Timing belt roller issues

[LynG]

Hi guys/gals, please help ! My car has 58k miles on, it's a 2.0 tdi black edition and I love it.. last week in France it ground to a halt barely running. Back in Feb, the garage I bought it off changed a squeaky timing belt roller, putting the old belt back on. 

I have had a garage in France take the cover off and the belt..although still on, looks almost shredded through ! Did they over tension it ? Should they have replaced the entire kit, including a new belt ?please help.. I don't know where to turn.

[Stevey Y]

9 minutes ago, LynG said:

Hi guys/gals, please help ! My car has 58k miles on, it's a 2.0 tdi black edition and I love it.. last week in France it ground to a halt barely running. Back in Feb, the garage I bought it off changed a squeaky timing belt roller, putting the old belt back on. 

I have had a garage in France take the cover off and the belt..although still on, looks almost shredded through ! Did they over tension it ? Should they have replaced the entire kit, including a new belt ?please help.. I don't know where to turn.

Hi in all my years I have never known anyone to use the old belt again thats shocking, its an unwritten rule that if you change anything thats to do with the timing belt, water pump, idler pulleys etc you always put a new belt on REGARDLESS of what you view its condition to be, the belt should be changed along with everything else every 80,000mls or four years max, it has nothing to do with over tensioning those photos are a classic case of age deterioration which causes de lamination, example my old Mondeo taxi had developed a water leak from the water pump, the whole cam belt kit including pump had been changed 20,000 miles before, the pump was a warranty job but I specified a new belt at my own expense as that was not covered as it had not failed, for the sake of £24.00 for a new gates belt it was no major consideration, I covered 340,000 miles in that car and never had anymore problem with the belt.

The garage mechanic you bought the car from needs stringing up anyone with half a brain would have looked at that lot and advised changing the whole lot but lame brain decided just to change the idler, its cheaper than paying £200 for a whole new kit and the labour costs as well, please tell me it was not a dealership you bought it from.

Steve.

[LynG]

Hi Steve

Thanks for replying so promptly, since I wrote that, the garage I bought it from (Car Supermarket) say they changed the whole kit, belt, rollers, pulley etc but that was 4k miles ago... I just cannot see it, anyway, I have to get a report from the French garage, then translate it, then send it in, I have a written 2 yr warranty on the job, they say they will honour it as long as it wasn't something else that caused the failure.. they should honour it anyway in my opinion, the car only has 58k miles with full dealer history....👍

[LynG]

2 hours ago, Stevey Y said:

Hi in all my years I have never known anyone to use the old belt again thats shocking, its an unwritten rule that if you change anything thats to do with the timing belt, water pump, idler pulleys etc you always put a new belt on REGARDLESS of what you view its condition to be, the belt should be changed along with everything else every 80,000mls or four years max, it has nothing to do with over tensioning those photos are a classic case of age deterioration which causes de lamination, example my old Mondeo taxi had developed a water leak from the water pump, the whole cam belt kit including pump had been changed 20,000 miles before, the pump was a warranty job but I specified a new belt at my own expense as that was not covered as it had not failed, for the sake of £24.00 for a new gates belt it was no major consideration, I covered 340,000 miles in that car and never had anymore problem with the belt.

The garage mechanic you bought the car from needs stringing up anyone with half a brain would have looked at that lot and advised changing the whole lot but lame brain decided just to change the idler, its cheaper than paying £200 for a whole new kit and the labour costs as well, please tell me it was not a dealership you bought it from.

Steve.

 

[LynG]

Hi Steve

I replied but not sure If I correctly quoted you..

[Magnet]

Hello Lyndon,

Really sorry to hear of your plight so far away from the Homeland. I and everyone else will totally agree with Steve, but you now say that your seller claims to have correctly renewed the whole assembly (inc. water pump?), and not simply the now-shredded belt. So confusion here. If (in caps) that replacement was correctly carried out 4K miles ago then there is something seriously wrong - unless the belt turns out to be the original now 7 year old one - and thereby hangs the evidence, which will vital to your case. 
You have a written (in caps) 2 year warranty on this timing belt replacement? It would be interesting to see whether this warranty covers the cost of replacing the assembly, but not the consequence of its failure ( warranties can be very restrictive when it comes to paying out). 
If this were mine:- get the car transported back to Bridgend via your breakdown cover, and inform the seller in writing that you are going to get the car assessed at the main dealer - Bridgend Audi? Armed with their report, you can then move forward. 
This 2015, 58k car with supposed ‘full’ service history would have evidence of the timing belt assembly having been changed   In around 2020. Did you see/do you have documented evidence of this change to uphold the seller’s description of ‘full’ service history? 
Personally, I wouldn’t be attempting to sort this out on foreign soil. 
Perhaps you could let us know how you get on. 
Kind regards,

