Recently we had a 2000 Isuzu Trooper in our shop that had a whirring noise coming from the front of the engine.
What we discovered was causing the noise was worn out camshaft drive gears located inside the cylinder head: a layout rather unique to Isuzu. We also discovered 2 worn out timing belt pulley bearings.
This vehicle has 200,000 kilometers on the clock and just 20,000 kilometers previous, the timing belt was replaced at another shop. They had only replaced the timing belt and not changed any front engine oil seals, the water pump, tensioners or idler pulleys.
Above are all the parts required to do a proper timing belt service on a 2003 Audi 3 litre V6 engine. For this service it requires: 4 Camshaft seals, 4 camshaft o-rings, 1 front crankshaft seal, 2 valve cover gaskets, 2 idler pulleys, 1 water pump, 1 tensioner pulley, 1 tension adjuster and finally 1 timing belt.
To do a proper timing belt replacement – all of these parts should be replaced, for if one fails, the whole job needs to be done again!
This was the case with our Isuzu. How often does that happen? Quite frequently!We have had numerous vehicles where the belt alone has been done only to have it oil soaked in a year or two; or seen the water pump fail 6 months after the timing belt was replaced.
The cost to replace all of the required parts is more expensive up front but if the job needs to be redone even within two or three years this makes the first job a waste of money. The best way, and ultimately the least expensive way is to do it right and that means complete the first time.
Call us to book your appointment and get your car ready for the heavy snow that’s coming…
