less power after timing belt replacement

[geojumper]

Need opinions:

I had the timing belt replaced on my son's '88 and now it has much less power. It will still get up to highway speeds, just takes awhile. Is it possible that one of the gears is off a sprocket? Would the thing even start and drive if this was the case?

Thanks in advance, George in Wisconsin

[atobe]

timing could be off... might wanna take it back for them to check it

[wiccanferret]

I would take it back and play stupid. "I don't know what you did to my car but the acceleration is nothing like it was before." Something along those lines. There's all manner of things that could've been done wrong.

[Doctor J]

Many shops never admitted they make mistake.
They may tell you a b.s. that something else is wrong.
One time the f..ing jerk forgot to re-install the brake hardware and told the customer that it always been like that!
The best thing is to bring someone with you if you are have to argue!

[marc780]

Originally Posted by geojumper

Need opinions:

I had the timing belt replaced on my son's '88 and now it has much less power. It will still get up to highway speeds, just takes awhile. Is it possible that one of the gears is off a sprocket? Would the thing even start and drive if this was the case?

Thanks in advance, George in Wisconsin

yeah sounds like they screwed up the timing belt install alright. (what changed before/after? answer = timing belt.) The mechanic probably put the new belt on wrong and the belt is off one or two teeth. I'm betting you didnt have it done by a dealership because most of their mechanics would know better (working on the same engines every day does make it easier for any mechanic to do things right).

I'd fix it myself and not let them touch my car again but thats just me. there are several good posts here about changing your timing belt and the posts include the steps for aligning the marks on the camshaft pulley and crankshaft with their marks on the engine etc. Too bad your mechanic didn't read those posts before he started wrenching on your engine.