Technical Car running BADLY after cambelt change - HELP

[gillywilly]

Please can anyone offer me any advice.
I had my cambelt changed by a local garage on my Multipla 3 weeks ago. When I got it back it was 'chugging' and stalling frequently. I took it back to the garage who said they had used the wrong tool for that model and would rectify the problem. The car is still running badly and stalling and the garage admit there is a problem but state they cannot diagnose it. I'm so frustrated, and wonder if anyone could shed any light on the problem. They claim the cam belt is now fitted correctly.
Any advice would be greatly received.

 

[jwmultipla]

Hi You don't say if it's petrol or Diesel. either way if they have fitted it wrong by using the wrong tool initially then they could have damaged something ie bent a valve. I suspect you have a petrol which is 16valve therefore potential for more damage if set up incorrectly.
The fact that they have now put the belt on correctly does not alter the fact that they have damaged it at the first attempt.
hope this helps!

 

[gillywilly]

yes it is a petrol 16 valve. Many thanks for your reply.

 

[momoe]

I'd get the garage to do a compression test, if there's been a problem with fitment/timing of the new belt you need to know that the valves are ok.
Don't want a bent valve breaking, it's catastrophic for the engine.
Get the injection timing and and spark timing checked as well.
The garage have an obligation to meet and should be 'encouraged' to do so,
Best of luck

 

[gillywilly]

Thanks for your reply. The garage are implying that they are looking into the problem as a goodwill gesture as they only have my word for it that it wasn't running like this prior to cam belt change. I'm really tearing my hair out!!!

 

[momoe]

OK, response is to be expected from the garage but you left the car with them and any responsible garage would note any defects, such as existing scrapes and dents.
It's also unlikely that they didn't start the car and move it after you left it, again their opportunity to note any rough running.

Timing (valve/ignition) checks don't take long, compression check isn't time consuming either so not unreasonable to ask the garage to do these.

However, at this point, the garage is the best bet for resolving the problem so you need to be firm but understanding, if push comes to shove you will probably end up spending more money with no guarantee you'll get any back.

 

[gillywilly]

UPDATE!
The car has had the cylinder head removed and garage state no evidence of any damage to the valves. Everyone is scratching their heads again. Any further suggestions???

 

[richgarn79]

head off? seems a little severe, surely compresion tests, checking timng all set properly etc would be first port of call.
Plug in with computer and a code read, and examine live data may help too. I'd be reluctant to be pulling head due to additional expense, new head gasket set, bolts etc

 

[MultiPa]

It's a long shot, but I was chatting with a mate last week who said he'd spent a few evenings helping one of his mates with an engine he'd stripped and rebuilt, which was running rough. In the end he realised that he'd put the cams in the wrong way around. When he swapped them back it ran fine - he didn't know if they two were slightly different of just worn different. (it was the engine from a Megane)

Can't see why the garage would have had the cams out (it is twin cam, isn't it?) but thought I'd throw it in anyway.

The timing isn't right for some reason though. Could they have put it together one tooth out?

 

[richgarn79]

It's a long shot, but I was chatting with a mate last week who said he'd spent a few evenings helping one of his mates with an engine he'd stripped and rebuilt, which was running rough. In the end he realised that he'd put the cams in the wrong way around. When he swapped them back it ran fine - he didn't know if they two were slightly different of just worn different. (it was the engine from a Megane)

Can't see why the garage would have had the cams out (it is twin cam, isn't it?) but thought I'd throw it in anyway.

The timing isn't right for some reason though. Could they have put it together one tooth out?

That was my thought - gotta be out slightly

 

[gillywilly]

Thanks for all replies - really helpful. Car has been put back together and returned running smoothly. Garage state they didn't find a problem and don't know why it is now ok, but I'm just happy to have it back.

The only thing it does now is intermittently beeps and says "ABS and EGR fault, stop engine" this doesn't seem to affect the running so I ignore it! Should I be concerned?!!