Need Some Reliable Chevy Advice!!!

[Cammer]

I know this is a Cobra forum - however, I also know that there are some very knowledgable Chevy folks here also. Any advice regarding my problem would be greatly appreciated - I need some info from someone that I feel I can trust as opposed to someone looking at me with dollar signs in their eyes for a vehicle repair.

My question: My '92 Chevy Lumina 3.4L DOHC engine broke the timing belt - a new belt was installed and the vehicle runs fairly well - it is hard starting(particularly when hot) like the timing is retarded - idle is rough until about 1400 rpms - is there a mechanical adjustment like the old cars for the timing or is this a computer thing??? Would you think that everything was done correctly with this repair or could there have been something pertinent to the repair that was not done??? Could there be more to this that was overlooked???

Any input concerning this question will be greatly appreciated????

PLEASE ADVISE - if you can!!!

Dee Walters/Cammer

[jrussell]

Dee,
I had a similar problem with a '95 Honda after having a timing belt replaced... no power, valve rattle, etc. After wading through all the bu#%&^t and excuses, it appeared they were a tooth or two off. They fixed it and it is running fine with my 16 year old daughter driving it still.
John Russell

[Art Burtt]

My advice buy a FORD

[CHRIS POTTER]

I agree with a tooth or two off, most likely cause.

[Junket]

I agree a tooth off they are a real P---cutter to keep all the marks in line the 4.3's are not prone to slapping valves when a belts goes, but would take a compression test.
Ken

[fordnut]

Cammer,

Tape a hunderd dollar bill to it and, you may be able to sell it for $50.00 to $75.00 it being a cheverolet. LOL

[trularin]

All kidding aside, I suggest you take the car back to the person who put the belt on and indicate you are not satified with the repair.

If that is not an option, get your wrenches out and do the job. It appears the timing is off, probably a tooth. There is no adjustment for the problem if it is a tooth off.

Good luck, hope this helps.

[vettestr]

The best advise is to take it back and give installer the option to fix/check or find problem. That being said and if not an option here is a way to prove proper valve timing and not very difficult as these things go. This will also check the balancer if it has slipped on the rubber between hub and outer ring.
Remove valve cover and install a magnetic base dail indicator on the intake or Ex. valve . Set up should be a version of say Comp cams instructions to degree your cam but at the valve its self not at lifter ( generic description and same if overhead cam on or driving valve opening). Any of the big grinders have instructions to degree their cam available on line. Any point or even reading the spring retainer will work as long as a reading can be repeatable. You will need to know cam specs but even specs on a simular cam will be close enough to tell if off as much as 1 or more teeth on cam drive. Now rotate and look very carefully at the @ 0.50 readings compared to the timing tab and balancer markings. If off a tooth it will show crank timing is 30 or more degrees out of wack.
Good luck as it could be a lot of things besides the cam timing but ya have to start some place. Jeff C

[65cobra427]

Reliable & chevy in the same sentence????? The best advice was to tape a $100 bill to it and sell it for $50... All kidding aside it sounds like the timing is off... Take it back to the place that repaired it...

[Cammer]

I was just asking for some reliable advice about a Chevy - there was no reference to the Chevy being reliable at this point - I was thinking that someone might have some input to this that I could rely on - since most of us on this forum are Cobra owners - know what I mean???

Thanks to all those who offered their reliable advice and I am sure that the other comments were just intended to be funny!

[Ron61]

Cammer,

I just got home from talking to a friend of mine who runs a garage and he changes a lot of these belts. He said they are very easy to get a tooth off and all the above information about that being the case sounds as if it is right on the mark.

Ron

However since it is a Chevy, how can you tell if it is running good or bad?

[4RE KLR]

Dee

This same thing happened to my moms car a couple of years ago. It was infact, that the timming was off. It was a very big deal to take all the front of the engine apart to get to the (new) belt but once it was timmed correctly it ran well until she got her new car.

The mechanic said that, that particular car was one of the hardest ones of all to get correct. They said they were sorry, rented her a car to drive, and re-repaired the car at no charge. It turned out to be a good experiance for all.

[mustangmendez]

Dee
Im hurt
You didnt call me !
It sounds like its a tooth off they are some mothers to get just right .
Let me know if I can help ?
Whats up with the Waco Trip ???????
Big T

[RedBarchetta]

You 100% Ford guys are cold. The Chevy's I've owned have been pretty darn reliable and easy to work on. Same can be said for the Fords I've owned. I could rebuild a SB Chevy blindfolded.....

[fordnut]

The best thing about a Chevy is, I don't own one.

[BevanWright]

Im sure many people are pleased about that fordnut.