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Problems after cam belt change


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I took my GTi to a specialists this morning to have the cam belt and water pump changed. I went to collect this afternoon as planned and paid, thinking everything was well.

However, before I left, I had a quick check under the bonnet with the engine running and notice the crank pulley was snaking quite badly. I went straight back inside to express my concerns and they had it back up on the ramps. The crank pulley pin wasn't lined up properly, so they took the pulley off and put it back on properly (after faffing about with bigger and bigger impact drills :rant: ).

There was still some play after this, but it was put down to the crankshaft end float. I said I'd check my other GTi once I got home to confirm and left. I got 10 metres up the road and the engine management light came on. So straight back again and they did a diagnostic check which flagged up crankshaft timing. This was reset and they took it fora test drive, with no problems. So I left again and got a whole mile this time before the light came on again! At this point they were already closed for the day so I left it at a friends house (where it is now).

Sorry the story is a so long-winded! But has anyone got any advice or ideas?

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Hi Jambro,

Is the car running okay? Any rough running or misfiring?

I suspect that the guys who worked upon your car have not set up the timing correctly, which is probably why the engine check warning light is coming on. They would have had to remove the crankshaft pulley to remove the lower cover and or water pump. There is a little woodruff key that sits upon the crankshaft lobe which as you know, guides the crank pulley onto the shaft, l suspect that the key has not been re-fitted correctly, resulting in the wobbly pulley that you saw.

Although as you say, by drilling things out, they may have snapped a bolt off on the pulley, so maybe the wobbling was caused by not having enough pulley bolts to kepp the pulley on the shaft. As those pulley bolts are very easy to snap, especiall when using the incorrect tools!

Those so called specialists may have to partially strip down what they've done, to make sure the timing hasn't jumped a tooth, as this can cause havoc, with warning lights coming on etc... This can be checked with a strobe light.

Let us know how you get on with them if you like, if you decide to take the car back that is. They didn't have spurs upon the walls when you went in did they?

Regards, Dale.

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Crankshaft endfloat.. err NO!

They probably have the belt a tooth out, most places seem to manage it somehow.

I was dubious to say the least. Just checked my other GTi and there is no play at all in the pulley.

Hopefully it'll be a simple fix then tomorrow, unless more damage would've been caused?

Hi Jambro,

Is the car running okay? Any rough running or misfiring?

I suspect that the guys who worked upon your car have not set up the timing correctly, which is probably why the engine check warning light is coming on. They would have had to remove the crankshaft pulley to remove the lower cover and or water pump. There is a little woodruff key that sits upon the crankshaft lobe which as you know, guides the crank pulley onto the shaft, l suspect that the key has not been re-fitted correctly, resulting in the wobbly pulley that you saw.

Although as you say, by drilling things out, they may have snapped a bolt off on the pulley, so maybe the wobbling was caused by not having enough pulley bolts to kepp the pulley on the shaft. As those pulley bolts are very easy to snap, especiall when using the incorrect tools!

Those so called specialists may have to partially strip down what they've done, to make sure the timing hasn't jumped a tooth, as this can cause havoc, with warning lights coming on etc... This can be checked with a strobe light.

Let us know how you get on with them if you like, if you decide to take the car back that is. They didn't have spurs upon the walls when you went in did they?

Regards, Dale.

Hi Dale,

The car seems to be running perfectly, no loss of power and not running rough.

Thanks for your sound advice, hopefully I can use it as ammo tomorrow morning when I try to get it sorted!

Not really sure where I stand, if they try to feed me a load of BS about it not being their fault?

I'll update with how I get on, as I've spent quite a lot of money there already and want to see it sorted!

Cheers,

James

Edited by Jambro
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All sorted now, but not really filled with confidence about the job!

Shame really, as I would have put a bit more work their way if they had done a decent job and not tried to fob me off! It'll teach me not to go with the cheapest option again, as they say 'pay peanuts, get monkeys'

Still looking for a decent specialist in Gloucestershire or surround counties, if anyone has any recommendations?

Thanks for your help guys

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All sorted now, but not really filled with confidence about the job!

Shame really, as I would have put a bit more work their way if they had done a decent job and not tried to fob me off! It'll teach me not to go with the cheapest option again, as they say 'pay peanuts, get monkeys'

Still looking for a decent specialist in Gloucestershire or surround counties, if anyone has any recommendations?

Thanks for your help guys

Badger5?

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Hi James,

I'm not familiar with people in the motor trade up your way. It might be worth trying further afield in your search.

Regards, Dale.

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