TIMING BELT FAILED

  • Thread starter Thread starter Sabrina
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Sabrina

I took my 2000 S80 Turbo Volvo in for a Timing Belt change yesterday.
It was supposed to be a one day repair but I got a call yesterday
saying they were waiting for a 'gasket' and that to call today. When
I called today I was informed that the Tensioner that they put on
failed damaging the pistons and gasket and they have to take it apart
to see the extent of the damage....

They said to keep my rental car 'that I am paying for' because my car
will not be ready until at least Tuesday

What does this mean to my engine? I know the sever damage that every
mechanic warned me about as a reason to change the belt has now
happened...Is my engine damaged. What should the mechanic do now?

Most importantly....

Who is liable for what?? They will take care of this right?

History on car:
-Purchased on February 3, 2007
-112673 miles on it
-Took it to a Volvo specialist to find out when I could expect to fix
what and was told the following:
Timing Belt - IMMEDIATELY
Rear Brakes - within 3,000 miles
Control Arm Bushings - As soon as I can
 
I would think that if it was YOUR tensioner that had failed, you would be
responsible... however, since they had apparently put in a NEW tensioner, I
think they should be held accountable for the failure and subsequent damage
to the engine...

of course, they will try to wiggle out of any financial responsibility...
document everything they say and do, in case it ends up in court down the
road!....
 
Sabrina said:
I took my 2000 S80 Turbo Volvo in for a Timing Belt change yesterday.
It was supposed to be a one day repair but I got a call yesterday
saying they were waiting for a 'gasket' and that to call today. When
I called today I was informed that the Tensioner that they put on
failed damaging the pistons and gasket and they have to take it apart
to see the extent of the damage....

They said to keep my rental car 'that I am paying for' because my car
will not be ready until at least Tuesday

What does this mean to my engine? I know the sever damage that every
mechanic warned me about as a reason to change the belt has now
happened...Is my engine damaged. What should the mechanic do now?

Most importantly....

Who is liable for what?? They will take care of this right?

History on car:
-Purchased on February 3, 2007
-112673 miles on it
-Took it to a Volvo specialist to find out when I could expect to fix
what and was told the following:
Timing Belt - IMMEDIATELY
Rear Brakes - within 3,000 miles
Control Arm Bushings - As soon as I can
Click to expand...


Depends on what the engine was doing when the tensioner failed. If it
was just idling they might get away with a few new valves, if it was
driving down the road it will probably require a fairly complete
rebuild. Usually it's cheaper to replace the engine when that happens.
 
Sabrina said:
I took my 2000 S80 Turbo Volvo in for a Timing Belt change yesterday.
It was supposed to be a one day repair but I got a call yesterday
saying they were waiting for a 'gasket' and that to call today. When
I called today I was informed that the Tensioner that they put on
failed damaging the pistons and gasket and they have to take it apart
to see the extent of the damage....

They said to keep my rental car 'that I am paying for' because my car
will not be ready until at least Tuesday

What does this mean to my engine? I know the sever damage that every
mechanic warned me about as a reason to change the belt has now
happened...Is my engine damaged. What should the mechanic do now?

Most importantly....

Who is liable for what?? They will take care of this right?

History on car:
-Purchased on February 3, 2007
-112673 miles on it
-Took it to a Volvo specialist to find out when I could expect to fix
what and was told the following:
Timing Belt - IMMEDIATELY
Rear Brakes - within 3,000 miles
Control Arm Bushings - As soon as I can
Click to expand...
Where is the repair being done ? Volvo Dealer or Volvo specialist ?
either way the repairing service shop is responsible for the repair &
all costs. From what you state it sounds like the valves in the cylinder
head are damaged requiring replacement of the cylinder head as there are
no replacement parts available mainly the valve guides which are not
sold from Volvo or on the outside. Post back & keep us apprised as to
the outcome of your problem
Glenn
Volvo Certified Technician
ASE Certified Technician


--
"*-344-*Never Forgotten"
Is for the New York City Firemen who lost their lives on September 11,2001.
The official count is 343, but there was also a volunteer who lost his life
aiding in the initial rescue efforts. And I will never forget them as
long as I live,
nor should any American.
 
Honey, you sent a note earlier about purposely failing the timing
belt. Not necessary now.

If you bought the car from an authorized dealer and had the service
done there, THEY should (perhaps reluctantly) accept responsibility.
Now, let's say you bought it from somebody else and took it to an
authorized dealer -- they should accept responsibility.

If you bought from somebody else and took it to that somebody else for
repair, you got a legal issue on your hands. Document what you were
told and get a good attorney.

Your engine is not in good shape. Crashes all over the place are
indicated. IF the mechanic will admit that *their* tensioner caused
the damage, you're covered. If they lie, you got a fight on your hands
with a "he said, she said" issue. Too big for small claims court.
Needs a lawyer.

Good luck.

Chuck Fiedler
Nothing but Volvo since 1974
 
Honey, you sent a note earlier about purposely failing the timing
belt. Not necessary now.

If you bought the car from an authorized dealer and had the service
done there, THEY should (perhaps reluctantly) accept responsibility.
Now, let's say you bought it from somebody else and took it to an
authorized dealer -- they should accept responsibility.

If you bought from somebody else and took it to that somebody else for
repair, you got a legal issue on your hands. Document what you were
told and get a good attorney.

Your engine is not in good shape. Crashes all over the place are
indicated. IF the mechanic will admit that *their* tensioner caused
the damage, you're covered. If they lie, you got a fight on your hands
with a "he said, she said" issue. Too big for small claims court.
Needs a lawyer.

Good luck.

Chuck Fiedler
Nothing but Volvo since 1974
Click to expand...

Hopefully, the crux of the debate will boil down to "it was okay when it
entered the shop for work, and that work led to the damage."

Mike
 
THEY ARE LIABLE GET LEGAL ADVICE FAST .Photos would be handy .
 
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