Is this situation an unhappy coincidence or am I being scammed?

DEBBIE BENTEAU

MEMBER
2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
46,000 MILES

In Feb '09 at 40,000, dealer replaced timing belt, tensioner, water pump, etc. In Oct '11 at 46,000, timing belt and tensioner were replaced again. The 1 year warranty had run out. The car didn't make it off the lot. Apparently, the camshaft tensioner failed causing bent valves requiring even more repairs. Final tally for what was supposed to be an oil change and winterization.$4100! Could a faulty or improperly installed timing belt have led to the subsequent problems? I did read some of the other Q&As about timing belts and it sounds like I probably didn't even need one in '09 given the low mileage. I'm not convinced this was just a coincidence. What do you think?

2 Replies

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Yup! Sounds like you've been had-don't go there anymore

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Wednesday, November 16th, 2011 AT 9:05 PM

F4I_GUY

MECHANIC
3,302 POSTS

In almost 2 years you only put on 6000miles? That's probably why the belt snapped. When cars sit, they collect rust/corrosion. Whichever component failed, most likely had to do with the fact that the car sat so long.

However, I have seen improper installed tensioners failed 5-10,000 km after the timing belt was installed on VW. So it may of been improper installation. Either way. I think the shop should of covered it.