Recently replaced cambelt snapped; advice please.

[wmg100]

Evening all,

I'm looking for it of help for my friend who has just had the cambelt fail on his Octavia vRS (1.8T)

He took the car to his local main dealer for a cambelt replacement 3 weeks ago and yesterday it snapped and has lunched the engine.

Having had it towed to the dealer they have inspected it and said that the engine is a write off but that it was caused by a seized water pump and so they are not liable for the failure. I told him that they should have replaced the water pump as a matter of course, but the dealer are saying that they inspected it and found it to be fine when they did the belt.

If anyone can give any advice on how he should handle this then that would be great. This is the supplying Skoda main dealer that have carried out all maintenance on the car and are so far dodging any responsibility.

[wmg100]

rufusgti said:

I can't really help other than that the water pump is advised to be changed at the same time on the 1.8t. In fact it comes in the parts package.

Im not sure if this will help but if you could speak to another dealer and find out if this is fact then you could approach the dealer with evidence they should have changed it.

I knew it was advised, but if it is in the parts pack and they decided against it that could help his case, ta.

[wmg100]

H_Kan said:

I'd get a second opinion that is is actually the waterpump that has caused this.

Assuming they are telling the truth, then they should have changed it when they did the cambelt or explained to him how they are linked and offered him the choice.

If it is Skoda guidelines to do so and comes as part of the parts package then I think he has a strong case that the dealer should have sorted it.

Will advise getting a second opinion too. As far as I am aware no choice was offered in regard to the waterpump.

[wmg100]

Well I've found a very reasonable specialist just around the corner from the main dealer so hopefully they'll be able to offer a second opinion.

[wmg100]

wolf1 said:

They should have advised you that the tensioner, idlers and waterpump should be replaced at the same time. Check wether that was asked and turned down before continuing.

This advice wasn't given by the garage. No contact was made whilst the car was with them.

[wmg100]

Tyre Tread said:

wmg100 said:

Well I've found a very reasonable specialist just around the corner from the main dealer so hopefully they'll be able to offer a second opinion.

If you're an AA or RAC member ask them to inspect it. You may find they'll do it as part of your membership.

Do you have legal cover on your insurance. Might be useful if you tell the garage this and that you intend to pursue this if hey don't sort it as you hold them responsible.

How old is the car and what mileage BTW

AA recovered the car and said it had knackered 11 valves, will ask if they said any more.

Car is 03 plate on about 60k iirc, was its second cambelt change.