lphillps177

Initially I noticed a rattle noise near the engine / timing belt cover and took it to Firestone (I know, 1st error). They recommended a timing belt & tensioner replace along w/ water pump $1100. I happened to drive by while they were working on it and noticed the tech having fits with it...he threw a wrench in his toolbox in anger, threw his hat at my car in anger, etc

Of course no mention of any issues when I picked it up. I immediately noticed what seemed to be an exhaust leak from the front of the car/under the engine compartment or basically an overall low but strong vibration coming from the engine area. I already had an exhaust leak near the muffler so I couldn't complain a whole lot. I have a 12-month/12,000 mile warranty on the TB job but couldn't return it as I needed trans. back n forth to work.

It feels like a front end exhaust leak but I can't diagnose it myself as I don't have a lift. It's perfectly quiet @ idle but gets louder as RPMs increase. It did NOT do this before I took it to Firestone.

I didn't have $1100 cash which is why I took it to Firestone and used their store CC.


Any thoughts guys? Much appreciated, thank you.

TimiK

Take it back there asap

lphillps177

Thank you sir for your reply. I did just that yesterday afternoon. I will post what they say the reason for the vibration is later today.

snobordboy

My bet is on balance shafts out of alignment, or improper tension or pulley alignment on the timing belt.

lphillps177

I had an exhaust leak plugged and welded today and vibration and noise pretty much disappeared. Firestone techs obviously said everything is fine and I have a 12 month 12k warranty.
if left alone, what could possibly go wrong with the balance shaft out of alignment?
car is stronger than before the job. Mechanically fine.

snobordboy

If the balance shafts were out of alignment, you would have very strong engine vibrations, as the shafts are designed to counteract some specific harmonics in the engine, so being out of time with those, would basically shake the engine all the time.

That's nice that fixing an exhaust leak took care of the issue.

Just a suggestion, but learning how to do work on the car yourself might be a good idea, as a basic tool set and the parts to your timing and water pump job would cost a whole lot less than 1100 dollars, and if there are additional finance charges building, on a car that is only worth maybe 4k?

lphillps177

thank you for the advice and notes. I think I also have a bad resonator underneath so that also contributes to the vibration...the welder showed me the rough state of my exhaust.

TimiK

cat backs are pretty cheap, you should have bought new system instead of paying for welding if youre planning to keep the car