Faulty timing chain - replaced under warranty.

Jet

I have a 13 plate Citroen DS3 that had a dodgy timing chain replaced 6 months ago free of charge by my local citroen garage.  I am now understanding it is a known fault with this particular model of car.

The car is now making the same noise and the Citroen garage have confirmed that it is the timing chain again.  However, they are saying that the timing chain cannot be replaced free of charge again as the warranty part doesn't have warranty on it (?!) They are suggesting they strip the car down to see why the problem is occurring (at my expense) and then they will speak to Citroen who "may" contribute towards the cost of the repair.

Where do I stand on this?

The_Rainmaker

7 year old car I think any goodwill you get will be a bonus.

KimJongUn88

They’re right. A part replaced under warranty does not come with it’s own warranty unless you’ve paid a contribution towards it.

AdrianC

KimJongUn88 said:

They’re right. A part replaced under warranty does not come with it’s own warranty unless you’ve paid a contribution towards it.

This.

I suspect that they replaced the chain originally, but not the tensioners and pulleys, and they've taken the new chain out quickly. However, the wear issues are exacerbated by low oil level and by inadequate oil changing or poor quality oil. If that's been the case on your car historically, then the internal oil ways may well be a bit clagged, and there's not enough flow to the chain.

You're WAY outside the original manufacturer warranty, so your chance of goodwill from the manufacturer are slim. I presume the warranty that replaced the chain was a used-car one?

Jet

"AdrianC said:

KimJongUn88 said:

They’re right. A part replaced under warranty does not come with it’s own warranty unless you’ve paid a contribution towards it.

This.

I suspect that they replaced the chain originally, but not the tensioners and pulleys, and they've taken the new chain out quickly. However, the wear issues are exacerbated by low oil level and by inadequate oil changing or poor quality oil. If that's been the case on your car historically, then the internal oil ways may well be a bit clagged, and there's not enough flow to the chain.

You're WAY outside the original manufacturer warranty, so your chance of goodwill from the manufacturer are slim. I presume the warranty that replaced the chain was a used-car one?"

No, I had no warranty on it at all. The car has been serviced only by Citroen garages though.  I regularly check the oil and it has been fine in the 7 months since the repair.  I admit to being surprised at the time to getting the repair done for free.  The garage did not even suggest that I contribute towards the repair and I didn't think to offer. Why would I, unless someone had explained the consequences? However, on further investigation via the net, this is a known fault with this engine.  The engine was also installed in Mini Cooper S cars and Mini issued a full recall for their cars affected.  Sadly, Citroen haven't done the same.

I am still waiting for Citroen and the Citroen garage to respond to my complaint.  I'm not holding out much hope, but you never know.

AdrianC

Jet said:
However, on further investigation via the net, this is a known fault with this engine.  The engine was also installed in Mini Cooper S cars and Mini issued a full recall for their cars affected.  Sadly, Citroen haven't done the same.

BMW did in the US... but it took the threat of a class-action lawsuit to make them do it.

They didn't in the UK.

Jet

The end result is that the garage agreed to strip the car down to investigate free of charge. They took over a week to do so and they said they couldn’t find out what the problem was. Put it back together and have told me the noise has miraculously gone away.

I’m now going to trade the car in as I’ve lost all faith in it.