i'm fuming - cam belt problem

brookieme · 22-07-2008, 13:31

FABIA 1.9D 2002. Hope you can help We had a cam belt fitted in april after 83,000 miles. We have noticed problems with it since and had it in to be checked. They said everything was ok and that the things we had mentioned we normal. On sunday our car broke down and the man said the cam belt was broken and caused engine damage. The garage say the idler pully stud had sheered and caused the cam to break. We have had this car from new with no problems always been serviced by this dealer. All i would like from you is whether this is true or not. (no names mentioned) after them having checked the car recently i can't believe we are now in this situation.the recovery guy said they should have picked up there was a problem. In his opinion the belt wasn't fitted correctly in the first place.we are booked to go to france on thursday towing our caravan. Just want an honest answer please.
Regards sue

***DGW*** · 22-07-2008, 13:36

Welcome to Briskoda. It might help if you post car model and year then this thread can be moved to a more appropriate forum, eg Octavia 1, for a reply.

bengie · 22-07-2008, 13:39

hello and welcome, we aren't skoda by the way

Skodaboy1983 · 22-07-2008, 13:41

welcome to briskoda, hope you find a fix for your problem.

brookieme · 22-07-2008, 13:57

This is new to me but thak you. I have put in details of my car now. Hope this helps get some useful answers

Stormchaser · 22-07-2008, 14:25

I thinks its upto the dealer now to sort it.
Welcome also.

brookieme · 22-07-2008, 15:27

Don't you think they are passing the problem to us though. Isn't it funny we have a new cam belt fitted then things start going wrong. We tell them things aren't right and they still send us on our way. Then 3 months later the car engine is scrap. the recovery chap said it looked like the timing must have been out on the belt.

bengie · 22-07-2008, 15:34

i would be dealing directly with skoda customer services about this and be pointing out that i thought it was wrong right away and brought this to the attention of skoda only to be turned away. if you get no joy there then i have found the citizens advice bureau (CAB) to be very helpful and have a legal eagle on certain days and times available for free.

brookieme · 22-07-2008, 16:10

thanks bengie I will try that if and when I need too. Might need a financial advisor first my hubby has just bought an octavia so we can still go on holiday and the skoda garage and us will sort out the fabia dispute when we get back.

**VRStu** · 22-07-2008, 17:03

Was the work carried out at a Skoda main dealer using Skoda genuine parts?

cheezemonkhai · 22-07-2008, 17:35

As Stu says, if it was there is a warranty on parts and labour so you shouldn't have to pay for the damage caused.

Lummox · 22-07-2008, 17:43

Before you take the recovery guys obviously excellent diagnostic skills as gospel I wuld consider a few things. First up being if you get the timing wrong when you do a cambelt you find out pretty much straight away, as soon as the key is turned not three months down the line. If the idler pulley stud has sheared (depends on which one they mean) then there is a chance its down to the dealer not doing something correctly, could also be down to a faulty component. Either way without actually seeing it its very difficult to say. But the fact you reported something didnt seem right would indicate they missed a problem in the making, from that point of view you should have a very good case for some help with the repair bill.

brookieme · 22-07-2008, 20:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lummox

Before you take the recovery guys obviously excellent diagnostic skills as gospel I wuld consider a few things. First up being if you get the timing wrong when you do a cambelt you find out pretty much straight away, as soon as the key is turned not three months down the line. If the idler pulley stud has sheared (depends on which one they mean) then there is a chance its down to the dealer not doing something correctly, could also be down to a faulty component. Either way without actually seeing it its very difficult to say. But the fact you reported something didnt seem right would indicate they missed a problem in the making, from that point of view you should have a very good case for some help with the repair bill.

thanks for the info. they are def saying it is the idler pulley stud that sheared off and caused the damage. As far as we know there is no warranty even though it is a big Skoda dealership and they fitted the cam belt 3 months ago. the only help up to now has been to sell us another car so that we can go on holiday on Thursday. Our fabia will be left on there forecourt till we get back they say they will give us something in part exchange.

fordfan · 22-07-2008, 20:35

What was the original invoice for? As well as the belt, did they fit the tensioner, pulleys and may be a water pump as well, or did you instruct them to change the belt only?

brookieme · 22-07-2008, 20:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheezemonkhai

As Stu says, if it was there is a warranty on parts and labour so you shouldn't have to pay for the damage caused.

you would think so Stu but they say no warranty. They are the main dealer of Skoda in our area and we have been with them since 2002 when we bought the car.

brookieme · 22-07-2008, 20:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by VRStu

Was the work carried out at a Skoda main dealer using Skoda genuine parts?

yes main Skoda Dealer genuine parts.

