Ford Mondeo Cambet Snapped 3 days after a 70,000 mile Service

StephenW_2

I'm looking for some advice. I own an X Reg (2001) Ford Mondeo and took my car to an independent garage last Thursday week for its 70,000 mile service. Its not a ford main dealer but I have used this garage over the past few years for services and MOT's. The garage (until now!) seemed quite reliable, and at the same time as the service I asked the garage to check to see how the car was running and to see if any parts were shortly in need of attention/ replacement. However, this morning on the way to my train station the car completely packed up (I was lucky to be able to push the car to the side of the road without injury to me, my wife and two toddlers in the back). I'm a member of the RAC and their mechanics quickly came to check the car and advise me that the cambelt had snapped and that the car is now basically a not economical to repair!! The RAC mechanic said that the cambelt should have been checked by the garage when I had the car serviced last week. I'm thinking that maybe something happened to the car when it was being serviced (had no problems with the car before the service) but my wife heard some engine noises shortly after picking the car up. Not being a mechanic, I could never prove this. Do I have any right to go back to the garage or pursue any sort of claim against them for not picking up (or even causing) this problem during the car service or have I no leg to stand on?

anewman

I think you'd only have a leg to stand on if you asked them to change the belt - and you had an independent report stating categorically that it had not been changed. I look forward to reading other's views though.

hewhoisnotintheknow

not a chance, if they could of predicted it was going to snap they would of told you

Pssst

Do you happen to know what the service interval is on this item? If it has NEVER been changed then you have been on borrowed time. Is your car a diesel?

Do you know what their standard service entails?

Garages will often not be prepared to give commentary on timing belt condition because a visual inspection doesnt always show issues. Best to change it well before service interval and visually inspect regularly for obvious signs or contamination.

As for whether its economic to repair,well it depends on what damage has been done.

If its an interference engine with damage then cost would be anything upwards of £500

goldspanners

you wont get anything from the garage im afraid, unless they specifically told you the belt was in tip top condition and doesnt need changing for xxx amount of miles yet.
its up to you as the owner to know when things like this need replacing,the garage could stand there all day telling you whats due and when but they arent going to.

best bet is to find a 2nd hand engine for the car if you can. but even this plus fitting will cost a good few 100 quid.

sheslookinhot

goldspanners wrote: »

you wont get anything from the garage im afraid, unless they specifically told you the belt was in tip top condition and doesnt need changing for xxx amount of miles yet.
its up to you as the owner to know when things like this need replacing,the garage could stand there all day telling you whats due and when but they arent going to.

best bet is to find a 2nd hand engine for the car if you can. but even this plus fitting will cost a good few 100 quid.

...and remember to change the belt.;)

goldspanners

sheslookinhot wrote: »

...and remember to change the belt.;)

..........and tensioners.

moonrakerz

I think you were just unlucky there, there usually isn't really any warning that the belt is about to go.
Normally Fords are pretty good on their recommendation for cam belt replacement, is it 80,000 for that model ?

jeannieblue

Bad luck.

Its not like they can see the belt and say - 'hey its looking worn' suggest you change it.

We always recommend belt change if we do not know if it has been done. But it is the customers call in the end.

It should say in your service book when yours would've been due, either in miles or years, whatever comes first.

All cars - even same makes - vary huge amounts on when it should be changed.

Recommend you source a secondhand engine - cheapest option, and as said before, get the whole cam belt kit/assembly changed on it too.

vikingaero

goldspanners wrote: »

..........and tensioners.

and water pump whilst you're there.:D

goldspanners

vikingaero wrote: »

and water pump whilst you're there.:D

stuff it, just get to a ford dealer and ask for a new mondeo.