Couple of questions after timing belt replacement

[jpawela]

Hi all,

I recently had my timing belt replaced by a mechanic in my home town. I have mixed feelings about these guys but anyway here's my questions:

 

When I drove the truck home, it seemed to run fine, smooth and normal. However I'm really meticulous and wanted to take a peek under the hood to see how things look. I noticed that they neglected to install two screws on the timing belt cover. Is that something to be alarmed about? Will dust and crap get into the timing belt area?

 

Also, it seems that a vacuum line is missing off of this (I have no idea what it is since I'm no mechanic) What is it and does a hose attach to it or something?

Here's a broader area shot...

Last, this ground cable is just hanging around. Anybody know where it attaches to? The other end is just bolted to the body.

 

I know I'm asking a lot here but I'd appreciate any input you have to offer.

[5523Pathfinder]

Well the timing belt bolts are probably not a big deal. They may have stripped when taking them out. they are a special bolt. As long as there is only a few missing, no big deal. If you want a raise a stink, you could.

 

Ok, the vacuum port under the throttle is missing a hose that goes to your evap canister(you are almost pointing right at it in your last pic). You can put your finger on it and should feel vacuum. Not cool leaving it off. I may cause your check engine light to come on, poor fuel mileage, and your evap system isnt working(eviromentaly bad). Either go back and scream or get some vacuum line and reattach.

 

The ground strap goes to your exhaust manifold. The bolt may have broke if all they did was the timing belt. No need to remove it.

[jpawela]

Well the timing belt bolts are probably not a big deal. They may have stripped when taking them out. they are a special bolt. As long as there is only a few missing, no big deal. If you want a raise a stink, you could.

 

Ok, the vacuum port under the throttle is missing a hose that goes to your evap canister(you are almost pointing right at it in your last pic). You can put your finger on it and should feel vacuum. Not cool leaving it off. I may cause your check engine light to come on, poor fuel mileage, and your evap system isnt working(eviromentaly bad). Either go back and scream or get some vacuum line and reattach.

 

The ground strap goes to your exhaust manifold. The bolt may have broke if all they did was the timing belt. No need to remove it.

 

 

Thanks a bunch for the reply. I forgot to mention that the mechanics didn't get the timing marks right the first time and blew a couple of valves. I basically had a free valve job. Thus that's why they would have been messing with the things you pointed out—to get to the heads.

[adamzan]

WTF kind of mechanic did you take it too? I know people make mistakes, but I'm a downright IDIOT and I even managed to change my own tbelt and water pump correctly. I'd be back there in a fit of rage if the truck wasn't put back exactly the way it was when it arrived. Then again I'm a perfectionist. The only thing for me was that one of the rubber washers on a timing cover bolt was cracked and came off, other than that it looks exactly the same.

 

Take it back, express your concerns and if they're at all reputable they'll probably fix it for free.

 

Oh correct me if I'm wrong, but are your exhaust manifold heat shields missing?

Edited August 10, 2008 by redfinder

[MY1PATH]

yeh, you can see the hose missing on the evap canister too! not as noticable case its black plastic intead of shiny metal.

his manifold cover is gone thats prolly where the ground went to. when I did my headders I moved that ground to one of the valve cover screws (just an idea for what to do with it)

they better clean up all their mistakes for free. otherwise you shouldn't go there.

[jpawela]

Took it back to the mechanics and all is well. They fixed the vacum line, installed my distributer shield and missing bolts. The only thing are the manifold shields which I'm pretty sure were missing when I bought the truck. Do I really need them?

 

Anyway, thanks for all the help.

[Slick]

you don't need the manifold heat shields, but you DO need to attach that ground wire (as above, the valve cover is a good spot)

[adamzan]

you don't need the manifold heat shields, but you DO need to attach that ground wire (as above, the valve cover is a good spot)

Mine is disconnected too, looks to have been for quite some time. It is broken off.

[Simon]

That ground is a secondary. As long as you ensure that the main ground from the negative terminal of the battery, to the body is good, you'll be fine.