cambelt retentioning query.

i hade my cambelt done a few months back (ecotec 2.2)
had to call the RAC last night, strange noise.
he says it's loose rubbing on case & needs doing.
he also said charvills should have told me to take it back at a certain date
or they should have reminded me of thate soon after.

is this true, or is it the retentioner going down?
(apparently they were not replaced)

if just needs retentioning, will i have to pay?
or is it already paid for?

confused

mike

 

I have just replaced the water pump in my sons Nova and whilst there,
decided to replace the cam belt (timing belt) as well.

Setting the tensioner, involved locking it with a through bolt at its mid
position, rotating the water pump to take up the slack, remove the locking
bolt, check that the tensioner centre pointers still met and then running
the belt a few revs, by hand, took a few goes before I got the sequence
correct. Having to carry out this sequence while looking at it via a
dentists
mirror made the task even more awkward.

It made me think, do I have to strip all the cases off in a months time a
recheck it. Perhaps I should.

Must add, on removing the water pump. The Haynes manual said "remove 3
screws and drop pump out"............well I removed the 3 screws but there
was no drop out.........I ended up with a 5 foot machine movers crow bar and
about 50 lbs on the end before it released. I calculated 750 lbs to move it.

swash

 

I am not aware of having to return to adjust the tensioner.

I would discuss it with Charvills ASAP.

You do not have to replace the rollers and tensioner every time but it is
often necessary. If it has failed so soon it is likely that there would have
been evidence at the time or something is wrong. This could be a failed belt
(Vauxhall warranty) or poor workmanship (Charvill's expense).

If it appears the tensioner has failed I would argue that they should pay
the labour and all you pay for is the tensioner (and rollers).

--

Alan


New & used Vauxhall cars & vans, servicing, repairs & parts
www.steeles.co.uk

Vauxhall CD players & handbooks
http://www.stores.ebay.co.uk/vauxhallradiosales

 

alan, i thank you for your on-the-spot answer, very good as always.
that appears to be the route being taken.
the car is going in tomorrow to be 'examined'.

there is mutual agreement that the belt should not have failed 'as such' so
soon. (mar'03)

the issue i think may well centre on the water pump (the only other part on
the belt),
although there is not sign of failure (leak)
i am told that if the bearings go, it causes it to rotate unconcentric thus
create belt wobble.

ofcourse if the water pump 'has' died in under 2K miles since cambelt change
or if the belt was overtightened intially
making it go wrong, is yet to be resolved.

sadly this is my second 'run-in' with harlow charvill on the same matter.
when they fitted it they screwed the wipers & never did get 'em right &
fitted a utility belt without my authority.

anyway, the manageress is a very nice person, so let's see what developes

thanks again Alan

mike