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Timing Belt Snapped 6 month after purchase

Karl_Lamb
Karl_Lamb Posts: 5 Forumite
edited 4 June 2018 at 5:16PM in Motoring
Hello everyone,


I'm in need of advice has I'm at my wits end. Here's the story:
I bought a van from a RAC approved dealer back in Nov 17. Within 3 weeks i had a DPF fault which they fixed but wasn't cheap as it was under 3 months warranty.


In April i was on my way home from work and the engine started making a rattling noise then died. Tried restarting and all i could hear was a whirring noise.


I contacted the dealership after i was told by the RAC mechanic that it was a possible timing belt failure and would they be able to aid me in getting it fixed, they basically said its not their problem and there is nothing they can do.
I then go to the finance company who seemed to be on my side and was a middle man between me and the dealer trying to source out who was liable for the repairs. After humming and aarring, they said they would be willing to contribute but the finance company needed to send out an independent engineer to diagnose the fault.
He comes out, inspects the van, battery was dead so couldn't turn it over but took my word and 3 other mechanics word for it that the engine was goosed. He files his report and it came back that the dealership wasn't liable because it wasn't faulty at point of sale.
The van has only done 93000 miles and is well below the Ford recommended 150k or 10 years change.
Its had full service history from Ford themselves throughout its life and was in really good condition.


Ive said to the finance company i cant pay for it to be fixed and that you own the van so come and collect it, they said they would sell it on, take the money off the bill i owe and to keep paying it. I told them to !!!! off and that once they take it they aint getting a penny out of me.


I then decided to contact ford themselves to see what they do about manufacturer faults before recommended guidelines...I am waiting on a call back but does anyone have any other advice on faulty parts breaking before manufacturers guidelines for has the van is 6 years old.


The bill is in the range of £1500 to get repaired due to the type of engine it is has the whole engine block needs to come out etc.


I don't want to end up owing £3000 due to finance company picking it up but i cant afford the £1500 at this moment in time.


TIA


Karl

Comments

  • AndyMc.....
    AndyMc..... Posts: 3,248 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Age of van, model and engine?

    It!!!8217;s not a Peugeot 1600 diesel is it?
  • debtdebt
    debtdebt Posts: 949 Forumite
    Age of van, model and engine?

    It!!!8217;s not a Peugeot 1600 diesel is it?

    I doubt it given the OP tried to contact FORD about it.
  • nickcc
    nickcc Posts: 2,265 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    debtdebt wrote: »
    I doubt it given the OP tried to contact FORD about it.

    Presume he means the engine.
  • debtdebt
    debtdebt Posts: 949 Forumite
    The timing belt went 7 months into ownership. If a timing belt goes, you can tell instantly. That would suggest the fault wasn't there at the point of sale. Also, given that the vehicle hadn't reached the stage to have the belt changed, the selling garage can't be held at fault either. Why change something that didn't need changing?
  • AndyMc.....
    AndyMc..... Posts: 3,248 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    debtdebt wrote: »
    I doubt it given the OP tried to contact FORD about it.

    You don’t know much about FORDS then?
  • debtdebt
    debtdebt Posts: 949 Forumite
    Yeah realised that as I was typing...
  • Karl_Lamb
    Karl_Lamb Posts: 5 Forumite
    edited 4 June 2018 at 7:12PM
    Ford transit Connect 1.8 TDCI 2012 is the make and model. Its the stupid wet belt engine type Ford decided to use which has to be so Ive heard one of the worst engines in the existence of engines ha.


    Its a million % the timing belt. Its been diagnosed off 3 mechanics before the battery went flat due to it being stood still so the independent couldn't turn the engine over.

    Would it be classed as a manufacturers fault if it goes way before they recommend changing it?
  • AndyMc.....
    AndyMc..... Posts: 3,248 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Karl_Lamb wrote: »
    Ford transit Connect 1.8 TDCI 2012 is the make and model. Its the stupid wet belt engine type Ford decided to use which has to be so Ive heard one of the worst engines in the existence of engines ha.


    Would it be classed as a manufacturers fault if it goes way before they recommend changing it?

    No, it’s just your bad luck.
  • Karl_Lamb
    Karl_Lamb Posts: 5 Forumite
    Guess it wont hurt trying lol. I dont mind paying towards it, just the initial cost to drop a new one and swap it out for a timing chain and get rid of the wet belt costing the best part of £1500 makes me sick ha
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