Lummox · 22-07-2008, 20:40

The ony time I seen the main tensioner stud fail is on the early 115bhp PD engines, they were recalled for this. Unless the main nut was over tightened however you would have to be a right monkey to manage this. Ask them why you had them change the cambelt. It was so it didnt break and didnt end up damaging the engine, oh look what happened anyhow. I wouldnt let them fob you off without a real good explanation how they arent to blame. If it is down to a faulty component then thats also not down to you.

Lummox · 22-07-2008, 20:40

And a dealer has to warranty their own work for 12 months after the work is carried out.

postmanpat · 22-07-2008, 20:44

welcome, sorry to hear of your woes. As more knowledgeable people have said

don't let them fob you off, and don't let the worry etc spoil your family holiday, have a great time and then get down their throats when you get home

brookieme · 22-07-2008, 21:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by postmanpat

welcome, sorry to hear of your woes. As more knowledgeable people have said

don't let them fob you off, and don't let the worry etc spoil your family holiday, have a great time and then get down their throats when you get home

Thank you. You have all been so encouraging. We are going to fight this and as we have now a lovely holiday in France to get all our facts together we will come back raring to go.
It just doesn't seem right that we had a great car with no problems it goes in the garage and then this. Has to be something they have done or a faulty part that has been fitted. We are still trying to say our warranty is binding they are coming up with allsorts to say it's not.
I am going to print all these messages off so if there are any more knowledgeable skoda mechanics out there that can help please drop a message on here.
Thank you

from this to

22-07-2008, 13:31	#1
brookieme Briskodian Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 30 Thanks: 6 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	i'm fuming - cam belt problem FABIA 1.9D 2002. Hope you can help We had a cam belt fitted in april after 83,000 miles. We have noticed problems with it since and had it in to be checked. They said everything was ok and that the things we had mentioned we normal. On sunday our car broke down and the man said the cam belt was broken and caused engine damage. The garage say the idler pully stud had sheered and caused the cam to break. We have had this car from new with no problems always been serviced by this dealer. All i would like from you is whether this is true or not. (no names mentioned) after them having checked the car recently i can't believe we are now in this situation.the recovery guy said they should have picked up there was a problem. In his opinion the belt wasn't fitted correctly in the first place.we are booked to go to france on thursday towing our caravan. Just want an honest answer please. Regards sue Last edited by brookieme; 22-07-2008 at 13:51.

22-07-2008, 13:36	#2
*DGW* BRISKODA Staff Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Cambridgeshire Posts: 17,113 Thanks: 48 Thanked 165 Times in 122 Posts	re: i'm fuming - cam belt problem Welcome to Briskoda. It might help if you post car model and year then this thread can be moved to a more appropriate forum, eg Octavia 1, for a reply. __________________ Denis 2002 Octavia 1.8T 4X4 turbo Estate - rebreathed on by Jabba ... 31.93mpg 2007 Fabia vRS - CC, ESP and full leather trim by Seat Surgeons ...48.09 mpg...

22-07-2008, 13:39	#3
bengie splash!!!! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: planet earth Posts: 14,933 Thanks: 15 Thanked 126 Times in 110 Posts	re: i'm fuming - cam belt problem hello and welcome, we aren't skoda by the way __________________ owner of a skoda octavia 4xvrs3

22-07-2008, 13:41	#4
Skodaboy1983 Briskodian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Midlothian/Fife Posts: 8,611 Thanks: 288 Thanked 223 Times in 217 Posts	re: i'm fuming - cam belt problem welcome to briskoda, hope you find a fix for your problem. __________________ 05 Lemon Yellow Fabia vRS, PD160, Green cotton filter, Stripes and B pilar Graphics, Cupra Splitter, Aero Wipers, Rear Number plate surround, silvertec indicators, and led side lights, Forge Strut Brace, Black vRS Alloys, Whiteline ARB!! Soon to come: A House in the Honest Toun!

22-07-2008, 13:57	#5
brookieme Briskodian Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 30 Thanks: 6 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	re: i'm fuming - cam belt problem This is new to me but thak you. I have put in details of my car now. Hope this helps get some useful answers

22-07-2008, 14:25	#6
Stormchaser Briskodian Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 67 Thanks: 3 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	re: i'm fuming - cam belt problem I thinks its upto the dealer now to sort it. Welcome also. __________________ You,ll never catch me!! 75K miles and she,s all standard too.1 owner(me) FSH.

