Hi I have a 98 accord 4cyl 5 spd with 50k on the clock.
I had my timing belt and balancer replaced by honda dealer friday. now my car idles a litle more rough and shakier than before . before the timingbelt replacement, I can't tell if the car is running or not unless I look at the tech. now I can feel the vibration on the brake pedle. seat, steering wheel. It idles like its got a big cam, kind a like lumpy and shaky. no cel so far.

I don't know what to do. If I take the car back to the dealer I think they are going to tell me that my car is 8 years old and this is the way it runs.

is it possible that they over torque the engine mount? or the ballancer is not installed properly? Since there is no check engine light, I don't think it is off by a tooth. If it is off by a tooth, can the vtech compensate and make the car run like normal?

any thoughts or suggestions?
thanks in advance.

 

Take it back. Demand satisfaction. If the car didn't run like that before the t-belt, tell them so. You just dropped a few hundred dollars; you can at least get your car fixed right.

My car is 13 years old and idles perfectly with 189k.

There is no check engine light for a misinstalled t-belt. Don't overthink things.

 

Check the timing. They probably have it off a tooth, or a balancer shaft is wrong. Take it back.

 

They did the same crap to me on my accord it pinged like hell, timing belt was off a tooth fixed it and the pinging and rough idle went away.

 

thanks guys, I will take the car back tomorrow and keep you posted.

I thought those guy have change timing belts so many times they can do it with eyes closed . guess not, I just hope that they won't tell me to get a fuel system service, new plugs and wires, and bunch of other things supposely to help the idle problem.

 

If it didn't run like that before then as stated it is most likely the balancer belt off a tooth. If they try to give you the runaround ask for the GM. You shouldn't have any problems if you are polite but firm in your resolve.

Even my best techs slip a balancer occasionally. It's called human error and happens to everybody.

 

I went to the dealer on sat, and the tech whom worked on my car wasn't there so I was scheduled for tues.

on tuesday, I explained to the service manager the problem, and he sat in my car to feel the vibration and understood my concern. and he said he told the tech. On the work order, it says retorque motor mount.

half an hour later, the dealer called and told me my car is ready, and recommanded me an oil change and replace the plugs. so I told the lady that I will come pick up the car right away and I don't need oil change nor plugs.

I got in the car and started up and rev it to reach operating temperature, no surprise, still shakes. I drove in to the service bay, and I can see all the service advisors were shock. I talked the the manager again and he said "we retorqued the motor mount for you and we think your car could use a tune up to help the idle. But he said he won't guranteed my car will idle smooth. He also invite the tech to tell me that he LOOK at the car. and he is sured that the timing belt and the balancer belt are installed correctly.
I questioned him how did he determine the results. and he said
1, the timing is correct when tested with a timing gun(which I believe)
2, there is a hole to see the balancer belt and verify installation without removing the timing belt cover.

I look at his face with disbelieve of the 2nd point. he said to me,"are you calling me a liar?" and he left.

I told the manager that I am not satisfied with the work, I was being nice and did not raise my voice any time during the whole process. and he said there isn't anything they can do because he doesn't know how my car ran before the timing belt change and the tech said the belts were installed correctly. He said I can go some where else to get a second opinion but the nearest dealer is almost 2 hours away.

knowing nothing I can do so I left. I have to live with the car now, but I will sell it within 2 years.

We bought a 98 civic, accord and 2000 crv all new from this dealer. and we plan not to spent any more money on this dealer again.

 

Go back and bypass the service department. Go to reception area and politely demand to speak with the general manager or if possible the owner. Depending on the dealer you may have to make an appointment. If they try to push you back to service explain that you already talked to him and he did not address the problem to your satisfaction.

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Make sure you include this information when talking to the GM. If your car really ran better before the service Do Not Give Up. It's shitty service departments like this that give us all a bad name. I hate when dealers get away with **** like this.

 

I had the exact same thing with my 95 EX. I took it back three times and the dealer swore there was nothing wrong with the job they did, and said 'how do I know it wasn't like it when you brought it into the shop'. Needless to say I took it elsewhere and complained to Honda about the dealer.

Another dealer shop found two things, first the balancer shaft was out by two teeth, and the engine mounts were over-torqued. It cost me an extra $70 to fix it, but I've found a great Honda shop and I'm sticking with them from here on in.

 

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2, there is a hole to see the balancer belt and verify installation without removing the timing belt cover.

I look at his face with disbelieve of the 2nd point. he said to me,"are you calling me a liar?" and he left.

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Go back and have the tech show you where the hole is that he can see if the frt balancer shaft is properly aligned ..

also,, under the upper left motor mount which they have to remove to replace t-belt, there is a small bracket ,( 12 mm nut ) that if installed improperly rubs against the mount support and make the engine shake . have them double chk that metal bracket ...