Ventoux Posted September 29, 2009 Share Posted September 29, 2009 I had a new one fitted at local garage in August. When I collected the Camper from the garage I thought the engine sounded loud. On it's first trip this weekend, it struggled on inclines, and I felt it was not right. After 180 miles it began to really chug and emit black smoke from exhaust. Next morning it didn't want to start. I called Breakdown cover and was escorted to a Fiat garage. Diagnosis was problem wiith new timing belt. £380 bill! Are timing belts supposed to be tweaked after running them in? Do I have a claim against first garage? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davenewellhome Posted September 29, 2009 Share Posted September 29, 2009 In order of the questions asked:No and yes. D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ventoux Posted September 29, 2009 Author Share Posted September 29, 2009 Thanks Dave. Just wanted to get my facts right before I go ballistic >:-( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest peter Posted September 29, 2009 Share Posted September 29, 2009 Sounds like the garage got the fuel pump or valve timing out. Or both. Get them to put it right at their expense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ventoux Posted September 30, 2009 Author Share Posted September 30, 2009 Peter, it has been put right at a cost of £380, my problem now is asking them to pay for this amount. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest peter Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 Trading Standards? Or the garages trade body, the smmtf I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davenewellhome Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 First port of call should surely to be to speak to the garage that did the belt in the first place and show them the bill from the Fiat garage and there diagnosis then politely ask for a refund of the Fiat costs. Save trading standards and SMMT contact for if and when you get no joy. I know if a customer of mine came back with a problem like this I'd want to sort it out amicably but if they turned up straight away with trading standards and started demanding this that and the other my attitude might not be so willing to help. First contact needs to be polite and friendly with a simple explanation of the facts showing the Fiat garages documentation and see what they say. D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest peter Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 Sorry Dave, I was assuming that this had already been done. Obviously you need to speak to the garage that did the work first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ventoux Posted September 30, 2009 Author Share Posted September 30, 2009 Em ... forgot to point out, I'm living in France at the mo', and original belt replacement done here at local garage. Then after the 180 miles - I was in Switzerland (Italian speaking part) where Fiat garage did the repair. It doesn't change anything you all say, just need to do it in different language :-S . I have a friend who will translate the Fiat bill into French, then I'll speak to local garage ... Thanks again for advice. I consider myself lucky it didn't happen on the Col de Mont Cenis :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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