pubrunner
Legendary Member
A Cautionary Tale - for ALL owners of cars with cambelts
I have a 2004 VW Touran 1.9 Tdi.
About 6-7 thousand miles ago (5 months ago) , I had my cambelt changed at Inchcape of Oswestry.
I said "Shouldn't my waterpump be changed at the same time"
"No need" said the Inchcape Service Manager.
Very sadly, I didn't 'push' for the water pump to be changed.
The bill for a new cambelt/followers/tensioner was £350.
The Inchcape Service Manager told me that the waterpump looked like new and it would have been a 'waste of money to change it'.
Yesterday, my car brokedown just I was approaching Telford - it started overheating.
I duly called the AA at about 10.30am and a patrolman arrived by 11.10am - full marks for that.
I was advised that the water pump had failed and that I'd have to be either towed home or be taken on a flatbed lorry. Unfortunately, the patrolman was unable to do this, but he told me that I would have a 'guaranteed pickup' in an hour and a half. He then specifically stated that I'd have a 'guaranteed pickup' by 1.15pm at the very latest. I was a little disappointed that I'd have to wait so long, particularly as my four year old son was getting rather bored and upset; I'd tried to 'fob him off' by telling him that we were 'having an adventure' and that 'soon we'd be having a ride in a big wagon', but that didn't work for very long.
I was more disappointed when I was phoned by the AA at 1.10pm to be told that 'Someone will be with you by 2.30pm at the latest'. So much for a 'guaranteed pickup'.
Eventually, another patrolman arrived at 2.10pm.
Bear in mind that
a) I had initially broken down at 10.30am - We didn't set off home until 2.40pm - over 4 hours after the initial breakdown.
I had my four year old with me AND I'd been 'guaranteed' that I'd be picked up within an hour and a half by the first patrol man.
To be fair, I must state that both patrol men were friendly and did an excellent job. The second patrolman was especially good - he told my little boy that he could wait in the cab and keep warm whilst he secured my car - which was much appreciated. I attach no 'blame' to either of the AA men - it was just having to wait so long for the second one to arrive.
Frankly, I'd be very pleased to know just what is meant in AA terms as a 'guarantee'. Please, can anyone explain what this means ???
I feel that it is most unreasonable for the AA to make promises that it cannot keep and to keep a member and young child waiting for so long.
Regarding the water pump; interestingly, both the AA patrol men told me that this was 'quite a common fault' in VWs, Audis and Skodas that share the same engine.
"The plastic impeller breaks off the water pump" said the first AA man "It's a 'known' fault". - Not known, apparently, by Inchcapes of Oswestry.
I'm angry with Inchcape and I'm more angry with myself, 'cos I should have insisted that the waterpump was replaced.
So I can only highly recommend that if you replace your cambelt, get the waterpump also changed.
When I contact Inchcape tomorrow, I expect that they will tell me that despite having done only 7-8 thousand miles, they will recommend that as I'm changing water pump, I might as well change the cambelt. Of course, by not recommending the water pump be changed, Inchcape only stand to profit from poor mugs such as myself - that will be another £350 - £400 for them.
It is bread and water for me for a few weeks.
I have a 2004 VW Touran 1.9 Tdi.
About 6-7 thousand miles ago (5 months ago) , I had my cambelt changed at Inchcape of Oswestry.
I said "Shouldn't my waterpump be changed at the same time"
"No need" said the Inchcape Service Manager.
Very sadly, I didn't 'push' for the water pump to be changed.
The bill for a new cambelt/followers/tensioner was £350.
The Inchcape Service Manager told me that the waterpump looked like new and it would have been a 'waste of money to change it'.
Yesterday, my car brokedown just I was approaching Telford - it started overheating.
I duly called the AA at about 10.30am and a patrolman arrived by 11.10am - full marks for that.
I was advised that the water pump had failed and that I'd have to be either towed home or be taken on a flatbed lorry. Unfortunately, the patrolman was unable to do this, but he told me that I would have a 'guaranteed pickup' in an hour and a half. He then specifically stated that I'd have a 'guaranteed pickup' by 1.15pm at the very latest. I was a little disappointed that I'd have to wait so long, particularly as my four year old son was getting rather bored and upset; I'd tried to 'fob him off' by telling him that we were 'having an adventure' and that 'soon we'd be having a ride in a big wagon', but that didn't work for very long.
I was more disappointed when I was phoned by the AA at 1.10pm to be told that 'Someone will be with you by 2.30pm at the latest'. So much for a 'guaranteed pickup'.
Eventually, another patrolman arrived at 2.10pm.
Bear in mind that
a) I had initially broken down at 10.30am - We didn't set off home until 2.40pm - over 4 hours after the initial breakdown.
I had my four year old with me AND I'd been 'guaranteed' that I'd be picked up within an hour and a half by the first patrol man.To be fair, I must state that both patrol men were friendly and did an excellent job. The second patrolman was especially good - he told my little boy that he could wait in the cab and keep warm whilst he secured my car - which was much appreciated. I attach no 'blame' to either of the AA men - it was just having to wait so long for the second one to arrive.
Frankly, I'd be very pleased to know just what is meant in AA terms as a 'guarantee'. Please, can anyone explain what this means ???
I feel that it is most unreasonable for the AA to make promises that it cannot keep and to keep a member and young child waiting for so long.
Regarding the water pump; interestingly, both the AA patrol men told me that this was 'quite a common fault' in VWs, Audis and Skodas that share the same engine.
"The plastic impeller breaks off the water pump" said the first AA man "It's a 'known' fault". - Not known, apparently, by Inchcapes of Oswestry.
I'm angry with Inchcape and I'm more angry with myself, 'cos I should have insisted that the waterpump was replaced.
So I can only highly recommend that if you replace your cambelt, get the waterpump also changed.
When I contact Inchcape tomorrow, I expect that they will tell me that despite having done only 7-8 thousand miles, they will recommend that as I'm changing water pump, I might as well change the cambelt. Of course, by not recommending the water pump be changed, Inchcape only stand to profit from poor mugs such as myself - that will be another £350 - £400 for them.
It is bread and water for me for a few weeks.
