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Timing belt change, now coolant fouled plugs?
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hammerandchain
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Dec 18, 2013, 3:10 PM
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Timing belt change, now coolant fouled plugs?
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2004 Chysler Sebring
2.4L 4 Cyl
130k miles
Hi guys. Thanks up front for taking questions. I just had a new timing belt kit put on my Sebring after the belt snapped out on the road. My engine is non-interference (luckily). Trouble is, the day I got it back, it idles rough and it stalls when I slow down below 1k rpm (slowing for traffic lights or turning into driveways). I take it back in and they tell me I have coolant fouled plugs because "coolant got blown in there when the belt snapped" and something about the throttle body being fouled. They're quoting me for $450 for new plugs, ignition wires, new brake pads and other work. Should they have noticed the ignition problems when they were taking it apart for the time belt? They told me when I picked it up the first time that they had test driven it and everything was fine. I don't see how they could have overlooked a car that stalls at every turn and red light. It also looks as though coolant on plugs may be caused by a blown head gasket. Are these guys stringing me along a series of "newly discovered" repairs?
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 18, 2013, 3:49 PM
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Re: Timing belt change, now coolant fouled plugs?
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Who told you that's not an interference engine?
Although the DOHC is freewheeling, the SOHC is not and that appears to be the only engine available in that car. You definitely could have head and valve damage.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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hammerandchain
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Dec 19, 2013, 5:52 PM
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Re: Timing belt change, now coolant fouled plugs?
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The valve cover says, "DOHC 16 valve".
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 19, 2013, 5:54 PM
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Re: Timing belt change, now coolant fouled plugs?
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Is this a convertible or a sedan?
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hammerandchain
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Dec 19, 2013, 5:58 PM
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Re: Timing belt change, now coolant fouled plugs?
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A sedan.
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Hammer Time
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Dec 19, 2013, 6:09 PM
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Re: Timing belt change, now coolant fouled plugs?
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That's pretty strange. the data base only shows the SOHC available for that vehicle. Is the 8th digit of the VIN a "G"?
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Hammer Time
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Dec 19, 2013, 6:14 PM
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OK, I see it now. Those option were available in the sedan but not the coupe.
To answer your question, No, they wouldn't have paid any attention to the ignition system if they were doing a timing belt. The car didn't run so they would have no way of knowing there was an ignition issue, assuming they are correct in their diagnosis and they didn't just leave a hose off or something.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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hammerandchain
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Dec 19, 2013, 6:18 PM
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Re: Timing belt change, now coolant fouled plugs?
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VIN: 103EL46X04N263059
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hammerandchain
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Dec 19, 2013, 6:21 PM
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Re: Timing belt change, now coolant fouled plugs?
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They claimed to have test driven the vehicle after the belt change and told it me it was running fine.
The first time I turned it over on their lot it idled rough. I drove it around town and on the interstate for 30-40 minutes. Every time I stopped for a red light or slowed for a 90 deg turn it would stall. I can't fathom how they would fail to notice this behavior unless their "test drive" consisted of a loop around the parking lot and back into park.
(This post was edited by hammerandchain on Dec 19, 2013, 6:22 PM)
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Hammer Time
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Dec 19, 2013, 6:27 PM
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Re: Timing belt change, now coolant fouled plugs?
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Well, that really didn't matter. If the issues causing that were unrelated the the timing belt job, then it would be your responsibility. The real question is, are they correct about their diagnosis of did they mess something up in the timing belt job? You might want to take it to a different shop for a second opinion.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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hammerandchain
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Dec 19, 2013, 6:35 PM
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Re: Timing belt change, now coolant fouled plugs?
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Sounds good. Their timing belt job is warranted for two years so there's no risk if they messed it up. Thanks for the advice.
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