Why?

[gixer599]

Why are so many garages scared to work on our car, No garage in my area will do the timing belt on my car, even got an evo specialist and he won't do it. There are more difficult cars about to do the work on.

[Confused]

Because they don't know them, and anything new is scary, and the potential for a ramp/bay to be taken up is too big a risk.

However, you're pretty lucky, because it's not a particularly difficult job, and there are a few of us who are more than willing to provide assistance and guidance. We must have done 10 cambelts at my Garage Weekends over the years.


It's a shame, but that, unfortunately, is the way it is currently...

[TAR]

As Garry said, they don't know the car and don't want the hassle of finding out the procedure.

It's a little time consuming as there are lots of bits to come off before you can access the belt. The actual belt swap and fitting of the water pump and tensioner is bread and butter for a good mechanic.

Hopefully you'll eventually find someone to do it for you.

[gixer599]

Because they don't know them, and anything new is scary, and the potential for a ramp/bay to be taken up is too big a risk.

However, you're pretty lucky, because it's not a particularly difficult job, and there are a few of us who are more than willing to provide assistance and guidance. We must have done 10 cambelts at my Garage Weekends over the years.


It's a shame, but that, unfortunately, is the way it is currently...

It may come down to doing it myself. Had the car 17 years, last 8 off the road due to accident and other problems with her, got into a garage last year to sort the problems out and get it back on the road, got her back working, or so I thought. Battery kept going flat and speedo and odometer wasn't working so back to garage it went still not working so out of the garage it came and now sat at home waiting until I'm fit enough to crawl about to find where the speed sensor is and lock car without alarm so battery doesn't go dead. When I initially found the garage through a recommendation I thought great someone that will work on her, how wrong I was. I believe you when you say they are scared of the unknown.

[Confused]

Most common loss of speedo & odometer is probably the KPH to MPH converter fitted during import.

It's either going to be on top of the gearbox, under the air box, where it's been subjected to engine bay heat plus potential wet.

Else it'll be behind the dash somewhere.

This is where I'd look first for this issue.

As for the battery drain, try removing one fuse at a time until the drain stops (or get hold of an amperage meter, one of the clamp style ones that'll wrap around the positive lead), and again, pull fuses until the current draw drops.

Again, as you said, these aren't any things that is unique to this car, which is a shame that people don't want to take on the jobs.

[gixer599]

As Garry said, they don't know the car and don't want the hassle of finding out the procedure.

It's a little time consuming as there are lots of bits to come off before you can access the belt. The actual belt swap and fitting of the water pump and tensioner is bread and butter for a good mechanic.

Hopefully you'll eventually find someone to do it for you.

Sounds about right, got plenty of time to do it at the moment as off sick from work, unfortunately off due to a accident at brands hatch on a bike, body takes more damage when it's in the gravel at paddock hill. Might just start stripping the bits I can and as I get more mobile, just go for it. Love the car but a pain in the rear sometimes.

[miller]

I wouldnt worry, Norris Designs refused to swap a transfer case on a VR4 recently.

[gixer599]

Most common loss of speedo & odometer is probably the KPH to MPH converter fitted during import.

It's either going to be on top of the gearbox, under the air box, where it's been subjected to engine bay heat plus potential wet.

Else it'll be behind the dash somewhere.

This is where I'd look first for this issue.

As for the battery drain, try removing one fuse at a time until the drain stops (or get hold of an amperage meter, one of the clamp style ones that'll wrap around the positive lead), and again, pull fuses until the current draw drops.

Again, as you said, these aren't any things that is unique to this car, which is a shame that people don't want to take on the jobs.

Ralliart official import, not that makes much difference, speedo worked when it went in, for some reason they had taken the interior apart, only noticed because the gate shield on the selector was broken in the passenger footwell.

Battery drain is the alarm, if I switch it on it will set and then go off without alarm sounding, so indicators going, again all worked when it went into garage, think you can see why I won't take it back to a garage that as screwed it up already.

What does the converter look like? is it something obvious to look for or a right pain

[TAR]

@gixer599 is your car a facelift?

I think the speed sensor changed on the later cars. I think @Nick Mann may have more info on likely positioning of the converter

[Confused]

You'll be looking for probably a smallish box, with 4/5 wires coming out of it, that's obviously not from the factory, probably poorly spliced in somewhere...

[gixer599]

@gixer599 is your car a facelift?

I think the speed sensor changed on the later cars. I think @Nick Mann may have more info on likely positioning of the converter

Yes, one of the dealer bought ones 1999 FL, If they kept it in the same place on them it would make it a whole lot easier to find as I guess I am looking for an in line box. Cheers Tim

[Nick Mann]

Unfortunately the speedo converters were all dealer fitted so there was variation.
Behind the dash is the most likely place, but it could be anywhere.
Behind the clocks, Behind the ash tray or near the gearbox are the three common places.

[gixer599]

Unfortunately the speedo converters were all dealer fitted so there was variation.
Behind the dash is the most likely place, but it could be anywhere.
Behind the clocks, Behind the ash tray or near the gearbox are the three common places.

Nick as it was working when it went in and they took it apart inside the car I think I will start with the gearbox and ashtray, Cheers

[gixer599]

You'll be looking for probably a smallish box, with 4/5 wires coming out of it, that's obviously not from the factory, probably poorly spliced in somewhere...

Thanks Garry, will have a look, hoping they have broken a wire on it when they was "repairing" her.