Hi
I have just had a new timing belt fitted to my 2000 Astra Coupe, the care was running perfectly before i had it done.
I drove the car out of the garage and it seemed to feel very sluggish. When its idleing, the rev counter is jumping all over the place, and almost goes to stall, then revs itself a bit to keep it running. You can also feel the car shuddering when you are sat it in. When you are driving, and come to stop, the car will now frequently stall.
I took the car straight back, and they told me it was nothing to do with the cam belt, it was the the throttle body that needed cleaning out to sort it. They did this, and its just as bad.
Im presuming that this is connected with the timing belt, and theyve just messed it up? Can anyone shed some light on this?
Thanks
Steve
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TDC not properly marked on removal and adhered to on refitting.
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Sorry, im not really that technical, is there anyway i can prove they have done it? or its connected with the timing belt!?
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what kind of garage would try to wash their hands of this?
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\"a little man in a big world/\"
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It was meant to be a reputable garage in my local area, i was recommended to go there. (Not vauxhall as they wanted 4 times the price nearly)
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the tool to lock the cams is £20 ish from laser i wonder what they used?
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\"a little man in a big world/\"
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well when i went back to complain, he opened up so i could see the belt, held a ruler against some marks and said "You wont get closer than that... see - perfect!" So i wasnt filled with confidence!
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Positive suggestion;
Check to see if any wiring or cennectors have been dislodged, or incorrectly plugged in in that area of the engine bay.
Less positive suggestion;
It might be worth getting the compressions checked. Just because the timing marks line up now doesn't guarante that the garage haven't made an earlier timing mistake, and have covered it up.
Number_Cruncher
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If the he cannot show you the proper locking tool he has bodged it,putting a ruler across means nothing.
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SteveD
Does not sound good and the garage shouldn't just say no problem and walk away. What worrries me is the cost you mention. It simply isn't posible to do this job for one-quarter of the Vx price - either your local Vx garage is grossly overcharging, or corners have been cut. From memory last timing belt I had done on 1.8 Astra cost a little under £200 under at the Vx dealer. About half of the cost was the recommended complete 'kit' - belt plus tensioner pulleys etc. Given the damage failed belts cause I wouldn't recommend pattern parts.
JS
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SteveD, nothing wrong with pattern parts in general. Who do you suppose makes belts & tensioners for the VM's? I think what this story highlights is that there are a number of poorly trained and ill-equipped workshops out there, which blights the good name of the independent garages who undertake training & purchase the correct tensioning/locking tools.
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