Garet
Perhaps you could 

[LynG]

41 minutes ago, Magnet said:

Hello Lyndon,

Really sorry to hear of your plight so far away from the Homeland. I and everyone else will totally agree with Steve, but you now say that your seller claims to have correctly renewed the whole assembly (inc. water pump?), and not simply the now-shredded belt. So confusion here. If (in caps) that replacement was correctly carried out 4K miles ago then there is something seriously wrong - unless the belt turns out to be the original now 7 year old one - and thereby hangs the evidence, which will vital to your case. 
You have a written (in caps) 2 year warranty on this timing belt replacement? It would be interesting to see whether this warranty covers the cost of replacing the assembly, but not the consequence of its failure ( warranties can be very restrictive when it comes to paying out). 
If this were mine:- get the car transported back to Bridgend via your breakdown cover, and inform the seller in writing that you are going to get the car assessed at the main dealer - Bridgend Audi? Armed with their report, you can then move forward. 
This 2015, 58k car with supposed ‘full’ service history would have evidence of the timing belt assembly having been changed   In around 2020. Did you see/do you have documented evidence of this change to uphold the seller’s description of ‘full’ service history? 
Personally, I wouldn’t be attempting to sort this out on foreign soil. 
Perhaps you could let us know how you get on. 
Kind regards,

Garet
Perhaps you could 

 

[LynG]

Hi Garet (Gareth ??)

Thanks for your reply, I will now be looking first of all into the digital history to see if the belt was changed at 5 yrs, I'm not the most diligent, my understanding on buying the car was that it was due at 75k. Bridgend Audi have confirmed the digital history and given me a printout (yesterday) The car went back to car supermarket in Feb with a squeaky roller (as mentioned earlier) I assumed it was an auxiliary belt.. they themselves said it was a roller and they eoild change the timing belt and kit. It took them 5 weeks, I had various emails saying parts were hard to source/ wrong kit turned up blah blah blah.. I work away a lot and was just glad to get it back. As an addition to this, I put the car in to Bridgend Audi in May for a small phone charger socket repair, I asked them yo check if the belt was correctly done. They said they gave the car a "'health check " but refused to confirm the condition of the timing belt in case they incriminate themselves... anyway, the car was running perfectly to I assumed it was ok... big mistake. The original seller has emailed saying they will repair the car if I can prove beyond doubt that it wasn't something else which caused the failure.. I will keep this thread updated in weeks to come for anyone interested in following. Thanks all. Lyndon 

[Magnet]

Many thanks Lyndon,

I guess you now have the service print out, so it will state on there whether the belt was changed by Audi before you bought it - or not. 
The term ‘full service history’ is a much misused term, and often just means that the vehicle has been serviced on occasions - the degree (in caps) of servicing always needs to be questioned. Yes, Audi may tell you that the belt needs changing at 75K miles, but the all important caveat is ‘or X years whichever comes first’ - and X is usually 5 years. 
I stand by my original advice of getting the car back to an Audi dealer, and obtaining a report to pass to your seller, and inform the seller that that is what you are going to do.  To let the car go straight back the seller, runs the risk that they have the all the evidence, and can interpret it as they will!  A specialist’s evidence is a must. 
I really wish you well with this, and yes, please keep us updated. 
Advice on here is free, and hopefully some of it is meaningful and helpful. 
Good luck and kind regards,

Gareth. 
p.s. Since ‘full service history” is often recommended on here as a ‘must-have’, then to me, evidence ( in terms of a print out) is of vital importance before entering into any purchase agreement. As always, pre- purchase homework is king. Simply falling in love with it can be dangerous and costly. 

[Stevey Y]

9 hours ago, LynG said:

Hi Garet (Gareth ??)