22-07-2008, 15:27	#7
brookieme Briskodian Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 30 Thanks: 6 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: i'm fuming - cam belt problem Don't you think they are passing the problem to us though. Isn't it funny we have a new cam belt fitted then things start going wrong. We tell them things aren't right and they still send us on our way. Then 3 months later the car engine is scrap. the recovery chap said it looked like the timing must have been out on the belt.

22-07-2008, 15:34	#8
bengie splash!!!! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: planet earth Posts: 14,933 Thanks: 15 Thanked 126 Times in 110 Posts	Re: i'm fuming - cam belt problem i would be dealing directly with skoda customer services about this and be pointing out that i thought it was wrong right away and brought this to the attention of skoda only to be turned away. if you get no joy there then i have found the citizens advice bureau (CAB) to be very helpful and have a legal eagle on certain days and times available for free. __________________ owner of a skoda octavia 4xvrs3

22-07-2008, 16:10	#9
brookieme Briskodian Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 30 Thanks: 6 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: i'm fuming - cam belt problem thanks bengie I will try that if and when I need too. Might need a financial advisor first my hubby has just bought an octavia so we can still go on holiday and the skoda garage and us will sort out the fabia dispute when we get back.

22-07-2008, 17:03	#10
VRStu Briskoda Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hampshire Posts: 20,412 Thanks: 113 Thanked 919 Times in 825 Posts	Re: i'm fuming - cam belt problem Was the work carried out at a Skoda main dealer using Skoda genuine parts? __________________ Stu - Freedom Pimp Stu's Websites - http://www.fabia-vrs.com & http://www.octavia-vrs.com Stu's Car - 2007 Octavia vRS, Race Blue, Xenons, Columbus Navigation, Rear Parking Sensors, Maxi Dot, Light Assist, Jumbo Box, 18" Alloys, Stu's Cruise Control & OEM Integrated Bluetooth Telephone. SWMBO's Car - 2008 Seat LEON TDi Stylance, Black Magic, Sports Pack, Rear Parking Sensors. Something for Weekend - 2002 Lotus Elise RaceTech, Gunmetal, Radio, Carpet Mats.

22-07-2008, 17:35	#11
cheezemonkhai Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 14,629 Thanks: 87 Thanked 398 Times in 369 Posts	Re: i'm fuming - cam belt problem As Stu says, if it was there is a warranty on parts and labour so you shouldn't have to pay for the damage caused. __________________ Cars make CO2 and trees absorb CO2. By driving your car you're feeding a tree and helping the environment.

22-07-2008, 17:43	#12
Lummox U18 Automotive Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Newport Pagnell Posts: 21,762 Thanks: 22 Thanked 636 Times in 545 Posts	Re: i'm fuming - cam belt problem Before you take the recovery guys obviously excellent diagnostic skills as gospel I wuld consider a few things. First up being if you get the timing wrong when you do a cambelt you find out pretty much straight away, as soon as the key is turned not three months down the line. If the idler pulley stud has sheared (depends on which one they mean) then there is a chance its down to the dealer not doing something correctly, could also be down to a faulty component. Either way without actually seeing it its very difficult to say. But the fact you reported something didnt seem right would indicate they missed a problem in the making, from that point of view you should have a very good case for some help with the repair bill. __________________ Unit 18 Automotive Services now open Servicing, repairs, modifications you name it we do it. Cupra console bushes at special price, PM for a very competitive quote.

22-07-2008, 20:35	#14
fordfan ECUless Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,948 Thanks: 28 Thanked 224 Times in 195 Posts	Re: i'm fuming - cam belt problem What was the original invoice for? As well as the belt, did they fit the tensioner, pulleys and may be a water pump as well, or did you instruct them to change the belt only?

22-07-2008, 20:40	#17
Lummox U18 Automotive Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Newport Pagnell Posts: 21,762 Thanks: 22 Thanked 636 Times in 545 Posts	Re: i'm fuming - cam belt problem The ony time I seen the main tensioner stud fail is on the early 115bhp PD engines, they were recalled for this. Unless the main nut was over tightened however you would have to be a right monkey to manage this. Ask them why you had them change the cambelt. It was so it didnt break and didnt end up damaging the engine, oh look what happened anyhow. I wouldnt let them fob you off without a real good explanation how they arent to blame. If it is down to a faulty component then thats also not down to you. __________________ Unit 18 Automotive Services now open Servicing, repairs, modifications you name it we do it. Cupra console bushes at special price, PM for a very competitive quote.

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