HELP! 98 Sunfire Cams gone!!!

[wandassxxx]

Took my car to mech on Saturday to have map sensor replaced because of strange idle. Have had code test done and the car just passed emissions. The car got had full power and never stalls, does not burn oil or anything. The only one problem was the idle. I left my with the mecha nd returned one hour later to pick her up.....the mech said i have bad news for you.....the map sensor didn't work and i decided to do a compression test on her.......she was off timing and the cams broke while i was doing the compression test......now the car doesn't even turn over, and will need a complete motor overhaul.......Of course they want me to pay a couple of thousand for repairs.......I told them I will see them in court.......How could the cams just break, and if this is the case...would she not have a little life left in her. I believe the mech missed up my car and was to trying to a compression test to see what he had done and then how caused more problems. In the end i said to him, i drove my car in here and I want to drive her out...he said that is not possible.............I'm a women and i need some good advice....my car is still sitting at there shop.

[GTP Dad]

There is no way possible that the cams broke just doing a compression test. If he attempted to correct the timing issue by moving the cams manually he could have broken them. A MAP Sensor not working could not have caused the cams to break either so don't let him tell you a story about that causing the problem. Cams will break if they are stressed such as a bearing seizing up or if the valves were to suddenly freeze in position. The can break by themselves but not both of them at one time. Stick to your guns and find a new mechanic.

[hotbug1776]

For one, GTP is Correct, there is NO WAY a cmpression test broke your cam(s).

What motor do you have? if it's the 2.2L I've never heard of a 2.2L breaking a cam, NEVER.
a 2.4L can lose the timing chain and frag the motor, but, I have NEVER heard of them losing a cam either. if you drove it in there, and the mechanic damaged the motor, then the mechanic is responsible for any damages they may have caused. a rough idle can be as simple as you needing new sparkplugs or the injectors cleaned, the map sensor would have made the car run bad ALL the time since it controls the fuel /air mix at various throttle positions.

Contact a lawyer today, and get your case going, the longer it sits there the longer they have to make more problems, I would get it towed home or to a dealership ASAP to get a dealers thoughts on it. if you were at a dealer when this all happened, get ahold of the Owner, and GM over this.

[wandassxxx]

Originally Posted by GTP Dad

There is no way possible that the cams broke just doing a compression test. If he attempted to correct the timing issue by moving the cams manually he could have broken them. A MAP Sensor not working could not have caused the cams to break either so don't let him tell you a story about that causing the problem. Cams will break if they are stressed such as a bearing seizing up or if the valves were to suddenly freeze in position. The can break by themselves but not both of them at one time. Stick to your guns and find a new mechanic.

I am preparing to now go to court with this. I got my car towed home, where i feel she is safe from the hands of those mean people. I have four good witness and a great deal of paper work to support my case against them. They would have a lot of explaining to do to get out of this one. Thanks for the comment.

[wandassxxx]

Originally Posted by hotbug1776

For one, GTP is Correct, there is NO WAY a cmpression test broke your cam(s).

What motor do you have? if it's the 2.2L I've never heard of a 2.2L breaking a cam, NEVER.
a 2.4L can lose the timing chain and frag the motor, but, I have NEVER heard of them losing a cam either. if you drove it in there, and the mechanic damaged the motor, then the mechanic is responsible for any damages they may have caused. a rough idle can be as simple as you needing new sparkplugs or the injectors cleaned, the map sensor would have made the car run bad ALL the time since it controls the fuel /air mix at various throttle positions.

Contact a lawyer today, and get your case going, the longer it sits there the longer they have to make more problems, I would get it towed home or to a dealership ASAP to get a dealers thoughts on it. if you were at a dealer when this all happened, get ahold of the Owner, and GM over this.

My motor is a 2.4L twin cam. I am getting all my paper work and facts togeather to file my claim. I believe what happen here is that they tried to create work for themselve. I just had my ex call them to see what would have to say to him. They told him that they were adjusting the timing when she gave out, they have a different story for every person. They also that they take her the motor apart on straight time to see what exactly went wrong......they think I should pay $68.00 hour to find their mistakes. I will take my chances in court. thanks for your reply. Canadian Tire is where i had taken my car..I got her towed home yestersay.

[hotbug1776]

there's one mistake right there, you CANNOT adjust the timing on a 2.4L, if they moved the chain even one tooth, the motor is junk, you either lost the intake or the exhaust valves. the 2.4L is a zero deck height motor, without valve reliefs, in other words, if the timing is screwed with and is not set exactly to factory specs, the valves will hit the piston on it's up stroke VERY HARD!! make sure you have a dealer service, the motor for the lawyer, they will do it the right way. I feel for you, if I lived closer I'd do the teardown for free, it's not really that hard to do (done it before to my own car), and I'm not a professional mechanic.

Now you have to decide how much you love your Sunfire, is it enough to get another motor? would you like to upgrade for more power? let me know, I'll give you the address of a few websites, including the one where I got my motor from.