Lightening strikes twice! Cambelt issue buying another van

[Lbj]

On Friday I was driving to collect my new second hand van from the dealer (VW T5 2015 113bhp 54,500 miles) when they phoned to cancel the appointment as they had just found that the pulley between the cambelt and water pump was faulty. They had changed these on Monday as part of the sale.

I had already had a bit of an issue with the garage as after agreeing to do this, they then refused saying according to VW it wasn’t necessary as it had done 35k since the last change 4 years ago, (VW now say no time limit and after 140,000) but I insisted as this was the agreement and also for my peace of mind and they agreed to go ahead.

I’ve been doing some research and see that a cambelt kit usually comes with a pulley and tensioner and I have to assume the tensioner wasn’t replaced either.

But the same thing happened to me in November 2022 - I was on my way to collect a van when the dealer phoned - this time ice had formed in the cambelt after they washed it and caused it to slip.

I posted a question here and got terrific advice which led me to cancel the sale. The dealer, Highbridge in Devon and in particular Jodie were absolutely brilliant and I had no problems at all in getting a refund for the deposit and they also paid my mileage. Unfortunately I’m not dealing with Highbridge this time.

My questions are:
Would there be a likelihood of damage to any other parts with this pulley failing? The cambelt was replaced on Monday, the fault found on Friday.

Should I make sure the tensioner is also replaced? (I assume yes)

Should I be considering cancelling the sale? It is making me concerned about the level of competence of the garage, but maybe the dealer told them them to do the minimum, I don’t know, just guessing - but I am extremely thankful this came to light before I bought the van

Any thoughts and or advice appreciated!!

 

[Lbj]

I should say it’s a Leisuredrive Vivante Campervan, not just a “van”

 

[Figaro]

I don't know the answer to your question, I'm just shocked at your bad luck with cambelts.
I remember your previous post and thought that was bad luck, but this one must be very off-putting for you.
Hopefully someone with technical knowledge will be able to advise.
Good luck

 

[gus-lopez]

I would want to actually see that everything had been changed. Belt idlers, tensioner +any other belt that had to be removed to get at the cam belt also.

 

[Lbj]

I don't know the answer to your question, I'm just shocked at your bad luck with cambelts.
I remember your previous post and thought that was bad luck, but this one must be very off-putting for you.
Hopefully someone with technical knowledge will be able to advise.
Good luck

Thanks Figaro! I just couldn’t believe it was happening again

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[Lbj]

I would want to actually see that everything had been changed. Belt idlers, tensioner +any other belt that had to be removed to get at the cam belt also.

Thanks, I was wondering whether it would be worth finding someone independent to check the work as I wouldn’t have a clue what I was looking at!!

 

[pappajohn]

Would there be a likelihood of damage to any other parts with this pulley failing?

100% if it's the tensioner pulley.
No different to the cambelt snapping.
As a very minimum some of the valves will bend.
Valves could snap and damage pistons, bores and cylinder head.

 

[Lbj]

100% if it's the tensioner pulley.
No different to the cambelt snapping.
As a very minimum some of the valves will bend.
Valves could snap and damage pistons, bores and cylinder head.

Crikey, ok, thanks, really appreciate this.

 

[chesterfield hooligan]

When we worked in the workshop there was always a box of bit's that had been replaced for the customer to check who could keep or throw into the bin normally in the box the part's were supplied in.

 

[scotzsue]

Bought a car where the cam belt had been changed but not the tensioners, cost me a new top end for the engine. No come back as I had 'asked for the cambelt to be changed prior to purchase, not for a cambelt and kit'
Hag bought it in hull, took it to my trusted garage in chorley, was still living and working in the area, he confirmed it was a new belt and old tensioners.

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[gus-lopez]

When we worked in the workshop there was always a box of bit's that had been replaced for the customer to check who could keep or throw into the bin normally in the box the part's were supplied in.

I have in the past,& before accepting the vehicle back, removed all the covers to check the work & fittings.I'd never accept a load of old tat thrown in the boot .I physically want to see what has been changed.

 

[DP+JAY]

Might also be worth another post to ask if anyone has any experience of that particular dealer.
DP

 

[chesterfield hooligan]

We always welcomed customers into the workshop to view work in progress but any disparaging remarks made the job take twice as long.

 

[Lbj]

Thanks for the replies. It sounds like there is a real potential for damage to have been incurred which does make me inclined to think about cancelling and perhaps losing the deposit

Or does anyone have advice as to how I could find a trustworthy third party to look at the van and verify the work carried out and condition of the cambelt etc?

