Garage blew up my engine!

  1. L-plater Joined: Oct 2010 Kettering Posts: 82 Saxo vts
    #1
    I bought some newman cams and new cam followers for my vts and got a local garage to fit them on Monday. Then they ring my yesterday and say when they fitted them and started it the engine blew up and broke the inlet manifold aswell. And there trying to blame the parts I bought but I've checked and there the right parts. Does anybody know what they could of done for it to do that? So when I go down there I can say what they might have done wrong. Thanks.
  2. Frequent Poster Joined: Jul 2009 Hampshire Posts: 761 Astra VXR S2 indigo rallye
    #2
    My 2pence worth is the timing .
  3. Regular Poster Joined: Jun 2011 Wakefield Posts: 395 saxo vtr/vts 106 diesel
    #3
    My guess would be timing as well
  4. Infrequent Poster Joined: Jan 2012 Leicestershire Posts: 246 Saxo VTR 02 reg Mitsubishi Evo 8 VW Passat
    #4
    Legally though where does he stand?

    I mean I know from personal experience to trade they must have insurance.

    Is the garage to know or even check that the parts are correct before fitting? who is responsible?
  5. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Dec 2006 Maidstone Posts: 8210 Golf TDI
    #5
    Need more details on the term 'blown up'.....what are they saying is actually wrong with it?
  6. Regular Poster Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 330
    #6
    got to be cam belt out
  7. L-plater Joined: Oct 2010 Kettering Posts: 82 Saxo vts
    #7
    They said the valves and inlet manifold are broke. The cambelt and followers where the right parts I went and checked last night. And it was a Newman cam.
  8. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jan 2010 Stourbridge Posts: 7338 Nissan 200sx S14a
    #8
    Doesn't matter if the belt was the right part, sounds like they messed up the timing although I doubt this would "Blow up" the engine as such.
  9. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 9100 Amazon green VTR 16v, Inferno RS clio 182
    #9
    Also sounds like they didnt try to turn it over by hand first?!
  10. Saxperience Addict Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 11714 A6 Le Mans tuned/A3 TFSI tuned
    #10
    http://www.motorcodes.co.uk/
  11. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 31279 Citroen Saxo VTS, S60 D5
    #11
    Oh dear!

    Did you at least tell them they werent normal cams? (just to be safe)
  12. Established Member Joined: Dec 2011 Derby Posts: 1021 Posi saxo, flatty, Peugeot bipper, Vauxhall vectra
    #12
    So whos paying to get the engine fixd/replaced? :o
  13. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2009 Stoke-on-trent Posts: 2640 Mk5 Golf GTTDI Mk2 VTR Project
    #13
    Sorry but this did kinda make me lol! gotta be their fault though right?
  14. Regular Poster Joined: May 2011 Belfast Posts: 403 Saxo 1.1 Eastcoast
    #14
    sounds like timing was out

    IMO They are at fault for not double checking everything was ok
  15. Regular Poster Joined: Feb 2011 Ruthin North Wales Posts: 308 Saxo VTR, 205 CTI S16
    #15
    That is a nightmare mate, like said above they should have turned it over by hand first, timing probs out or timing belt could have skipped teeth from not being tensioned correctly?
  16. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Dec 2006 Maidstone Posts: 8210 Golf TDI
    #16
    If it's fubared the valves then the timing is probably out.

    Sounds like they ballsed it up and are trying to blame the parts you supplied.

    I would only get something like aftermarket cams fitted but someone I know who had done them before, i.e one of the affiliates on here.
  17. L-plater Joined: Oct 2010 Kettering Posts: 82 Saxo vts
    #17
    Yeah they knew they wasn't normal cams. I don't know who's paying yet I've got to go down tonight to see them. Thanks for the helpful comments, now i know more about it.
  18. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2010 Little Mill, South Wales Posts: 7547 Mondeo ST TDCI Saxo VTS
    #18
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Savage23 View Post
    Yeah they knew they wasn't normal cams. I don't know who's paying yet I've got to go down tonight to see them. Thanks for the helpful comments, now i know more about it.
    I wouldn't accept blame if I was you, if you bought the parts new and the parts are to blame then its the manufacturers fault, if the parts were fine then its the garages fault, you took it to them because you needed someone professional who "knows what they are doing" to do it.

