even if you have a bent valve, the cam will spin free as long as it isn't at tcd, just a few degrees from tdc will do. I'd just pull the cams and do a leakdown test on the cylinders to see if any valves are bent. I'd be willing to bet that he hit the key with the timing belt off or something like that.

 

[BogusSVO]

if all 4 pistons are at mid stroke, halfway down the bore, you can turn the cams and NOT make contact with the pistons. but do be carfull of having all 4 valves full open in the same cylinder, I have seen a few cases of valve to valve contatact bending the valves, normally big cams and/or +1mm valves in the head.

 

[bigt4g63]

you have been shafted with out any assembly lube, i would definitely hold him accountable for any damages done, you need to be compensated. your DSM will not run 5 teeth off !! ( in other words there is no way possible you drove it there with the timing off)