timing belt kit need help

[NoRice84]

So im about to pay our family mechanic to do my timing belt, he says that he ordered all honda parts etc along with cam seal and crank seal i believe.
My question is that i am wondering if their is a way to check that he actually did the timing belt or not, because recently my friend supposedly had his timing belt done only to find that the mechanic didn't do anything??? So how can i assure myself that he did do it?

[Reignstarz]

So im about to pay our family mechanic to do my timing belt, he says that he ordered all honda parts etc along with cam seal and crank seal i believe.
My question is that i am wondering if their is a way to check that he actually did the timing belt or not, because recently my friend supposedly had his timing belt done only to find that the mechanic didn't do anything??? So how can i assure myself that he did do it?

Ugh well usually when they do timing belt they do water pump too so make sure he does that too. It would be really stupid not to do it.

The way you'll know if he does it. Is if you take the timing cover off and look at the belt before and after you have it done.

Get a receipt so that when he doesn't do it and you pay him you can sue him and get lots of money and pimp out your cb7 and mine

[Father Time]

Take the valve cover off and mark a couple of the inner ribs/teeth of the old belt (before you take it in) and then ask for the old belt/seals back.

[batever]

Well, he's not going to rip you off if he's your family mechanic. If you don't trust him that much maybe don't bring it to him.

but if you really wanted to know, take a silver colored marker or wite-out, pop the valve cover, and scribe a few marks on the old timing belt. Then pop the valve cover again and then turn the engine by hand using a 19mm socket and a long extension on the crankshaft pulley bolt when you get it back and look to see if there's still a mark visible.

but this is going to potentially (though probably not) going to cost you your valve cover seal in the process so you might have buy a new $20 valve cover seal or use The Right Stuff instead of a new gasket for $10.

or mark several of the timing cover mounting bolts with the marker and the timing cover too. If the car comes back with *all* of them in line still then the timing covers weren't removed.


Or ask him to put the old belts and seals and water pump in the trunk in a cardboard box (leave the box in the trunk) when you give him the car. If you feel the need to explain, tell him you've never seen the parts before and are curious what they look like.

[Jon]

My advice, WATCH HIM DO IT. Whenever I deal with a mechanic (friend or not), I always ask if I can watch. Out of all the times I've taken my CB to a mechanic I've only been denied to watch twice, which at that point I took my car elsewhere. This is also a great way to see how the shop is ran, how clean/dirty it is, how they work, etc.. Also a great way to know your mechanic better.

Marking stuff also works, however short of scratching something permanent into the items, if it's paint or a marker that can easily be cleaned/rubbed off.

[RagingAsian]

Frootloops and batever have two excellent suggestions.

I have had my TB and WP replaced twice now. What I always do is I always ask for the parts back, and I always sit there....and if he asks you why, just tell him that he has your only set of wheels. So since he does, ask him if you can watch.

[Reignstarz]

My advice, WATCH HIM DO IT. Whenever I deal with a mechanic (friend or not), I always ask if I can watch. Out of all the times I've taken my CB to a mechanic I've only been denied to watch twice, which at that point I took my car elsewhere. This is also a great way to see how the shop is ran, how clean/dirty it is, how they work, etc.. Also a great way to know your mechanic better.

Marking stuff also works, however short of scratching something permanent into the items, if it's paint or a marker that can easily be cleaned/rubbed off.

Do you know how long it takes to do a timing belt? You really want to sit there that long and watch it? lol

[Jon]

Do you know how long it takes to do a timing belt? You really want to sit there that long and watch it? lol

Yes I know how long it takes, and yes I would watch. I did mine not that long ago too.
I also watched/helped do the timing belt on my Mom's 626 just to make sure it was done.

[NoRice84]

Wow thnx guys, i asked him if i could watch and he said sure!!! only asked for a 6 pack of Coors in return. I happily obliged him.LoL Maybe he will let me use the tools at his shop to do a couple of things myseld, but then again maybe i shouldnt push my luck.

[wed3k]

wow, if you were part of my family, id still charge you.

[batever]

Wow thnx guys, i asked him if i could watch and he said sure!!! only asked for a 6 pack of Coors in return. I happily obliged him.LoL Maybe he will let me use the tools at his shop to do a couple of things myseld, but then again maybe i shouldnt push my luck.

This whole thing about watching the mechanic fix your car is reminding me about this shop I get my car inspected at. All the mechanics there have been working on cars for like 40 years and are all local guys. One of them is a retired fireman.

Their repair bay can fit 3 cars and is all one big space, and by the door at the edge of the bay there's a round card table for customers. There's no physical separation between the little waiting area and the rest of the garage. You can just sit and read magazines and tool catalogs while they do the work and you can see everything and hear the mechanics talk.

The last time I got my car there there were 3 old Polish ladies sitting there, talking while their cars were getting fixed. I'm not sure but I think they might even have all come together so they could chat and visit while the work was being done. I thought it was pretty cool, and actually also pretty hilarious.

Op, It's great that you are going to see it done...if you get a chance, read over the general procedure first so you will have a sense of what he's doing and can appreciate whichever methods he uses to get certain things done.

Although I hate to dissuade anyone from asking just about anything if you're willing to ask (which is a great quality), if it were me I probably wouldn't ask him to use his tools though. Particularly while he's working on the car. At least if it were me, I'd want to control the "operating field" completely while I was doing the job. Plus I think pro mechanics (and carpenters, electricians, whoever) tend to be possessive about their tools and their workplace layout. Not to mention insurance issues. If you know him really well then maybe ask him, otherwise my inclination would be not to.