Thanks for your reply, I will now be looking first of all into the digital history to see if the belt was changed at 5 yrs, I'm not the most diligent, my understanding on buying the car was that it was due at 75k. Bridgend Audi have confirmed the digital history and given me a printout (yesterday) The car went back to car supermarket in Feb with a squeaky roller (as mentioned earlier) I assumed it was an auxiliary belt.. they themselves said it was a roller and they eoild change the timing belt and kit. It took them 5 weeks, I had various emails saying parts were hard to source/ wrong kit turned up blah blah blah.. I work away a lot and was just glad to get it back. As an addition to this, I put the car in to Bridgend Audi in May for a small phone charger socket repair, I asked them yo check if the belt was correctly done. They said they gave the car a "'health check " but refused to confirm the condition of the timing belt in case they incriminate themselves... anyway, the car was running perfectly to I assumed it was ok... big mistake. The original seller has emailed saying they will repair the car if I can prove beyond doubt that it wasn't something else which caused the failure.. I will keep this thread updated in weeks to come for anyone interested in following. Thanks all. Lyndon 

Hi Car Supermarket, was it the Aldi version I would swear on a stack of bibles that is the old belt I have Never seen a belt  in that condition after that milage, I agree with Gareth get the car recovered to Audi for a proper engineers report, it definitely won't go the garages way, then take them to the cleaners via trading standards, you will have them by the short and curlys, I would also recommend if the garage offers a repair that you DEMAND that they pay Audi to replace the belt as quite rightly you have lost all trust especially after they quoted the old cookie of 75k, they must have forgotten about four years? as for the parts being hard to source thats Scallops, if they had bothered to ring the local TPS they would have delivered O.E. parts the next morning, but its cheaper not to do the right thing and just hope if they lie enough you will go away, UTTER SCUM.

Steve.

[LynG]

19 minutes ago, Stevey Y said:

Hi Car Supermarket, was it the Aldi version I would swear on a stack of bibles that is the old belt I have Never seen a belt  in that condition after that milage, I agree with Gareth get the car recovered to Audi for a proper engineers report, it definitely won't go the garages way, then take them to the cleaners via trading standards, you will have them by the short and curlys, I would also recommend if the garage offers a repair that you DEMAND that they pay Audi to replace the belt as quite rightly you have lost all trust especially after they quoted the old cookie of 75k, they must have forgotten about four years? as for the parts being hard to source thats Scallops, if they had bothered to ring the local TPS they would have delivered O.E. parts the next morning, but its cheaper not to do the right thing and just hope if they lie enough you will go away, UTTER SCUM.

Steve.

Hi Steve

Thanks for replying, more updates from earlier.. I bought the car last year with 49.5k miles and a full dealer history... however, the dealers doing the servicing didn't replace the timing belt when the car reached 5 yrs, maybe they offered it and the then owner refused, no idea.. so yrs, the belt is more than likely original. I've found out today that my car insurance has legal cover against negligent garage repairs, so between the incriminating emails, photos, report off the garage holding the car and legal cover, I'm fairly confident of getting Car Supermarket to eventually cover all costs.

[Stevey Y]

6 minutes ago, LynG said:

Hi Steve

Thanks for replying, more updates from earlier.. I bought the car last year with 49.5k miles and a full dealer history... however, the dealers doing the servicing didn't replace the timing belt when the car reached 5 yrs, maybe they offered it and the then owner refused, no idea.. so yrs, the belt is more than likely original. I've found out today that my car insurance has legal cover against negligent garage repairs, so between the incriminating emails, photos, report off the garage holding the car and legal cover, I'm fairly confident of getting Car Supermarket to eventually cover all costs.

Hi your right they will, there is no way that belt has been changed, the previous owner probably had to have resuscitation when Audi quoted the belt change fees, so he sold the car, I have never understood this frame of mind when you can go find an independent garage that will do the job for less than half price, unfortunately I have seen this a lot in my lifetime so there are very few of these car supermarkets I trust especially when the salesman refuses to let you have a diagnostic check, I went to look at a Focus for my neighbour at various garages in my area we walked away from the diagnostic refusals the third one said sure plug in, I am having a cup of tea, do you want one, when he came back I had only found a couple of old faults and she bought the car for full asking price, I hope you clean these thieves I doubt it will cure them of it but just for once it will be nice to see Joe average get his own back and then some, I really wish you the best.

Steve

[LynG]

28 minutes ago, Stevey Y said:

Hi your right they will, there is no way that belt has been changed, the previous owner probably had to have resuscitation when Audi quoted the belt change fees, so he sold the car, I have never understood this frame of mind when you can go find an independent garage that will do the job for less than half price, unfortunately I have seen this a lot in my lifetime so there are very few of these car supermarkets I trust especially when the salesman refuses to let you have a diagnostic check, I went to look at a Focus for my neighbour at various garages in my area we walked away from the diagnostic refusals the third one said sure plug in, I am having a cup of tea, do you want one, when he came back I had only found a couple of old faults and she bought the car for full asking price, I hope you clean these thieves I doubt it will cure them of it but just for once it will be nice to see Joe average get his own back and then some, I really wish you the best.