I really appreciate people’s help with this. It’s a bit of a minefield for me and causing some sleepless nights!

 

[chesterfield hooligan]

Check with the AA or RAC one will do a full inspection and give you a written report. Although they cost they are very detailed.

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[denisejoe]

I’ve had the tensioner bolts snap less than 6months after a cambelt change and was luckily the garage took responsibility and did a complete repair.

 

[PP Bear]

On Friday I was driving to collect my new second hand van from the dealer (VW T5 2015 113bhp 54,500 miles) when they phoned to cancel the appointment as they had just found that the pulley between the cambelt and water pump was faulty. They had changed these on Monday as part of the sale.

I had already had a bit of an issue with the garage as after agreeing to do this, they then refused saying according to VW it wasn’t necessary as it had done 35k since the last change 4 years ago, (VW now say no time limit and after 140,000) but I insisted as this was the agreement and also for my peace of mind and they agreed to go ahead.

I’ve been doing some research and see that a cambelt kit usually comes with a pulley and tensioner and I have to assume the tensioner wasn’t replaced either.

But the same thing happened to me in November 2022 - I was on my way to collect a van when the dealer phoned - this time ice had formed in the cambelt after they washed it and caused it to slip.

I posted a question here and got terrific advice which led me to cancel the sale. The dealer, Highbridge in Devon and in particular Jodie were absolutely brilliant and I had no problems at all in getting a refund for the deposit and they also paid my mileage. Unfortunately I’m not dealing with Highbridge this time.

My questions are:
Would there be a likelihood of damage to any other parts with this pulley failing? The cambelt was replaced on Monday, the fault found on Friday.

Should I make sure the tensioner is also replaced? (I assume yes)

Should I be considering cancelling the sale? It is making me concerned about the level of competence of the garage, but maybe the dealer told them them to do the minimum, I don’t know, just guessing - but I am extremely thankful this came to light before I bought the van

Any thoughts and or advice appreciated!!

Personally I don’t trust any dealers and would walk away now you know there’s an issue.

The one and only time I let a dealer change a cam belt for me they ended up stripping the threads in the top engine mount, drilled it out and fitted a helicoil insert, only they used the wrong size insert and then a mild steel bolt.

Fast forward a few weeks and the bolt sheered, dropping the engine onto the drivers side drive shaft, tearing the rubber boot and seriously effecting the steering, resulting in a full recovery, 5 hours wasted and the resulting traffic issues on the A27. They denied it all.

I’ve had done it myself only I was heading overseas for a while and thought I’d give it a go and trust them. Now I just do them myself and ignore anything and everything a dealer tells me.

Just my opinion, but certainly wish you well with the new van

 

[steve69]

There are plenty of vans out there with cam chains - which almost never fail.
I made a point of ensuring my van choice had one of these.

 

[SpeedyDux]

I posted a review of Highbridge, where I bought my Rapido Van from new. Unimpressed by the service I got.

 

[3crispies]

All our T5,T6s have had whole kit and water pumps done together not worth the risk. Ask for it in writing what they have done and take someone you trust. Personally I'd threaten to walk what you got to lose.
Yes Vw now says 140km as that's what its always been in Europe, just UK say 4 years or 70k.

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[Lbj]

Thank you again! It is so helpful to get the varied responses and in particular reading PP Bear’s appalling experience.

I hope I wasn’t rude to not reply yesterday but needed a day away and had family visiting so busy and it took my mind off it as well!

I will contact the AA and RAC to see if they will do a report on this specific issue but I contacted Clickmechanic as I came across them in searches and asked if this was something they could do but was advised to contact a local reputable garage instead to do an engine inspection and detailed report. I did get a very quick response from them this morning.

Or walk away and lose the £2,000 deposit The dealer didn’t phone me yesterday as they promised to do on Friday for an update on exactly what happened and what has been done.

 

[CAB96]

Thank you again! It is so helpful to get the varied responses and in particular reading PP Bear’s appalling experience.

I hope I wasn’t rude to not reply yesterday but needed a day away and had family visiting so busy and it took my mind off it as well!

I will contact the AA and RAC to see if they will do a report on this specific issue but I contacted Clickmechanic as I came across them in searches and asked if this was something they could do but was advised to contact a local reputable garage instead to do an engine inspection and detailed report. I did get a very quick response from them this morning.

Or walk away and lose the £2,000 deposit The dealer didn’t phone me yesterday as they promised to do on Friday for an update on exactly what happened and what has been done.

That's a big deposit.

Are you sure you can't cancel?

Do you have any access to free legal advice, e.g. through home insurance?