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Peter10d

Peter10d

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Headed off on Saturday with camera to Loch Lomond, with car that had just had a new timing belt fitted. As the beautiful sight of the hills with snow on them appeared, I could not wait to get to the first stop. One mile short, terrible noise and a long wait in a ditch for the RAC. Timing had gone with certain cylinder valve damage, cause unknown. The first thoughts were if I have to pay for this, then plans for a new camera this year were out. As the RAC towed me away, the sun was setting on the tops of the snow covered mountain, and I did not have one picture, just broken car and a frozen body.
Anyway went to see the garage owner this morning, who advised he will take full resposibilty for the repair, whetever the cause, at no cost to me. Now that is what I call a decent, honest, hard working guy. Not surprisinly he does not advertise for business, as all his customers return year after year, like myself.
Pity other businesses were not like that:shake:
 
Sounds like a real *******, but at least the garage took responsibility. Although it would be hard for a garage to deny responsibility given that the part that failed was the very thing they'd changed.
 
Sorry to here of your troubles. Isn't an Alfa buy any chance is it? :D It does sound like they have just got the timing wrong. Did they use cam locks?

Anyway I'm glad you are getting it repaired.

Stuart
 
If its owt like my repair on the SAAB you are in for a long wait and weeks in a sh***y hire car................:shake:
 
seems like a good garage owning up to problems, better than the garage i took my car to, got all arsey with me for having the audacity and cheek to take my car back after it started misfiring and the engine management light came on as i left the garage....

shant be taking my car back there thats for sure
 
wegotitugetit said:
did they replace the water pump and tensioner's if not there is the answer

or was it just the belt

they must be replaced at this same time as they only last the same amount of time
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A year ago, I got the timing belt changed, and water pump changed. The dephaser pulley was causing issues recently, so I had to get that changed, which in turn means the timing belt should be changed again. I have been advised that sometimes the new parts can have an effect on existing parts that can't take the strain of the new tension. I suspect something has gone wrong with the lower pulley bolt, as the fan belt is also slightly frayed on the edges. For the fan belt and timing belt to slip at the same time, it can only be the lower pulley belt coming loose I think. The fan belt otherwise looks good. Could the fan belt have gone on the outside and parts of it lodged into the timing belt chamber, hopefully not.
Bit of advice if anyone has a Renault, these dephaser pulleys are a nightmare and it is worth getting it changed when you cahnge the timing belt.
 
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As long as it hasn't holed a piston it'll probably just be a couple of bent valves, it's the labour that's the killer fixing it, his reputation will be worth more to him than the £150 or so in parts it'll cost to fix.
 
Since this little car disaster, checked the Renault Forum (no where near as good as this one. Can't see the reason to be using it regulary unless your car is knackered constantly), and noticed there were plently of folk complaining about Renault's being unreliable. This is my second Renault, had Megane before this, and until now, had no problems. Would be interested to hear people's car experiences, what are the good and bad makes? Thinking of switching back to Ford next time.
 
wanna buy my honda?

sorry to hear your trouble
 
Peter10d said:
Would be interested to hear people's car experiences, what are the good and bad makes? Thinking of switching back to Ford next time.
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I've had 2 Fiats, a 1995 Punto and a 2003 Stilo, and for the amount a crap they get they weren't bad cars. I PX'd my Punto and killed my Stilo by driving through a flood with a stupid induction kit on.

I've driven quite a few cars through work; I'd never want a Vauxhall, I hate the way they drive, same for Fords. I also drove a newish Kia people carrier, which was lovely, even if the handbrake is operated with a pedal :lol:
 
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