The repair shop refused to do a timing-chain job. What now?
John Paul, AAA Northeast's Car Doctor, answers a question from a reader wondering where to go for a Ford F-150 repair.
Q. A friend of mine owns a 2004 Ford F-150. Recently the truck wouldn’t start so he had it towed to his usual repair shop. The shop told him that he needs a new timing chain, but was honest enough to say that the job is beyond their capabilities. What should I do now?A. It’s good to see that the shop acknowledged their limitations. Too many times I’ve seen technicians get in over their heads on repairs. The repair itself is an all-day job. Along with the timing chain and gears, the chain tensioners should also be replaced. A good technician will also look for wear in other components and recommend replacements.
John Paul is AAA Northeast’s Car Doctor. He has over 40 years of experience in the automotive business and is an ASE certified master technician. Email your car question to [email protected].
