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[Marks DTM Calib]

Latest position is that VX cannot get the stud out of the head - they need a specialist who cannot do the job til Wednesday. VX
say there are 3 studs and do not believe that problem with just one is a torque problem. They have been told by Luton to try car with a new belt as soon as they can before proceeding further.

Only car they have is a new Agila - not an attractive substitute for the motorway.

Kick up a stink and they will provide a hire car  

I have to say I am getting more and more suspicious!

It now sounds more like an idler bolt that has failed and if that is the case then it is likely to be the one to block, if it is then it will be toast!

Now to snap that one, you really having to go some...cross threaded I wonder!

[feeutfo]

pic of cam belt so you can see what everyone is on about.

 4 cam wheels at the top, smaller adjustable idler in between cam wheels 2 and 3 (the one they are talking about) with torx bolt,torque to 40nm.

the tensioner on the left under cam wheel 1 with nut on smaller stud to adjust, 20nm.

Bottom idler lower right, not adjustable, also 40nm.

[feeutfo]

ok just re read and i just twigged, the only idler that bolts into the engine is the bottom non adjustable one. the idler ,top midlle in previous pic, bolts into a backing plate that carrys the adjustable idler, on the right in this pic, and the tensioner on the left. if they used a cam belt kit for your car, all they do is swap the backing plate with rollers attached.

So, from your post it sounds like the bottom non adjustable pulley bolt has failed...? But that does not bolt into the cylinder head...

[tmx]

complain to Vx direct stealer's are a joke when things go wrong going on my local stealer i doubt Luton even know id demand a new engine and a Suitable hire car ie signum/vectra! remember sale of goods act applies to garages aswell and you have the right to refuse an repair work they do!

[pscocoa]

Thanks for all the support - I am still on holiday so trying not to get too involved as VX Luton are working with dealer. Dealer thinks engine is curtains but has to go through Luton procedure. I do not need a car now until next week as my son got sorted with something else and then for me a runabout will do for a week. Dealer is in touch with Luton and they have been ok in past so will go with the flow until tomorrow night and see if they have got stud out and tried cam.

[pscocoa]

Update - specialist removed bolt from head - there is a fracture down centre of stud - VX Luton were on site for another job and observed that stud did not look good. Another VX Luton guy is coming on wednesday to make a decision as to whether it is a new engine or a rebuild. Local VX say I can have car by friday if it is a new engine - if they are told to strip it dowm it will be a week at least - especially if heads are damaged and they are searching for parts. Apparently there are a few V6 3.2 refurbed engines on shelf.

I have made the point that they have already incurred costs to refurb the engines on shelf so why not give me one of those rather than incur more cost in rebuilding mine and try and keep customer moderately happy. Only the Omega uses this engine.

Will go and pick up an Agila courtsey car tomorrow

[chrisdb]

Where would one of us stand if this happend to us due to faulty parts? How would we be able to prove it?

[feeutfo]

i wondered about that, i think i saw trade club parts haveing a 2 year warranty? Not sure about the time scale but i guess the real issue is how do you prove it was fitted correctly if not fitted by them? In the event of a diy failure, first thing they will say is, you must have over torqued it, or whatever.

Does seen like the garage are being reasonable in this case, if a little slow perhaps.

[pscocoa]

I am getting very suspicious of what is happening with VX bolts and studs. I had the dual mass flywheel and clutch problem (common fault on the diesel apparently due to torque) on the Signum about 2/3 months ago which was replaced under warranty not at usual VX dealer (where Omega is now) but another one local to me as it had to be towed.

About 2 weeks later on another trip back from Cornwall a rattling begins - turns out the drive shaft bearing cover bolts have come off - had to wait best part of 2 weeks for parts to arrive - VX gave us ok cars for both periods off road.

[Marks DTM Calib]

I am getting very suspicious of what is happening with VX bolts and studs. I had the dual mass flywheel and clutch problem (common fault on the diesel apparently due to torque) on the Signum about 2/3 months ago which was replaced under warranty not at usual VX dealer (where Omega is now) but another one local to me as it had to be towed.

About 2 weeks later on another trip back from Cornwall a rattling begins - turns out the drive shaft bearing cover bolts have come off - had to wait best part of 2 weeks for parts to arrive - VX gave us ok cars for both periods off road.

Sounds like another example of inferior workmanship by the fitters again to be honest!

The rive shafts etc have to be removed to get to the DMF!

[pscocoa]

Update- VX Luton attended yesterday - they dispute the fractured bolt even though the specialist called in to remove it is of the opinion that it is a flaw in the bolt. VX Luton consider that dealer did not tighten bolts properly - eventhough car was run and MOTd and passed emsions test afterwards. This in contrast to other opinions on this site that it may have been over tightened.

Dealer and VX Luton now have to slug it out. Dealer is being very fair and is fitting new engine monday and all the parts are being sent for independent analysis. Left to VX Luton the car would just stay there until the parties had come to a conclusion so I am grateful for the dealer in making a decision to sort me ouit and deal with the consequences later. At retail prices this has got to be £4500 - I think the engine alone  is £3000.

[Lazydocker]

Sounds like a good result really... Shame you've had the stress and inconvenience but a new engine.... Well done to your local dealer for just sorting it and then fighting it out later

[pscocoa]

Update - interesting one- because I have not paid anything towards the new engine VX Luton maintain there is no warranty - but if I pay 10% then I get a warranty. After discussion dealer is going back to VX pointing out that VX and dealer have now agreed 50/50 split of costs and therefore dealer contribution is effectively my contribution.

I have pointed out also that I brought in a car which was working perfectly and had had no issues of any consequence for years - to go away with a new engine which might fail due to defects in materials and then have no come back leaves me in a worse position.

Also just what can go wrong in transfer of old parts to new engine?

I should get car back on Wed almost 3 weeks since the problem. Still have the V6 VX Agila (ok maybe it is not V6!) which is a fun car actually. Journey to Manchester and back not too bad at all as traffic was more or less at 70mph all the way on M6 and M40.

[Kevin Wood]

Sounds like a load of cobblers to me. It's not your fault that you needed a new engine in the first place, and given that your engine was fitted by the same people who fitted your previous cam belt kit. I don't think I'd be inclined to drive it out of the garage without a warranty of some kind.

Kevin

[jonathanh]

well, you should be paying for the new cambelt, less something for the inconvenience of the problem (perhaps less everything???)

All workmanship and materials should be covered by VX warranty, so as long as they invoice you for the work they have done it should be fine

YBH, it sounds like your dealer has been fair with you and the liklihood is that they will be fair if further trouble occurs.  Despite us knocking VX dealers it is good to hear good stories sometimes