Steve

Thanks Steve, I hear you regarding main dealer fees.. my local one wanted £320 to change a set of rear pads ! 

[Stevey Y]

5 minutes ago, LynG said:

Thanks Steve, I hear you regarding main dealer fees.. my local one wanted £320 to change a set of rear pads ! 

Hi yes the pads to them are about £30 and the rest is just imagination.

Steve.

[Magnet]

Hello Lyndon,

Just one point:- I think if you follow advice regarding ‘getting it back to your nearest Audi dealer’ - (but you haven’t said you are going to) then you really need to foster good relationships with them, since you will certainly need them on your side with this investigation. 
Yes, main dealers, are main dealers, are expensive, but in this case you must engage with them as if they are your best friend - that ‘friendship’ will be essential to you. 
We are talking Bridgend Audi here - aren’t we? 
Any chance you can tell us exactly what you are now going to do - going forward - Lyndon? 
Good luck and kind regards,

Gareth. 

[LynG]

33 minutes ago, Magnet said:

Hello Lyndon,

Just one point:- I think if you follow advice regarding ‘getting it back to your nearest Audi dealer’ - (but you haven’t said you are going to) then you really need to foster good relationships with them, since you will certainly need them on your side with this investigation. 
Yes, main dealers, are main dealers, are expensive, but in this case you must engage with them as if they are your best friend - that ‘friendship’ will be essential to you. 
We are talking Bridgend Audi here - aren’t we? 
Any chance you can tell us exactly what you are now going to do - going forward - Lyndon? 
Good luck and kind regards,

Gareth. 

Hi Gareth 

Bridgend Audi have been helpful so far, I'm not ruling the main dealers out, my next step is to submit a report from the French garage of the condition of the engine and probably cause. I then have to wait for Car Supermarket's response.. in an ideal world, I'd like them to repatriate the car and get it repaired by Audi.. I'm not sure I'll get that but if they admit that their mechanic didn't change the belt and kit,  then I have legal cover with my car insurance and after outlining my problem with them yesterday they asked me to cc them in all communication as it's a case they'll take on.

[LynG]

Just now, LynG said:

Hi Gareth 

Bridgend Audi have been helpful so far, I'm not ruling the main dealers out, my next step is to submit a report from the French garage of the condition of the engine and probably cause. I then have to wait for Car Supermarket's response.. in an ideal world, I'd like them to repatriate the car and get it repaired by Audi.. I'm not sure I'll get that but if they admit that their mechanic didn't change the belt and kit,  then I have legal cover with my car insurance and after outlining my problem with them yesterday they asked me to cc them in all communication as it's a case they'll take on.

P.s, thanks for replying, I'm really great full to everyone on here so far. 

[LynG]

Just now, LynG said:

P.s, thanks for replying, I'm really great full to everyone on here so far. 

.. grateful  !! Damn predictive text!

[LynG]

On 7/20/2022 at 6:28 AM, Magnet said:

Hello Lyndon,

Just one point:- I think if you follow advice regarding ‘getting it back to your nearest Audi dealer’ - (but you haven’t said you are going to) then you really need to foster good relationships with them, since you will certainly need them on your side with this investigation. 
Yes, main dealers, are main dealers, are expensive, but in this case you must engage with them as if they are your best friend - that ‘friendship’ will be essential to you. 
We are talking Bridgend Audi here - aren’t we? 
Any chance you can tell us exactly what you are now going to do - going forward - Lyndon? 
Good luck and kind regards,

Gareth. 

Hi guys

Just an update

Since I got back to the UK, the French garage has lost all interest in communicating with me despite me getting emails translated do I'm giving up on them. 

I've hired a Ranger and a trailer and I'm off to pick the car up tonight.

I'll fight my case with the car on my doorstep, at least I can see it. 

I'll be in touch.

Lyndon.

[Stevey Y]

15 minutes ago, LynG said:

Hi guys

Just an update

Since I got back to the UK, the French garage has lost all interest in communicating with me despite me getting emails translated do I'm giving up on them. 

I've hired a Ranger and a trailer and I'm off to pick the car up tonight.

I'll fight my case with the car on my doorstep, at least I can see it. 

I'll be in touch.

Lyndon.

Hi well done there is nothing like fighting a battle on the field of your choosing.

Steve.