Hi. My father has just had his car in the garage for a new cylinder head gasket. On its return, there was a noticible lack of power. The car was retuned to the garage, who said the timing was correctly set. The car still lacks power, and is now difficult to start when warm. My father thinks the timing is too far advanced. Is it possible to retard this? or check the timing ourselves? Thanks Mark.

Mark, October 2010

Thanks to everyone for your help. My father decided to take it to another garage, who found that the timing belt was THREE TEETH OUT!. He had them sort it out, and took the bill to the original garage. They were very appologetic, and refunded my father the bill he had just payed. So don't always believe the original garage. Get a second oppinion. Thanks again. Mark.

mark, March 2011

Hi. Thanks for your help in this matter, i will pass your comments on to my father. Mark.

Mark., November 2010

The older type 8 valve had marks on the crank and cam. 2000 and after theres no marks there timed by tools. your going to need the tools to set the up or check it properly! You could take the cover of to see it theres a dot on the crank and a line on the cam but i dont think is going to have them. your best taking it back to the garage and tell them the problems and get them to go over everything they have done ie. vacume pipes elec plugs.
If there is a line on the cam it goes a the 9 0clock position and it lines up with a cut out in the cover.
If theres a dot on the crank it goes abt 8 0clock and lines up with a drop in the alloy casting .
A new timing belt had two lines on it in the right place theses lines matched up with the lines on the crank and cam.

brett, October 2010