Jumping cambelt?

[familyman]

Took V7 sti into mechanics today as was running on three cylinders. After checking plugs, coils etc he had a brainwave.

Turns out that the cambelt (which said mechanic replaced 5 mnths ago) had jumped two teeth on drivers side camshaft gears causing no compression at all.

How the bloody hell does a cambelt do this? Would like a straight answer if anyone knows that isn't clouded by possible liabilty issues.

[Guest]

it could be the tensioner, was it reused?

-smurff

[familyman]

 smurff said:

it could be the tensioner, was it reused?

-smurff

Definitely maybe. Had same thoughts myself. He claims it probably couldn't handle the boost spike to 28psi that happened just before it.

[driftrex]

i would say definately tensioner. high boost levels will not make that happen.

[Guest]

 driftrex said:

i would say definately tensioner. high boost levels will not make that happen.

agreed

-smurff

[familyman]

Sweet. Thanks guys. That's one bill I won't be paying.

[Guest boostcut]

 familyman said:

Sweet. Thanks guys. That's one bill I won't be paying.

i wouldnt be cocky like that too soon. do you live to a budget? if so did you want to spent $140 on a tensioner that could be re used? im not saying its your fault, but did you pay for a new tensioner? or specifically ask for everything to be done?

[familyman]

This is same mechanic we have used for 5 years. Used to be best customer of the missus when she worked at repco. Has always been exceptional service and great work from him up till this incident.

And afaik he was gonna be replacing it all. I know water pump was. Have old one sitting in garage still.

And I don't see why I should be paying $200 for him to fix his error.

[wrx_lou]

So why jump the gun and ruin that? why dont you ask him if he replaced it and if now why he didnt.

[Guest boostin]

New tensioners are known to fail too, so it may not be his fault. Still shouldn't be at your cost though if it was replaced.

[familyman]

Too true. And I guess $200 for 6 hours work, new plugs and new tensioner isn't really that bad is it?

[Guest boostin]

That sounds like $200 for parts and free labour to me. Pretty good deal.

[familyman]

That's why we keep going go.

he knows his subbies too.

[scooby-wrx]

I had the same problem a couple of months after I bought my car. Luckily there was no interference...!

Mine did it because the belt had been replaced, but not the tensioner or the water pump! Water pump had been leaking for quite a while and was rather corroded!

So a big thanks to the previous owner.... :