Car has been in garage for over a month - say they are looking for a part but give us no updates

AdrianC

fred246 said:

My favourite youtube video for cambelt change is made by SKF, one of the world's largest companies. I can't imagine they produce them specifically for the DIY market so I expect they are made for mechanics to watch. So I will get the same training as a mechanic.

And here's one of the VERY few SKF cambelt videos on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bZj2yZyYzg

If you really think that's pro-level instruction...

fred246

The instructions are the instructions. You can follow text or text with pictures or text with diagrams. That is text with video. It's better than the other options that I previously used.

Jumblebumble

fred246 said:

Call me old fashioned but I thought the job of a garage was to fix a car and then give it back to the customer. I do my own timing belts. I have never broken anything. I have never taken more than 4 hours but I do take a lot of time studying the youtube video the night before. If you get them wrong you can cause serious engine damage which is why I insist on doing my own to make sure the job is done properly. I have a relative you took his to the main dealer for it's first cambelt change. It snapped the day after and that was the end of the car. If you google it you'll find it's quite common. They told him that it was his fault. The tensioner had broken. He had only asked for a cambelt change and hadn't asked them to change the tensioner. Garages will tell you all sorts of stories. Hopefully they are just waiting for the part. If they've messed up and damaged your engine they will have to fix it but sometimes they put a replacement engine in instead. I am just hoping for your sake that they haven't done that.

Why do I suspect that the main dealer advised your relative that the tensioner should be changed but your relative declined ?
What did the Car Manufacturer say when your relative asked them if it was recommended that the tensioner be changed when doing a cambelt?
I always specify that I want a new tenssioner and waterpump but that is because I understand simple engineering in  that if a tighter belt is put against worn bearings it may not end well

fred246

He didn't refuse anything. He knew it was ready for a new cambelt so he took it to the main dealers and asked them to change the cambelt. When it snapped the next day they said, "the cambelt is fine, it's the tensioners that have gone and if you remember you only asked for a new cambelt so it's your fault". It was a lovely car on it's first cambelt change. With a wrecked engine he sold it for a few hundred pounds to someone who said they'd put a replacement engine in. He just accepted it was his fault for not asking.

AdrianC

Tell me again, Fred, how every garage everywhere is just trying to screw extra money out of every punter at every opportunity?

I. Do. Not. Believe. Your. Anecdote.

fred246

They didn't screw any extra money out of him. They just charged him for a cambelt change. It went the next day and that was the end of his car. He sold it to someone else who offered him a few hundred for it. They said the would put a new engine in it. It just made me think I would just rather take responsibility myself and just get it done right.

452

fred246 said:

They didn't screw any extra money out of him. They just charged him for a cambelt change. It went the next day and that was the end of his car. He sold it to someone else who offered him a few hundred for it. They said the would put a new engine in it. It just made me think I would just rather take responsibility myself and just get it done right.

Meanwhile back on track. Are you going to post anything that assists?

fred246

No I think this extra bit has got minute noodles to blame for rolling on the floor laughing. I would never be in the position of the OP because I would just do my own. I was hoping someone who used 'the professionals' might be able to help the OP with the sort of problems you get using 'the professionals'.

Scrapit

fred246 said:

No I think this extra bit has got minute noodles to blame for rolling on the floor laughing. I would never be in the position of the OP because I would just do my own. I was hoping someone who used 'the professionals' might be able to help the OP with the sort of problems you get using 'the professionals'.

Im guessing the main problem here is a global pandemic.

fred246

Garages to remain open during pandemic.