Garage rip off

GCazza

I left my car in for its MOT - which they wouldn't do until I changed the timing belt. Fine - agreed price for that. They were supposed to do it the same day but were too busy. Next day they rang to say had broken a pulley on the fuel pump and had to wait two days for the part to appear.
When I went to the garage to pick it up they are charging me for the pulley, stating that it was seized up and that it had to be removed to change the timing belt. I walked out leaving them with the car and keys.

I rang two Toyota garages and was informed that they shouldn't have been anywhere near the fuel pump pulley when changing the timing belt.

I need my car, its friday etc - what can I do? On principle I do not want to pay for something they broke, especially when I was not told it was a direct risk in changing the timing belt.

vikingaero

With a quick google, the fuel pump pulley goes through the water pump housing on Toyota D4D engines, so it's possible it could break.

Strider590

Don't always rely on what the stealership tells you, the mechanics tend to be 17yr old trainee's and the technical sales staff have never been under the bonnet of a car.

As for the garage your car is at, I would suspect that they'd gone in blind having never worked on that engine before.

GCazza

Thanks - those are actually helpful.

I guess I just go and pay now and get my car....

mcjordi

you dont have to have the timing belt changed for a mot.. but its best to make sure its in reasonable shape before doing so as they rev the engine hard a couple of times to do the emissions check..
normally have to sign a form saying they've explained the risks of the belt snapping etc..

TiTheRev

Strider590 wrote: »

Don't always rely on what the stealership tells you, the mechanics tend to be 17yr old trainee's and the technical sales staff have never been under the bonnet of a car.

As for the garage your car is at, I would suspect that they'd gone in blind having never worked on that engine before.

Broad strokes Strider, broad strokes...

mikey72

If there is no record of the cam belt change it's advised it's done before the MOT.
Some of the fuel pump pulleys are sprung as well, so if it was shot it would have needed to be changed.
You might have been lucky, rather than ripped off, if the belt or tensioner went the engine would have been more expensive to repair or replace.

DonnySaver

vikingaero wrote: »

With a quick google, the fuel pump pulley goes through the water pump housing on Toyota D4D engines, so it's possible it could break.

If it is this type of engine then I think it should have a timing chain, not a timing belt. Therefore, it should not need replacing.

concerned43

I have been in a similar position - I eventually paid up by took a letter saying i was doing so under duress and would be seeking recompence in court. I handed it over and the garage gave me my money back, apologised and gave me my keys. It might not end up that way for you but its worth trying.