Just had the wet belt replaced on my 2015 1L ecoboost st-line by Arco Ford. Also had the turbo repaired in the process (given it had to be taken off anyway). I drove the car maybe 10m and knew something was up. Theres almost a knocking sensation from the front of the car when pulling away (now i only got as far as 2nd gear because thats how soon i knew). It almost felt like the gears werent working but they never went near the gearbox and i know for a fact this was not an issue at all before i handed the car in. I only had the clutch replaced last year as well so its not a slip.

Engine light also came on (orange). Theyre telling me its the ECU programming in relation to the camshaft (dont know much about cars at all but from what i gathered its something it about the timing of the engine firing being correct but the ECU thinks its wrong and they need to reprogram it again). I dont see how that would cause the knocking sensation. Wouldv've thought knocking is a much bigger issue than ECU programming but i probably dont know what im talking about.

Anyone have any ideas what the issue could be?

Edited June 15, 20232 yr by Zacarhay
Elaborating further on the issue and the opinions of the mechanics

Bent drive shaft would be my number one guess.

Would they go near that taking out the engine and that (probably a stupid question but im doing my best to learn 😂)

 

Also is there a driveshaft in a FWD?

 

If they have removed the complete engine to change the wetbelt, then the answer is 100% yes. Although they don't normally fully remove the engine.

It is not unknown for frustrated mechanics to push/pull and generally leaver things off the driveshaft when things are not going to plan.

They have to completely remove the engine to do the wet belt from what all the garages ive contacted have said so i just went with a ford service for the warrenty (hence i sent turbo off also since it was out anyway)

Could the programming be causing the knocking issue? Like if the crank and cam sensors arent reading the correct position for the ECU?

1 hour ago, Zacarhay said:

Could the programming be causing the knocking issue? Like if the crank and cam sensors arent reading the correct position for the ECU?

Yes, a misfire can feel like that.  Did they give you the exact fault code?

Surely they're fixing it for free as it was fine when you left it with them?

2 hours ago, Zacarhay said:

They have to completely remove the engine to do the wet belt from what all the garages ive contacted have said

I can say that complete removal of the engine is not what is on the official Ford worksheet for the wetcam belt replacement. I've no doubt that it makes the timing belt replacement a lot easier but I'd be very surprised if this now the normal procedure

I need a second opinion from Dr. Ford, @iantt 

From what i know they did remove the engine to replace the belt. As for the repairs they will be doing them for free given the car was fine when it went in other than a snapped turbo shaft which has been repaired. They did call to say the timing was wrong by half a tooth but there is still a knock feeling so they are investigating further. I wont be paying for anymore parts because i know the car went in without a knock. Im not sure what ill do should they refuse to repair for free other than refuse to hand over their courtesy car (which happens to be three times the worth of my own car 😂)

On 6/15/2023 at 9:18 PM, unofix said:

I can say that complete removal of the engine is not what is on the official Ford worksheet for the wetcam belt replacement. I've no doubt that it makes the timing belt replacement a lot easier but I'd be very surprised if this now the normal procedure

I need a second opinion from Dr. Ford, @iantt 

So update,

Sorry for the late update but this has been an absolute disaster. Good read ahead.

The car was mistimed by half a tooth and was the cause of the knock (so the ECU was actually correct). I collected the car the next day and driving it home i thought it felt like it had less power but i had to get home pick up the girlfriend and drive across the country to check in to our hotel. We arrived with 15 mins to spare for check in but towards the end the car really started to reek of oil so i pulled over. Now bare in mind im 2hrs away from the garage and my house at this point. I open the bonnet and did these "professional ford mechanics" only go and forget to put the ***** dipstick back in. I had to run around and find the same make model and mark of my car and check the oil level (as most of it was now in the engine bay instead of in the engine) which i managed and found the oil was at least an inch below the minimum line). I probably should have pulled over sooner but the smell wasnt strong at first and i put it down to the work. It only got bad when i put the foot down on some back roads because i wanted to see if it was just in my head that there was no power (and ill admit i wanted to have a little fun 😂). I had to plug the hole with electrical tape and a ziptie which held until i got back the next two days later (they werent open until then anyway so there was no point cutting my holiday short and i couldnt get a dipstick anywhere else but the tape did its job). 

Now, having gotten the dipstick back and driving the car more than a week there is a new smell (yay....). The engine smells like its burning. The hot, burning metal smell of an engine thats been driven hard but im literally driving it casually to and from work. It also feels like the car has less and less power each day i drive it but only slightly. Note theres no engine lights though so ive no idea what the issue could be. The car also has a leak somewhere and it smells like coolant but im not 100%.

Theyre doing an "investigation" on the 19th of july to see if its damage caused by them or wear and tear. If its wear and tear ill have to pay, which of course theyll say it is but im now down for a fight because this has been a complete joke. The car came out of their service in worse condition than they received it which makes their service not of merchantable quality (maybe my university business course will stand to me more than just getting a job 😂). 

Oh and to make his story even better, the garage is an Arco Ford, apparently the guys to take a ford to, to get it repaired. Some ford mechanics they are.

 

So in short, the engine is totally bu99ered and fit for the scrap heap. Can you just post your registration so we all know not to buy it 🙄

Oh theirs also an odd sound similar to the sound that a timing belt makes when its old. So yeah, happy days

😂😂😂😂😂 Engine wont be buggered for long. Ill be taking them to court if needs be. I have the receipt, warranty and plenty of evidence to show in court how they ***** the car. Work even knows i took a day off to collect the car only to come in the next day without it because theyd ***** it. Ive photos of the engine with no dipstick and the date to back it. Theyll be fixing the engine perfectly or replacing it wether they like it or not. Theyve breached my rights as a consumer of their service by providing a shoddy service and i have what i need to get it rectified