cambelt slipped after 5k miles - where do I stand legally?
 

My cambelt has jumped after being replaced 5k miles / 7 months ago, A new tensioner was also fitted and I suspect that the tensioner is the root cause here, awaiting inspection to see if further damage has occurred to the valves and pistons.

Where do I stand legally with the garage?

Outside the front door until they open :D

Pmsl, you bet me to it :D

Hmm! The guy posts a perfectly good query concerning possible serious damage to his engine, and he gets the replies above! :(

You reply has hardly pointed him in the right direction. Get another reputable garage to give you a prognosis and a written report qualifying any damage to the engine as a result of the cambelt change. Armed with this, approach the garage that did the work and proceed from therein.:thumb:

Was it a Subaru garage? They usually give a 12month warrenty on belts.
If not, then I would give the garage a chance first to rectify the problem. The tensioner itself may have failed.
And just scroll past the unhelpful comments. Unfortunately this is becoming more common these days. Seems to be fashionable to be a pr*ck!

You got to admit it was quite funny:D

sorry about the cambelt i hope its all ok :)

It was a reputable aftermarket specialist who changed it. Unfortunately they're a fair distance away. I was satisfied with the quality of their work, done with due care and attention, I guess that in this case it's difficult to diagnose the root cause which is my concern, how do you prove what caused the problem - likely by spending a lot of money on a formal diagnosis, perhaps only to find that the tensioner or belt only is covered, here's your £89 for the belt sir....having just trailered the car and spend hundreds on an independent diagnosis. I tried to claim on car warranties before and have had a 0% success rate.

As I said, give the garage a chance to respond first. You never know. How fast were you going when you noticed a problem?

I wasn't, the car was in the drive and it jumped upon startup. I hope (fingers crossed) there's no further damage.

Where abouts are you mate. I know a guy that can change an impreza cambelt for £140 + belt at your home, if you're interested. You can then claim it back from the garage if anything turns out to be faulty.

Already had it off to find out the problem, thanks anyway.

Get a life mate :rolleyes:

:brickwall

It was actually quite funny, didn't in itself detract from the thread topic, however now you have multiple posts moaning about it.

and I've just created another one, DAM.
Just leave it !


Andy

I've only ever done one cambelt myself, and that on a Clio, (NEVER again on THAT model:( ).

The reason I don't do them is because the repair is guaranteed on every one I've HAD done, for at least 6 months, but NOT if you DIY.

Good luck with the garage.

Care to give us an idea WHERE the specialist is?

Alcazar

Ignore me ;)

Baggers,

Legally the parts and the work done by a garage have to be fit for purpose. 5k miles and 7 months would indicate that they were not (unless of course there is something else wrong with the engine). Firstly you should tell the garage what has happened and give them the opportunity to put it right. If they try to duck their responsibilities tell them in writing that you will get the car repaired elsewhere and you will claim the cost back in the Small Claims Court (there's plenty of info on the web). Just make sure you get a proper report from a reputable garage on the reasons and effects of the failure.

I just had a faulty tensioner changed (fitted in Feb 06 - it wasn't leaking just down on pressure) and got the cost back from Subaru on a goodwill claim as the part was fitted under warranty. I am told that faulty tensioners are not uncommon so yours could be part of a bad batch. Luckily I spotted the noise before any damage was done.

Good luck

Francis K

pmsl

You may be right, but with your wise and constructive reply to the original question, you reckon you dont need one either?? :confused:
JohnD

PS Apologies to Baggers for the pointless banter!