mondeo repairs

silverbiker_2

I put my '57 mondeo in to regular garage for MOT & service. Subsequently informed that whilst putting car on ramp, timing belt snapped causing serious engine damage and now need new/recon engine.
Who is liable for costs , me or garage?
How long is belt supposed to last? It has done 50k.
Many thanks for any advice.

arcon5

If all they did was drive it on the ramp then I don't see how you can hold them liable in the slightest.

Check the service schedule, but it does seem it's failed prematurely. I thought most timing belts lasted anything from 60k to 100k depending on the manufacturer. Might be worth approaching the dealer to see if they are willing to contribute.

Joe_Horner

If it's petrol then the timing belt interval is 80k miles or 60 months. If it's diesel then 40k miles or 60 months

So, if it hasn't been done yet, then it was overdue (albeit slightly) on time and, sadly, time tends to be a bigger killer of timing belts than mileage.

In any case, as it was overdue, you'll have a hard time making any claim against them.


eta: The only possible exception is if it's diesel, in which case they should have checked the cambelt history with you when you dropped it off and refused to test if it was overdue.

Robisere

As an ex-workshop foreman, I can tell you that every decent, reputable garage business should have insurance to cover such eventualities. Armed with this knowledge, ask them very politely to make a contribution. Perhaps waive at least some of the labour costs?

Although I have to say that, if this had happened at my old workplace, I would have checked the Service Replacement Interval and attempted to refuse any contribution, making an eventual decision based upon the customer and their effect upon trade. (Talk in the Pub/restaurant/shops, etc, amount of business done.)

shown73

My 55 Mondeo 1.8 perol has a cam chain with belt driven accessories, so this couldn't happen. Didn't realise that others were different, except diesels of course.

harveybobbles

shown73 wrote: »

My 55 Mondeo 1.8 perol has a cam chain with belt driven accessories, so this couldn't happen. Didn't realise that others were different, except diesels of course.

57 plate will be new shape.

silverbiker_2

arcon5 wrote: »

If all they did was drive it on the ramp then I don't see how you can hold them liable in the slightest.

Check the service schedule, but it does seem it's failed prematurely. I thought most timing belts lasted anything from 60k to 100k depending on the manufacturer. Might be worth approaching the dealer to see if they are willing to contribute.[/Quote

Thanks it's pretty much as I thought, though I can't check schedule yet as it is with the car.

forgotmyname

57 plate can be old and new shape.

All MK3 upto 2007 had chains. From 2007 the MK4 had a belt.

It's past its change date. Based on time not mileage. You should have replaced it last year as a precaution.

Change the belt every 5 years. Even if you do 1 mile a year.

silverbiker_2

Thanks to every one who replied to my query. You have given me a few avenues of thought.

GolfBravo

My guess is that the timing belt snapped not when driving up the ramp, but during the MOT emissions test (not uncommon).

Method of Inspection

Raise the engine speed to around 2500 rpm or half the maximum engine speed if this is lower.
Hold this speed steady for 20 seconds to ensure that the inlet and exhaust system is properly purged. Allow the engine to return to idle and the emissions to stabilise.

a. assess the engine idle speed.

b. assess the smoke emitted from the tailpipe at idle,

c. rapidly increase the engine speed to around 2500rpm or half maximum . engine speed if this is lower and assess the smoke emitted from the tailpipe. Allow the engine to return to idle.

Without a load on the engine it speeds up and down more quickly than when in normal use, and this can cause a bad belt to snap.

harveybobbles

forgotmyname wrote: »

57 plate can be old and new shape.

All MK3 upto 2007 had chains. From 2007 the MK4 had a belt.

It's past its change date. Based on time not mileage. You should have replaced it last year as a precaution.

Change the belt every 5 years. Even if you do 1 mile a year.

I've yet to see a 57 plate old shape. See plenty of other left over cars, but never these.