Got scammed on a botched timing belt swap. Help? (pic heavy)
04-03-13, 09:49 AM
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Got scammed on a botched timing belt swap. Help? (pic heavy)
I need some serious help guys...
I bought this GS with 75k on it and I noticed the timing and crank seals were going bad and I decided to invest in a timing belt/seal/water pump swap after reading a bit on the forums.
This local mechanic did a bad job I think because I went on a 1000 mile road trip and now it's leaking twice as bad inside the timing cover, down the front of it and pooling on the lower splash guard underneath the car. In fact, the timing gears are coated lightly as well as the belt itself.
I paid him $663.xx for the repair and I'm a poor college student with no more money and a leaking car. Now Im worried the timing belt is ruined because it has oil on it.
Any insight would be great, I haven't called or been back to the shop but I plan on doing that today after getting you guys' opinions. Thanks Club Lexus brahs.
Here's a photo gallery of the problem http://imgur.com/a/xLieS
I bought this GS with 75k on it and I noticed the timing and crank seals were going bad and I decided to invest in a timing belt/seal/water pump swap after reading a bit on the forums.
This local mechanic did a bad job I think because I went on a 1000 mile road trip and now it's leaking twice as bad inside the timing cover, down the front of it and pooling on the lower splash guard underneath the car. In fact, the timing gears are coated lightly as well as the belt itself.
I paid him $663.xx for the repair and I'm a poor college student with no more money and a leaking car. Now Im worried the timing belt is ruined because it has oil on it.
Any insight would be great, I haven't called or been back to the shop but I plan on doing that today after getting you guys' opinions. Thanks Club Lexus brahs.
Here's a photo gallery of the problem http://imgur.com/a/xLieS
Last edited by deathsquad; 04-03-13 at 09:55 AM.
04-03-13, 10:41 AM
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04-03-13, 12:16 PM
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The gear teeth have oil on them, the belt isn't saturated but I'm sure the underside of it has a little oil on it. Should I argue that he should replace it? I heard even a little bit of oil is bad for the belt.
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04-03-13, 01:11 PM
#9
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I hope you contacted him first. Mistakes, defective parts, etc. happen and if the place is rated good they're probably are in the habit of making things right for their customers. Give them a call or better yet stop by and talk with the shop manager.
04-03-13, 02:42 PM
#13
If it's a big enough leak it will get on the belt which will then distribute it to pretty much everything under the cover.
That said - I'd take it back to the mechanic and tell him I want a refund. Then I'd take it elsewhere and have the work done properly!
That said - I'd take it back to the mechanic and tell him I want a refund. Then I'd take it elsewhere and have the work done properly!
04-03-13, 04:45 PM
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Wow I guess it could be those two things as well. I'm not mechanically inclined enough to say unfortunately. How would I go about finding out?
04-04-13, 07:59 AM
#15
The easiest way would be to clean everything up, replace the valve cover gasket and then drive. If the leak is gone you know what the culprit was. If it's still leaking then you're going to have to tear it down and inspect the new cam/crank seals. At the same time you may as well replace the O-ring on the VVT-i pulley.
