Venting, car in shop for lift diagnosis

[csirani]

Well, I took my celi to the shop this morning AGAIN to look into the lift problem. For the last few months my lift has been weak or not functioning at all. When I first took it to this dealership they stated they tested it and it works fine. They didn't specify what tests were done. So after reading all the posts and having a day off today I decided to try again.

So I get there and I tell the problem to the service advisor. I tell him there's a problem with my VVTLi and the lift doesn't kick in like it's suppose to after 6K. He has a blank look on his face, so I tell him the problem again. I knew there was a problem when the first thing he said was do you rev past 6K. So I take a deep breath and request to talk to a master tech. A few minutes later a master tech arrives to talk to me.

I proceed to tell him the problem. He knows nothing of this matter or problem and he too has a blank look on his face. He said they will charge me if they have to look into the problem becuase they cannot physically see or hear the problem. Again I take a deep breath. So I told him "sir you haven't even test driven the car and already you are stating you are going to charge me" So we go for a test drive.

On an open stretch I shift from 1 - 2 at about 8K immediately he has a pissed tone and goes why do you shift in the redline. Again I take a deep breath. We proceed to take the car back to the shop and he said he goes to do testing with a scan tool. I mentioned the scan might show positive because the VVTLi does kick in and it's a mechanical problem possibly. He doesn't entertain my response.

So I'm at home now waiting to hear back from them. I am truly hoping they call back mentioning that there's a problem. We'll see by the end of the day.

Sorry guys for the long post, is there anything else that I can do on my part. This truly is very frustrating.

Regards,
-Cawas

[NinjaFart]

Tell them to call the Toyota Technical Assistance line, who will be able to help them diagnose the lift problem. I had the same problem with my local Toyota dealership (not understanding what lift is or how to diagnose it), and they called the Toyota Tech line at my request. And 5 hours later, they fixed my lift problem.

[ArchangelX]

I'd say take it to another dealer...they obviously don't know what they're doing!!!

My master technician that rebuilt my engine, knew EXACTLY how lift worked, and what the common problems were assosciated with the car.

He answered ALL of my questions RIGHT THERE, JOHNNY ON THE SPOT.

This master tech is an idiot.

Hell..my Master tech told me he tested out lift, and it was perfectly fine all the way to redline. :AF:

[csirani]

Originally posted by ArchangelX
I'd say take it to another dealer...they obviously don't know what they're doing!!!

My master technician that rebuilt my engine, knew EXACTLY how lift worked, and what the common problems were assosciated with the car.

He answered ALL of my questions RIGHT THERE, JOHNNY ON THE SPOT.

This master tech is an idiot.

Hell..my Master tech told me he tested out lift, and it was perfectly fine all the way to redline. :AF:

Here's something funny Arch, my master tech goes he has been working on Toyotas for 20 years and has never encountered ths problem :chuckles:

Now, you can see why I was a bit frustrated with his logic :)

[ArchangelX]

Welps..seeing how the Celica has only been out for two years...I agree with your frustration. :wtf:

[csirani]

Originally posted by NinjaFart
Tell them to call the Toyota Technical Assistance line, who will be able to help them diagnose the lift problem. I had the same problem with my local Toyota dealership (not understanding what lift is or how to diagnose it), and they called the Toyota Tech line at my request. And 5 hours later, they fixed my lift problem.

Thanks bro, I'll ask if they called them. They did mention that they would call Toyota to troubleshoot.

[rddcelica]

now im curious to see how thi sis gonna trurn out man...good luck to ya

[uansari]

:werd: I am thinking about just replacing my stake bolts as a precaution...it sounds like too much of a pain in the ass to do what you're having to...

Why don't you try to call Toyota and talk to them, maybe they'll call your dealer...

Usman

[csirani]

Ok, good news. I just got a call from the dealership and was told to pick up a rental because they found the problem. The bolt or bolts indeed were broken.

Thanks to this site and everyone's feedback. Special thanks to Griffin and GTSLaid for having the wonderful post in the Technical forum regarding this subject.

~Cheers

[xNiNjAx]

Originally posted by uansari
:werd: I am thinking about just replacing my stake bolts as a precaution...it sounds like too much of a pain in the ass to do what you're having to...

Why don't you try to call Toyota and talk to them, maybe they'll call your dealer...

Usman

If you do this, make an install guide! :D

[01blkgts]

Originally posted by csirani
Ok, good news. I just got a call from the dealership and was told to pick up a rental because they found the problem. The bolt or bolts indeed were broken.

Thanks to this site and everyone's feedback. Special thanks to Griffin and GTSLaid for having the wonderful post in the Technical forum regarding this subject.

~Cheers

hey, did you remove the valve cover and look for it yourself?
or did you just goto the dealer and tell them what the problem "might be"?

[csirani]

Originally posted by 01blkgts


hey, did you remove the valve cover and look for it yourself?
or did you just goto the dealer and tell them what the problem "might be"?

No, I didn't remove the valve cover myself. I just told them about the problem. :)

[MrGan78]

csirani

I am in the same situation as you. Last time I brought my car for the service, I told the service guy my lift wasn't kicking in strong. He also got the blank look on his face. LOL.. Mine does kick in but it doesn't kick in as strong as before. I am guessin' I have the worn out or broken bolts as well. My 1st gear is like really werid, when I hit 6k my front wheels starts to loose traction. 2nd gear I can feel the lift but not as strong. What's your lift like?

[csirani]

Originally posted by MrGan78
csirani

I am in the same situation as you. Last time I brought my car for the service, I told the service guy my lift wasn't kicking in strong. He also got the blank look on his face. LOL.. Mine does kick in but it doesn't kick in as strong as before. I am guessin' I have the worn out or broken bolts as well. My 1st gear is like really werid, when I hit 6k my front wheels starts to loose traction. 2nd gear I can feel the lift but not as strong. What's your lift like?

My lift would "sound" like it would kick in, but it really wasn't doing anything. I had this problem probably after about 6 months from the purchase date. My gears do not seem to act wierd, they r fine now. But Celi's are notorious for syncro problems.

You can visit your dealership again, tell them that you contacted Toyota, BS :) , and they are aware of this problem however its not a TSB. Tell them if the master tech contacts Toyota they should be able to tell him exactly what the problem is and how to resolve it.

If you feel strongly that there's something wrong with your lift your second resolution would be to offer to pay the labor to remove the valve cover. Once they notice the bolt is broken then they won't charge you and cover it under warranty.

I just a call from them today saying the car is ready. Let's hope they got it all fixed. I hope everything works out for you.