engine vibration

Do you mean the serpentine belt for the alternator, A/C and power steering or the timing belt? The serpentine belt is visible from outside the engine, the timing belt is internal and can not be seen without taking off a cover.

if it is the timing belt, it sounds like he either missed a gear tooth when putting the belt on, or he didn't mark the old position and failed to time the engine correctly.

I don't like local service stations or dealers for repairs, but sometimes that is all you have. Are there any reputable independent repair shops in your area? I could suggest several in Austin, TX.

Pat

First of all, ask for the coupon price or package price (even if you don't have the coupon). Now that you'll have this thing apart, go for the complete package (water pump, seals, idlers). The timing belt is about $30, makes no sense to reuse the one installed wrong and may have been damaged due to improper installation.

The station messed up the timing belt installation. Wrong timing or belt tension for starters. Changing a timing belt even long before of the 90K-mile recommendation (like 60K) usually results in a smoother, quieter engine and new found power, not the other way around.

Many of us here do not care for dealer service departments (often overpriced craps shoot at best). Finding a good independent mechanic or learning to do the work ourselves are preferred ways of maintaining our cars.

Do check local indepents specializing in Toyota, ask for references. These timing belt jobs are supposed to be easy. Local service stations "specializing in everything" is not the place.

jim wrote:

Why dont you just tell him to fix it, and dont pay. Nobody here can diagnose it, you dont even say Which belt was done. Or stop payment and have someone else do it.