Botched repair work. Need advice

Hi everyone.

I urgently need your advice.

The day before yesterday, I replaced the timing belt, tensioner, and water pump with a friend who's knowledgeable about VW cars.
Initially, it was noted that a water pump from the accessories was used in the previous replacement, and it was secured with adhesive.
According to my friend, no work was done at a VW workshop.

Okay. Everything adjusted, belts installed - everything is fine until the tensioner is fixed in place.
When he tried to tighten the screw to approximately 30 Nm using a torque wrench, it wouldn't budge. Something felt strange, and he didn't like it.

He unscrewed the screw again to see what was wrong. And then, a silver wire came into view.
The workshop that previously performed the timing belt replacement likely damaged the threads.
She only drilled about 3-4 threads, inserted a Helicoil, and filed down the screw at the front.
The entire assembly is designed such that the tensioner roller is currently held in place by three threaded rings.
They made the same mistake with the motor mount. Also, the threads were also damaged there and repaired with a Helicoil.

The worst thing of all: Having the timing belt replaced at my usual dealership when my car had 120,000 km on it.
Due to a few issues, I ended up at a second car dealership. They told me that the previous mechanic hadn't installed the belt correctly, and that it would be best to replace it again. Apparently, it's one tooth over.

Unfortunately, I bought into that story and had it done again.

After I realized that everything was a lie, I didn't pay the bill, and I haven't received any more bills since then.

So, the next timing belt replacement was due, and that's when it became clear what the second workshop had been up to.
Isn't that gross negligence and shoddy workmanship? Let's put aside the fact that they were trying to deceive me.
The car was still under warranty, but it was poorly and amateurishly repaired.
What can I do about it?

Regards,

Serdar.

Regarding the legal aspects, it would be best to schedule an appointment with a lawyer and explain the situation. They can then advise you on what is possible and what is not, and most importantly, what the costs are and what circumstances and prospects are involved. Alternatively, you can go to www.frag-einen-anwalt.de, register there, and pay a small fee. You will then receive a legal consultation.

Regarding the car, you'll probably have to drill out the holes and repair the threads using sleeves or Helicoil inserts. You could also use longer tracks to add 30 Nm of torque. Alternatively, you can leave the car where it is until the lawyer has given his opinion.

Is that the BKD?

Great, thanks Steffen. I'll try.

Is that the BKD?

Greetings.
Serdar.

Hi everyone.

I urgently need your advice.

The day before yesterday, I replaced the timing belt, tensioner, and water pump with a friend who's knowledgeable about VW cars.
Initially, it was noted that a water pump from the accessories was used in the previous replacement, and it was secured with adhesive.
According to my friend, no work was done at a VW workshop.

Okay. Everything adjusted, belts installed - everything is fine until the tensioner is fixed in place.
When he tried to tighten the screw to approximately 30 Nm using a torque wrench, it wouldn't budge. Something felt strange, and he didn't like it.

He unscrewed the screw again to see what was wrong. And then, a silver wire came into view.
The workshop that previously performed the timing belt replacement likely damaged the threads.
She only drilled about 3-4 threads, inserted a Helicoil, and filed down the screw at the front.
The entire assembly is designed such that the tensioner roller is currently held in place by three threaded rings.
They made the same mistake with the motor mount. Also, the threads were also damaged there and repaired with a Helicoil.

The worst thing of all: Having the timing belt replaced at my usual dealership when my car had 120,000 km on it.
Due to a few issues, I ended up at a second car dealership. They told me that the previous mechanic hadn't installed the belt correctly, and that it would be best to replace it again. Apparently, it's one tooth over.

Unfortunately, I bought into that story and had it done again.

After I realized that everything was a lie, I didn't pay the bill, and I haven't received any more bills since then.

So, the next timing belt replacement was due, and that's when it became clear what the second workshop had been up to.
Isn't that gross negligence and shoddy workmanship? Let's put aside the fact that they were trying to deceive me.
The car was still under warranty, but it was poorly and amateurishly repaired.
What can I do about it?

Regards,

Serdar

Incredible...

'The stripped threads on the engine mount often happen, and I even had to defend the workshop because everything else would have been shoddy workmanship. It happened to me too. I then replaced all the M12x1.5 threads with Helicoil inserts, and it's rock solid now.'

As Steffen already mentioned, it's best to go to a lawyer right away.

The question is what the outcome will be and at what cost, so whether it's even worth it, or if it's better to just install proper Helicoils and forget about the trouble. But the lawyer knows that. I don't know if you have legal insurance. ADAC members, for example, receive a free initial consultation.

EMSimASZ wrote:

Incredible... "The stripped threads on the engine mount often happen, and I even had to defend the workshop because everything else would have been shoddy workmanship. It happened to me too. I then replaced all the M12x1.5 threads with Helicoil inserts, and it's rock solid now." As Steffen already mentioned, it's best to go to a lawyer right away

.

An honest repair shop should have shown the customer that.

I wouldn't involve lawyers if I can help myself.
It's off the table for now.
Make sure the thread is deep enough using a Helicoil or insert! Be careful, is it possible to go too deep? Water canal?

I also think it's best not to go to a lawyer in that situation.
First, you should go to a workshop or expert who can assess and estimate the damage or defect, even if the damage is significant.
Being right in court and winning in court are two different things!
In addition, an increasing number of judges are reaching settlements... Consequently, everyone is stuck with their court and legal fees...

In your case, the evidence will likely be lacking to prove that this specific workshop was responsible for the shoddy work.
Well, you would only have had a better chance if the engine had broken down immediately after the timing belt replacement.

Quote:

I wouldn't involve lawyers in that matter if I can help myself. It's off the table for the time being.

Me neither. As a customer, after such a long time, you're essentially in the position of having to prove your case. It starts with the fact that it's not really clear who was responsible for this mess.

Yes, you are right. Go to hell with them.
Let's add it to the list of life lessons

"Same here. Fix it properly, then you'll know what you have. It will only cost you a few hours and a little money." You would have saved a significant amount, a three- to four-digit sum, on legal fees and court costs, and even more importantly, you would have saved yourself a lot of stress and anxiety.

Best regards.
Christian

If you have access to a lathe, you can make your own repair sleeves to maximize the possible insertion depth.

From my own experience, I know that thread repair sleeves don't always work. For example, with the tensioner bolts on the 1.9 PD engines, they sometimes hold, but I've also had cases where the entire sleeve came out at 8 Nm (the recommended torque is 12 Nm + 270°).

Regarding the workshop: I believe that negative gossip and rumors circulating about them do more harm than if they were to lose the case. Or would you take your car to a workshop that's known for ripping people off?

Does anyone know how much meat there is around the screw hole? And if you drill too deep, will you hit the water channel?

What engine is it, exactly? I might have a spare AHU/AFN cylinder head lying around that I could drill.

If water gets into the channel, simply seal it with thread sealant or adhesive sealant.

It is a BKD.

'Of course, I get even more upset when it affects me personally, but I also have to shake my head when I hear that shoddy workmanship and the subsequent silence about it are commonplace.'

Same here. Fix it properly, then you'll know what you have. It will only cost you a few hours and a little money. You then saved a significant amount, a three- to four-digit sum, on legal fees and court costs, and even more importantly, you saved a lot of stress.
While I don't particularly enjoy doing everything myself on my car, unfortunately, it's just the way it is that you end up working on your own car, even if you're not entirely comfortable with it.

Good luck, P.