TheSamba.com :: View topic

Fri Jul 18, 2003 4:12 pm

Hi,

I brought in my 1995 Eurovan (5L, standard trans) to get the timing belt replaced and it has turned into a nightmare for the garage (1.5 weeks so far!). They are a very good garage by all accounts, but are very dumbfounded now! They didn't mark the alignment of the old belt prior to removing it, and now they've realized that "somebody" has put other marks near the factory marks. The short of it is, when they put it all back together the "check engine light" comes on with the code Camshaft Position. They don't want to give it back until this is resolved (on their bill, so I'm not too upset actually), and they've tried lots of things:

1. Different alignments of the belt (at 2hrs for every try, they've tried about 4 different combinations using marks "somebody" else made).

2. Checked that they've got the right belt (apparently there were two part numbers for the 1995 year) -- OK.

3. Considered that it could be the ECM, but are doubtful because the rest of the van runs perfectly (they'll check for sure on Monday with a new ECM).

4. Considered that they put a new distributor in to make sure that isn't the problem (they are doubtful, but may try Monday too).

They are still concerned that it is simply a misalignment of the timing belt, and on Monday they want to confirm with another garage in town on the "absolutely" correct position (ignoring the other marks somebody made).

MY QUESTION: Does anybody have an idea what they should be doing/checking?????

I want to leave on my vacation!!!!!!

Steve

Sun Jul 20, 2003 8:05 am

Have you tried a VW dealership? I would think they could help.

Sun Jul 20, 2003 3:25 pm

The evil dealership:

The owner of the garage finally brought it to the dealership himself (which he has a good relationship with) out of desperation. The dealership just tried to do what he did again (re-align the timing belt) which resolved nothing. THEN, as they were backing it out, the engine quit completely!!!!! They spent four hours at the dealership doing diagnostics and decided finally that the ECM needed replacing ($1400 CDN part). When they told my mechanic this, he was absolutely sure that it couldn't be the ECM. So, guess what the dealership discovered after 4 hours of diagnostics and more????? It was out of gas!!!!! On top of that, they charged my mechanic 2 hours for diagnostic tests they did while it was out of gas (he wasn't impressed). The only positive thing that came out of this latest episode is that although my mechanic can't find the problem, he's trying hard -- and he isn't trying to sell me $1400 parts for no reason at all. I definitely won't go to the dealership!!!!

Steve

Sun Jul 20, 2003 8:27 pm

DAYUM!!!! :O

You're lucky to have such a good mechanic. I know dealerships are like the IRS -- they love to screw you yet you never get kissed :|