Cambelt

[jampot]

My wife's friend took her Lexus to a garage to have the cam belt replaced, they changed the water pump and idler, 5 weeks (180 ) miles later the cam belt snapped with valve to piston contact, the garage said they are not going to explain to a woman who does not know anything about engines, but its nothing to do with the work they done, anything could have caused it to snap, yea pump or idler giving up but they changed them, the cams still turn ok, now who agrees with me it was put on to tight and its their fault, the reason I ask is am I missing something here, maybe 80000 miles later but not 180. 

                                      Just needs some ones advice before I take a ride over there and lose my temper.

 

[Old_Growler]

13 hours ago, jampot said:

My wife's friend took her Lexus to a garage to have the cam belt replaced, they changed the water pump and idler, 5 weeks (180 ) miles later the cam belt snapped with valve to piston contact, the garage said they are not going to explain to a woman who does not know anything about engines, but its nothing to do with the work they done, anything could have caused it to snap, yea pump or idler giving up but they changed them, the cams still turn ok, now who agrees with me it was put on to tight and its their fault, the reason I ask is am I missing something here, maybe 80000 miles later but not 180. 

                                      Just needs some ones advice before I take a ride over there and lose my temper.

 

Hi David It's pointless losing your temper Think it best that you put your complaint in writing and send it sign for (keep at copy + proof of posting from the post office) to the garage giving them 14 days to reply.

I guess by the answer the women received? Its not a main Toyota dealership? It would an idea if a negative response is received to the letter sent (if any) to have the car taken to a main Toyota dealer and a engineers report issued  as to whether the parts used were genuine Toyota or cheap patten part copies? And the reason it failed? If the parts used were not fit for purpose and they were supplied and fitted by the garage then the failure would be down to there workmanship (Only other way it could have failed it a stone entered the belt guard or the belt timing was wrong causing a valve to hit a piston or it dropped a valve) Your? only redress would be though the small claims courts if the garage won't admit liability and you won the case but still not settled then take the claim to the high court and instruct bailliffs to recover the loss. It might also be an idea to check the car insurance as some have built in legal advice and free recovery of loss. If paid on credit card it might? be worth contacting the issuing company as the invoice payment might? be protected under section 75.

[jampot]

I have been to look at the car and the valves have hit the pistons, ( no compression)  taking off the cam belt cover there is still a belt fitted to the vehicle, removing the belt I could turn the camshafts and water pump and idler pulley so what I think has happened is they fitted a belt to tight, it broke, they collected the vehicle and fitted a new belt.

 

I did not touch the car, one of the workshop staff removed cover ect, if there was no belt they could say a stone must have got between the belt and a pulley, but I have never known anything to cause valve to piston contact, other than maybe reving the engine flat out standing still or incorrect timing when fitted.

Thank you by the way for your reply, it has answerd many questions what to do.

[Old_Growler]

1 hour ago, jampot said:

I have been to look at the car and the valves have hit the pistons, ( no compression)  taking off the cam belt cover there is still a belt fitted to the vehicle, removing the belt I could turn the camshafts and water pump and idler pulley so what I think has happened is they fitted a belt to tight, it broke, they collected the vehicle and fitted a new belt.

 

I did not touch the car, one of the workshop staff removed cover ect, if there was no belt they could say a stone must have got between the belt and a pulley, but I have never known anything to cause valve to piston contact, other than maybe reving the engine flat out standing still or incorrect timing when fitted.

Thank you by the way for your reply, it has answerd many questions what to do.

Its a mystery if the belt was still in place and the timing marks correct? It would not be possible (if that's the only damage) for a valve or valves to contact with the pistons even if rev hard as the electronic rev limiter would cut in so yes it is suspicious. As far as I know? most modern Lexus (engine unknown) have a hydraulic  tensioner. You fit the idler making sure it alines the belt with the pulleys then pull the locking pin out of the tensioner. The only way would be to have the head removed an an independent specialized engineer give there written opinion? You would need something if taking anyone to court as magistrates are just lay persons with regards how a car engine works and the garage will end bulling them with science and you? with questions you can't answer.

[jampot]

I know what they have done, the belt broke because it was fitted to tight, they went out to collect the car off the side of the road and when they got the car back to their garage they fitted a new belt,(to look like it had not broken,)  I said tell me how the engine damage was caused if the belt did not break, they said do you understand engines, I said after 44 years of playing around with the yes, , I said we both know what happened so you better put another engine in that girls car, you have 14 days.

[Old_Growler]

Just an after thought if no saying no compression? Turning the camshafts without a belt is not a good idea as the crankshaft and all pistons would need to be in a position not to contact a valve so you would have no compression and unless the cam covers are removed you can't see if all valves are opening and closing as normal..It could be possibility burnt valves if the timing was out.

[jampot]

They made contact last week.

 

[jampot]

Update...   After having a louder word with the workshop foreman they have admitted the cam belt had snapped (only been on 5 weeks ) when they picked the car up, they also admitted to putting another cam belt on to cover up the first snapping and trying to clear the blame on their part, only after this did I tell them I found the broken belt on the side of the road, so its a new engine or I will have a even louder word. To be honest I am disgusted the way they tried to treat a female customer.