Power Stearing Is Not Working Since The Timing Chain Got Replaced

[rohit20]

Hi All

I am looking for a genuine advice from you guys . I have a totyota Avensis 1.8 VVTI car of year 2002. My car had recently a problem with timing chain and got it replaced from Kwik Fit Adkins Corner Cambridge.

They have replaced the timing chain and it took a week to fix this problem in the garage and when they delivered the car to me. It was a different stearing very stiff and difficult to take turn.

In simple words they simply fu**d up the power stearing wwhen I told them to get it fixed as it used to be. They have simply denied with their responsibility.

Can anyone tell me is there relation with timing chain and power stearing servo pump which could be disturbed or broken by kwik fit mechanic.

Many Thanks

Rohit

[waqar_lionheart]

Have you thought about power steering pump going bad coincidentally? do you have power steering fluid in the reservoir. I have a 2001 1.8 gs vvti and I am not sure but i think my pump is driven from serpentine belt. If all other things that run from this belt, i.e. alternator, air con, i think water pump as well, then i think its just your powersteering pump.

regards,

waqar

[Exvec]

Oh dear "Kwik Fit"..other Garages are available..and probably should be used come to that...

[Konrad C]

I would go further and say to check the fluid and joints. Also get another mechanic to look at the system.

Konrad

[VTTI]

I wouldn't trust kwik fit with a big job like that.

Id do as suggested take it else where to have it checked properly

[Druid Boy]

Take it to a reputable workshop and get them to diagnose the problem. Also get them to express an opinion on whether it may have been caused by the timing chain work. If they can definitely link the two then you probably have a case against kwik fit.

If the link can't be proven then you may have to take it on the chin and accept that it has cost a few quid but at least you will have learned that there are certain companies you wouldn't trust with a complex job. A kwik job maybe, but not a complex one.

[Black Knight]

The power steering pump is located on some bolts that go thought the exhaust side of the chain cover. If they changed the timing chain they have to take the power steering pump off to get the chain cover off

[Konrad C]

The power steering pump is located on some bolts that go thought the exhaust side of the chain cover. If they changed the timing chain they have to take the power steering pump off to get the chain cover off

My Haynes manual confirms what Black Knight has said.

The power steering pump has to be unbolted to as part of the time chain case removal. It can be held to one side without disconnecting the pipes.

Until an independent garage who knows what to look for checks, Rohit cannot really do anything to claim from Kwikfit yet.

A guess is that the system was disconnected and drained and not been topped up. The powersteering system has not put back together properly. The pipes for the powersteering have been wrongly routed or kinked.

The person in Kwik-fit needs to be reported if it is found that he is at fault! You need the evidence first.

Konrad

[rohit20]

Hi Guys

Many Thanks for your valuable inputs. I have a query with Konard and Black Knight. How can I make a strong case against Kwik Fit if I want to go to consumer court as it looks like that they have done something miserably wrong while fixing the timing chain issue.

Will Haynes manual be enough to support my case that there is possibility that they have touched the power stearing pump.

Many Thanks

Rohit

[Konrad C]

The Haynes manual states that the power steering pump has to be unbolted and moved out of the way, as part of the timing case removal. It does not explain why, but it is in print.

Somebody with the 1.8 vvti engine need to confirm that the bracket the pump is mounted on, shares the same bolts as the timing cover. If this is the case, then the Kwik-Fit person who did the work, had to touch the pump, otherwise he would be lying.

A good mechanic or Toyota specialist report, plus a few high quality, detailed photos will help prove that the pump had to be moved.

The more supporting evidence you have, the better.

Konrad

[Exvec]

?Have you approached Kwik Fit yet and informed them of your problem,see what they say first before doing anything.

[Konrad C]

?Have you approached Kwik Fit yet and informed them of your problem,see what they say first before doing anything.

Rohin stated in his original post that Kwik Fit said 'it is not there problem'! So the answer is yes.

[Druid Boy]

This all hinges upon what you want to achieve as an outcome. If you just want it fixed you can:

pay someone to put it right or

get someone to prepare a report proving that kwik fit did it wrong, put it right and then pursue kwik fit for your charges

go back to kwik fit armed with evidence that the power steering pump has to be moved in order for them to do the timing chain and see if they can put it right.

Frankly I wouldn't let kwik fit touch the car again.

Its really up to you which way you go but, assuming you won't go back to kwik fit, this is going to cost you in the short term but you may be able to get your money back in the long term.

Have you tried Kwik Fit head office? They may be able to help you out.