Timing out!

Had my car checked by Camco 88, a turbo technics dealer in Warrington today, because of a lack of power after having the cylinder heads done. (It's a long saga! See: http://www.renaultalpine.co.uk/PHPBB/ph ... .php?t=435 and http://www.renaultalpine.co.uk/PHPBB/ph ... .php?t=320 )

The car runs with a very lumpy idle, the power tails off dramatically after 5000rpm and it generally feels strangled, like it's not breathing properly.

They checked everything out; the turbo, ignition, injectors, plugs, ECU all came out O.K. But they found a high level of hydocarbons in the exhaust, which indicates unburnt fuel and the left bank of cyclinders don't seem to be doing any work. This means basically the gases aren't flowing through that side of the engine properly and is why it feels so strangled and won't rev.

So they concluded that the timing was possibly out on the left bank. When the garage did my cyclinder heads they've possibly moved the timing chain and messed the timing up!

I'm loathe to take it back to the garage that did the cyclinder heads (they originally started work on the car in November!) and am contemplating fixing the timing myself. Does anyone know how feasible a DIY job this is? What do I need to remove before removing the timing chain cover for altering the left bank timing? Where are the timing marks located for checking with a strobe light?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Cheers.

Go onto the tecnical page and download the MRV6 technical manual. This tells you everything on timing up the engine. You should never take notice of the marks on the chains, the timing is setup by markings on the crank shaft and cam pulleys. Timing up the engine with it in situ is a pain, because you need a good view of the front engine, but the back of the car is in the way.

Bits you have to remove are, belts, water pipes, dizzy and shaft, exhaust, bottom pulley, and the myriad of bolts holding the timing cover on!

Thanks David, ever helpful as usual!

I don't have to remove the cam covers?

Ahh yes, didnt say, they are first, as they bolt into the top of the front timing cover..RH ones a pig..