    Fight it all the way mate
  19. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 31279 Citroen Saxo VTS, S60 D5
    #19
    Garage wont want to fit the bill of a engine and however much them cams are.

    Id press on till they do..
  20. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jul 2010 Morley, Leeds Posts: 8469 Civic ep3 type r powered by TDI NORTH
    #20
    Ring citizens advice tell them what happened and ask for a advice query number. If the garage continue to blame the parts. Say to them the parts were not a issue when you agreed to fit them for £----- amount.

    Then from there citizens advice will tell you the direction to claim from the garage's public liability if they have it. If not then you will have to try and go through there insurance (very complicated).

    A mechanic at my work fucked up a focus rs engine (about 6 months ago) when fitting a stainless manifold and cams from puma speed. He set the timing up wrong and started it up instead of rotating the crank by hand. Because he did this its his fault so we had to pay up for a new engine re- build.
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  21. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 9100 Amazon green VTR 16v, Inferno RS clio 182
    #21
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Bedford126 View Post
    Ring citizens advice tell them what happened and ask for a advice query number. If the garage continue to blame the parts. Say to them the parts were not a issue when you agreed to fit them for £----- amount.

    Then from there citizens advice will tell you the direction to claim from the garage's public liability if they have it. If not then you will have to try and go through there insurance (very complicated).

    A mechanic at my work fucked up a focus rs engine (about 6 months ago) when fitting a stainless manifold and cams from puma speed. He set the timing up wrong and started it up instead of rotating the crank by hand. Because he did this its his fault so we had to pay up for a new engine re- build.
    Was he sacked for that?
  22. Infrequent Poster Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 129
    #22
    That's a nasty fuckup! Suppose they will deny liability if they do Consumer Direct are pretty handy and you can file for court action online. That usually makes them shit and co-operate

    Good luck pal!
  23. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Nov 2010 Kent Posts: 8439 Gen 7 Celica 190.
    #23
    Oo paul these vts's are spose to be quick with cams want to take it for a drive to see what its like? Alright dave BARRRPP... Cambelt "I dont like being here" snap. I reakon its something like that.
    3 users thanked this post: , ,
  24. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Apr 2007 Bournemouth Posts: 15289 '04 VW Transporter.
    #24
    A lot of companys will try to pass the buck saying its not there fault as the parts supplied didnt come threw them.

    The guy who does my MOT's wont fit parts he dosent suply.
  25. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2011 plymouth Posts: 2921 mk2 VTS
    #25
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Cam View Post
    Oo paul these vts's are spose to be quick with cams want to take it for a drive to see what its like? Alright dave BARRRPP... Cambelt "I dont like being here" snap. I reakon its something like that.
    haha lol thats sigworthy
  26. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2010 Little Mill, South Wales Posts: 7547 Mondeo ST TDCI Saxo VTS
    #26
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by MiniGibbo View Post
    A lot of companys will try to pass the buck saying its not there fault as the parts supplied didnt come threw them.

    The guy who does my MOT's wont fit parts he dosent suply.
    Surely they can't get away with it seeing as they agreed to do the necessary work knowing this before starting it.
  27. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2007 127.0.0.1 Posts: 4826 oem+ sax
    #27
    Lolz of course there not going to blame themselves now are they.

    Timing was wrong and incorrectly set.

    Its their fault go down there and kick up a major fuss, tell them its their fault they got the timing wrong you want the engine rebuilt fully and supplied all by them. If not you will be contacting citizens advice bureau and your solicitor.

    I know i wouldn't be taking any excuses.

