Timing belt failure after replacement - Getting ripped off?

koi1 · Post by **koi1** » 06 Aug 2010, 22:44

2000 S80 T6. Timing belt replaced at 98,000. Engine damaged after timing belt system component failure at 100,000. Repair shop says it's not their fault. Am I getting ripped off?

Repair shop charged for Timing Belt Kit @$229.
Repair shop charged for Timing Idler Pulley @$128.
Repair shop charged for labor to install above parts.
(Also elected to replace water pump at the same time)

Repair shop's insurance company says that ensuing damage is not their fault because they determined that the tensioner pulley caused the damage and that the "tensioner pulley was an isolated material failure."

So,
1. Is it even possible to determine that the tensioner pulley caused the damage?
2. Doesn't a Timing Belt Kit have the following contents: Belt, tensioner pulley, idler puller? If so, why did I get charged for a Timing Idler Pulley after already getting charged for a Timing Belt Kit? Something doesn't add up there.

My engine is wrecked, and I think I may be getting ripped off. Thanks in advance for any helpful advice.

Ionsignal · Post by **Ionsignal** » 07 Aug 2010, 06:10

It does sound like you paid allot for the parts. eeuroparts lists the belt and both pulleys for $140. But repair shops do mark up the prices.

As far as having the belt fail in 2k mi I would think that is a workmanship issue. If the bearing in the new pulley was not good it would have still lasted more than 2k and would have made some bad noises on it way do destruction.

Did you hear any bad noises before the belt failed or did it just make one big bad noise?

how you can get them to fix you car may involve a lawyer-- or the threat of a lawyer.

good luck,

m

Volvofix1 · Post by **Volvofix1** » 07 Aug 2010, 10:47

Something smells funny here,ask this shop how many Volvo timing belts they have replaced in the past. Do you have the so called defective part? The shops insurance policy would cover them if they left the oil drain plug loose and you lost the engine.Did you speak directly to the insurance company or is this shop trying to blow you off. where is the car now ,do you have possesion of it ? It looks like you are in Va.I am not familiar with with their shop licensing policies. but they must have some sort of regulations for auto repair shops. Find another area shop that advertises Volvo repairs and see if a sign is posted to advise consumers where to call if they have a dispute. I owned a Volvo repair shop in Conn. for 36 years and if there was a problem the DMV would investigate and any wrong doing would result in License suspension. I have never seen a defective tensioner and it is possible to screw it up if not properly installed. Also I am an "expert witness"and work with lawyers to consult in such matters. please get back to me with more details and I will try to advise you further.

You may email me directlyat [email protected]
Dick K.from Fla.

koi1 · Post by **koi1** » 07 Aug 2010, 13:38

To Ionsignal: I did hear a small noise while driving home after the replacement at 98K miles; went back to the shop immediately. The repair shop said a cover was loose. They fixed it (I think) since that small noise disappeared. All sounded normal for the next 2K miles until the one bad noise at 100K.

To Volvofix1: I do not have the part. The car is still at the repair shop (it is where the insurance company inspected it, and I haven't had it towed anywhere else yet). I have spoken to the insurance company, and I have a letter from them stating why they believe they are not responsible. In the letter, they seem to indicate that the repair shop did not replace the tensioner. But that doesn't make sense to me since I was charged for a "Timing Belt Kit." Quoting from the letter: "The failure of the timing belt tensioner pulley was an isolated material failure that was not caused by, or in any way related to the replacements of the timing belt, water pump or idler pulley."
I am away from home (VA) now, but when I get back, I'll look for the sign you mentioned. And I'll start looking into VA licensing, complaints, etc.

Thanks to both for your insights and offer for direct help.

Post by **writer100** » 07 Aug 2010, 15:12

I have a few questions:

1. How long is the warranty for the repair? Are you within that time period?
2. How can the insurance company ascertain that timing belt tensioner caused the timing belt to break?
3. Did the shop recommend that you replace the time belt tensioner? If so, did you refuse?

Certainly if you are within the warranty period, it would seem worthwhile to lawyer up and demand payment with threat of lawsuit.

oughorian · Post by **oughorian** » 07 Aug 2010, 20:10

If they left your timing belt cover loose then they might forget another thing like bolt or nut to be loose and caused damage after 2K. During timing belt removal you have to remove the tensiner also and putting back the tentioner need's special care and procidure I think your engine failure caused by bad workmanship.

koi1 · Post by **koi1** » 09 Aug 2010, 21:46

To writer100
1. Warranty: For Mechanical Service Parts 12 months/12,000 miles. For Labor: 90 days/4,000 miles. Timing belt work was done 8 months and 2000 miles ago.
2. I don't know how the insurance company ascertained that the timing belt tensioner caused the belt to break. I was wondering myself if this definitive determination is even possible.
3. The repair shop did not recommend to replace the tensioner. I didn't even know what a tensioner was until I heard back from the repair shop's insurance company and began to investigate. They only thing the shop recommended was to change the water pump at the same time - which I agreed to do. Also, why would the shop charge me $229 for a timing belt kit (which I now presume includes a tensioner) and then not install it

Anyway, I think I've learned a bit here to do some more investigation and to ask some more pointed questions of the repair shop. Also starting to look for a lawyer who handles stuff like this.

Post by **writer100** » 10 Aug 2010, 14:25

The full contract is probably on the back of the service form. Check it out.

On the face of it, it appears that you are within warranty at least in terms of mileage, if not the timeframe.

The insurance company's conclusion that the timing belt tensioner caused the belt to break is self-serving. Did they inspect the car? If this were true, why wasn't its flaw detected by the shop 2000 miles ago? And if it was, why didn't the shop recommend its replacement at the time?

I'm not sure if the timing belt kit includes a tensioner. Try to find that out. If it does, this only helps your case, whether they installed it or not.

I recommend writing a letter demanding satisfaction with a close of business deadline. Copy the Better Business Bureau. Then if you do not have a lawyer, and no satisfaction is offered, file in small claims.

Good luck. Keep us posted.

Post by **igel513** » 10 Aug 2010, 16:21

Yeah, go to a small claims court w/ all your paper handy. The TB kit sold by FCP includes a tensioner so the shop should have replaced it even w/o asking for your permission. Common sense would dictate that it has to be replaced cuz its a wear item
Good luck and go after those suckers.

koi1 · Post by **koi1** » 12 Aug 2010, 22:39

Thanks to all. I'll keep you posted as this unfolds.