Puma running bad after belt change

[cuesnowy]

Just had the timing belt changed at 70K Puma 1.7 2001, now it running with no power, pinking under stress and making a noise like there’s no air filter! Garage who was recommended doe not have a clue after 3 days working on it. Any ideas please, so I tell the garage what to do???

[neiljohnson]

Sounds like it not timed properly to me. Ask if they have the proper locking tools, should be a small pin that locks the crank and a flat bar with a small cut out to lock the cams. Have a look if the rocker cover has been removed (needs to be removed to lock the cams)if it hasnt then find another garage that will do it properly before you do some serious damage to your engine.

[odyssey2200]

WOT HE SAID!!

[Jon GT2]

I think Neil has hit the nail on the head but just checked all the relevant sensors and pipes are plugged in and connected.

Main Ford Dealer Service Manager

[cuesnowy]

They said the timing had been checked and it’s safe to drive. Their looking at again and I think I’ll take you advice and try a different garage if it’s still the same.

[cuesnowy]

Still a noise after the ‘variable timing’ unit has been changed, left with a shit engine!!!!!. Back to the main dealer and keep away from recommended garages (even if the AA mechanic had recommended them)as this garage has no idea what to do. They had used the fixing kit. Get my wallet ready.

[David Godfrey]

Firstly welcome to PH
If your indead left with a non functional car after a service I would be back there getting them to resolve the issues, if they can not then I'd get from them to pay for it to go into a main dealer to get the issue corrected. Hopefully the dealer can resolve.

[neiljohnson]

If it was okay when it went in and not when it came out then they must have done something, even if timing is right now did they do it wrong first? Id do a compression test done before you spend any more money on parts to establish if it has any bent valves.

[cuesnowy]

They’ve tried everything (so they say) and have completely distanced themselves from the fault, they actually said it’s a complete coincidence and they’ve gone are far as they can. I’ve asked the Ford main dealer to make a report when it goes in on Tuesday to be fixed and if it is their fault I’ll ask for the money from this shit garage and take it from there. Living near Swansea, South Wales I’ve run across some cowboys in the past who try to rip you off but this firm tries to fix it with parts they don’t charge for so I think it’s just a complete lack of knowledge. Still can’t believe they were recommended by the AA mechanic who came out to a different car I have.

[cuesnowy]

Took it to the main Ford dealer, £115 but the car runs brilliant, back to its best. They took it back to the belt stage and found the garage had not used the fixing kit but had marked the cogs with a small mark to reassemble the belt. The timing has been redone and it feels like a different car!!! The garage which messed things up, have agreed to pay the costs (result at last). Sounds like most of the members of Pistonheads have a bit more knowledge than the garage I used ‘well done!’

Thanks