    Good luck!

    http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/...ndex_ewsni.htm
  28. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Apr 2007 Bournemouth Posts: 15289 '04 VW Transporter.
    #28
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Brettles1986 View Post
    Surely they can't get away with it seeing as they agreed to do the necessary work knowing this before starting it.
    They can play the card of "labour only" though.. i agree it sounds like there fault 100%. hopfully theyll take the blame but you never know.
  29. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Oct 2005 Aycliffe Posts: 32205 Saxo VTS
    #29
    I'd be returning the favour by blowing up the garage.

    Do not go back to them in a rage, be calm, be friendly, but be firm. They, not you, they made a mistake. Of course you need them to explain, what happened and then start probing why such an event happened. If you enquire properly and don't give up they'll probably start to blurt out about the timing when they realise they're not going to mug you off.

    Good luck.
  30. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Sep 2010 leeds Posts: 4389 MCS R53 S/C 16v furiooo
    #30
    i can't see how they could possibly deny it, i assume the car drove into their garage under its own power, thus proving it was fine before they begun messing around with it.

    sounds to me like they have forgotten to adjust the timing for the new cams, and i know f all about engines!
  31. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2009 ilkeston derbyshire Posts: 9823 C2 VTR stripped, 406hdi, clio 172
    #31
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by MiniGibbo View Post
    A lot of companys will try to pass the buck saying its not there fault as the parts supplied didnt come threw them.

    The guy who does my MOT's wont fit parts he dosent suply.
    same here, fitted a customers own clutch last year that lasted 100 miles (techniclutch lol) and he tried the pass the blame shit, also fitted gearbox supplied by a customer that was worse then the old one. Still sounds like the clowns who fitted the cams were taking on jobs beyond their capabilities!
  32. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jul 2011 Newcastle upon Tyne Posts: 7779 Phase 2 VTS , E61 M5
    #32
    My mate bought a bargain VTR a while back, had a few bits wrong with it, he was just going to MOT it and punt it on.

    The lads at the MOT place decided to take it for a run, but hadn't shut the bonnet properly..... you can see what happened there!
  33. Regular Poster Joined: Sep 2011 Patras Greece Posts: 352 Ford Focus 2.5 ST Citroen Saxo Vts 16v race car
    #33
    Judging by my experience ( tensioner snapped at around 2,500 - 3000 rpm only bent valves no piston damage )
    Timing an engine wrong and it "blowing up" causing all that damage means:
    1. Either somebody took it for a joy ride
    2. or when they started the engine they literally revved it to bits.

    Their fault in my opinion
    Good luck with this!!
  34. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Apr 2007 Bournemouth Posts: 15289 '04 VW Transporter.
    #34
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by mandyslover70 View Post
    same here, fitted a customers own clutch last year that lasted 100 miles (techniclutch lol) and he tried the pass the blame shit, also fitted gearbox supplied by a customer that was worse then the old one. Still sounds like the clowns who fitted the cams were taking on jobs beyond their capabilities!
    See, its example like this which is why they do it.

    OP is just very unlucky and i genuinely hope it gets sorted by those in fault.
  35. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Sep 2007 Someones Bumhole Posts: 5721 Mk2 16v Desire
    #35
    Bit awkward that, as said you need to know exactly whats wrong with it. Can't really do much wrong when fitting it asside from the timing. They defiantly change the followers?

    They will have insurance etc anyways it's there for a reason.
  36. L-plater Joined: Dec 2011 Nuneaton Posts: 35
    #36
    If your vavles are damaged then the dosy gits obviously didnt time the new cams up properly, in which case the expense is theirs
  37. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2007 127.0.0.1 Posts: 4826 oem+ sax
    #37
    Any updates on this?
  38. Saxperience Addict Joined: Oct 2008 Plymouth, Fiddling - under a two poster ramp Posts: 14064 Audi
    #38
    savage.

    i wont fit parts that i didnt supply, if a mate wants to supply their own parts then i tell them i dont give a guarantee or warrentee on anything and if i find anything stopping me doing it during the process, then ill stop and put it back as standard or charge them for anything i had to get as extra.