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[CyNick]

[CyNick]

This follows on from


"Cambelt/tensioner failure after 600 miles?"


 - Sorry I couldn't get the picture links to load.. I'll try again later..

[CyNick]

I took a couple of pictures as I dismantled - the case was on perfectly and I took a photo after I undid the case bolts and eased the case open slightly.. I saw the broken tensioner immediately..

Looks as if the cams have stopped instantly, but the crank has possibly/probably continued to turn? Just a guess as the tensioner pulley has remained in place..


What are the thoughts?

[Welung666]

Looking at the last pic the passenger bank look to be together but the drivers bank are miles out compared and different from each other. Doesn't look promising really. Maybe find a pair of heads and change them.

[Welung666]

Actually Nick that tensioner looks new! When was it changed? And by whom? Not pointing any fingers you understand, just wondered if there was any re-course on the supplier It's only about half an hour from me if you want me to pop down and have a look?

[CyNick]

Actually Nick that tensioner looks new! When was it changed? And by whom? Not pointing any fingers you understand, just wondered if there was any re-course on the supplier It's only about half an hour from me if you want me to pop down and have a look?

Yes it is.. it was actually changed 2 years ago but the car has been sleeping lazily in a garage since then.. There is only 600 miles use - maybe a little more, but not much!

The main mileage was a very gentle run to Glasgow - 1/2 April 2010. It broke on the way back..

[CyNick]

Looking at the last pic the passenger bank look to be together but the drivers bank are miles out compared and different from each other. Doesn't look promising really. Maybe find a pair of heads and change them.

I'll try and take a couple more pics to compare..

[CyNick]

Looking at the last pic the passenger bank look to be together but the drivers bank are miles out compared and different from each other. Doesn't look promising really. Maybe find a pair of heads and change them.

I'll try and take a couple more pics to compare..

Sorry, not had a chance to do this..

What are the chances of claiming from the manufacturer? Any one know - or had exerience of this?

[JamesV6CDX]

Bloody hell Nick!

It might be worth checking with the garage who changed the crank seal, not to point fingers, but just to see if they re-fitted the belt using a locking set, and did the pulley up to 40nm.

As per the other thread, although it's been off at a garage since, to do the crank seal, Nick and I changed this kit a couple of years ago, so it's pretty new and low mileage.

Did you buy the bits Nick - I think so from memory?

If so, do you have the reciept?

In all honesty, I very very much doubt there is any recourse..

There will be valve damage, to at least one of the heads, most likely two 

[pscocoa]

I posted in the other thread - yes I did have tensioner bolt go - but it happened just minutes from leaving dealer after cam belt change. Dealer maintains it was defective bolt and VX Luton that it was over tightened.

Between them they replaced with a new engine.

Around the same time I had problems with a clutch cover on our Signum where the bolts just went missing.

VX gave us a hire car for 2 weeks because they had to get the bolts from Germany which I thought was strange for an engine as common as 1.9cdti which is in Vectras, Zafiras etc.

[pscocoa]

actually I think it was the driveshaft bearing cover bolts that were the problem on the Signum

[CyNick]

I posted in the other thread - yes I did have tensioner bolt go - but it happened just minutes from leaving dealer after cam belt change. Dealer maintains it was defective bolt and VX Luton that it was over tightened.

Between them they replaced with a new engine.

Thanks for the post pscocoa, I did see it in the other thread and was still hoping something like this hadn't happened.. 

I think my main problem is prooving the bolt was faulty - as above..

I have the receipt for the kit.. but I'm sure Vauxhall will point to how long ago it was bought  :-/

I'm sure the garage will try to deny even having a tea break while giving my engine the VIP treatment it deserved.. 

The only thing I'm 10000% sure of is that when the bonnet was closed after fitting the kit both James and I knew it had been fitted correctly, checked and checked again and all torques were correct!!

Could the manufacturer be held to blame? Is it even worth speaking to the garage? Would he have insurance against something like this?

What are my chances?? 

[Welung666]

Nick, when are going back to the car to take pics? I could meet you there if you want, see how far off it is for you, be able to decide then if it's one head or both

[JamesV6CDX]

The only thing I'm 10000% sure of is that when the bonnet was closed after fitting the kit both James and I knew it had been fitted correctly, checked and checked again and all torques were correct!!

Could the manufacturer be held to blame? Is it even worth speaking to the garage? Would he have insurance against something like this?

What are my chances?? 

Yep, I agree - I too remember everything being correct, and verified by us both

Unfortunately though - it would have all been taken off by the garage that did the work -

you really need to ascertain - even if only to get some closure - if the garage used the FULL locking/setting kit, and knew how to use it (the V6 on these is more involved than many other engines).

 

[Lazydocker]

Sadly I think the warranty is only 12 months

May be worth an attempt at a claim but I doubt you'll get anywhere