Defective timing belt blew my engine -wtd

[SSSVX]

Anyone thinks if there's a way to make the vendor/seller pay for my engine repair or just my bad luck own loss?

This is for my daily drive 4 cylinders interference engine. I bought the timing belt component set online, non OEM but it should meet OEM standard or exceed. The belt should last for 60K and that's what the factory recommends you to change.

I bought my t-belt May 2010 and had my friend, a 19yrs ASE certified mechanic to install for me. Last two week Saturday, January 2011, the timing belt went out (broken) on me. Second gear, uphill, 25mph, the belt broke and the car stopped won't be able to start again. Had it towed to the shop.

The timing belt looks brittle and the steel cable inside breaks. It blows my motor. Put a new belt in from advanced auto's. The car starts but it runs like a **** and has no compressions. It either needs a rebuilt or a new motor swap.

This is crazy. The timing belt is one year 5 months old and has less than 20K. Car is 2006 and with 76K on the clock. Now the engine is screwed up by the defective timing belt. It's like a $1500 dollars damage.

What's the best I can do for my loss? I called the vendor. They felt sorry. They said they wanted me to ship back the broken belt to examine. They could credit me back for what I paid them or send me another new timing belt, haha.

Any opinions? It just sucks. Thanks!

[North Ursalia]

Sucks, but the vendor didn't manufacture the belt, did they? They are just selling the parts. Most liability is limited to the cost of the part and sometimes installation, but laws vary from place to place, so you might get lucky.

[92 SVX]

Sounds like bent valves, cheaper then an engine rebuild or replace but still spendy as you have to pull the head and probably have a machine shop change out the valves.

[dcarrb]

You'd have a tough time proving the belt was defective. The seller would counter-claim that the belt was handled or stored improperly, or damaged during installation, or that you must have a dragging tensioner pulley, and so on. Best possible outcome would be to get some consideration on the cost of the install, but even that is a stretch.

Good luck.

dcb

[bheinen74]

what vendor is it?

[Green1995SVX]

What brand of belt was it?

[ensteele]

Yes, we would like more information.

[SSSVX]

Originally Posted by bheinen74

what vendor is it?

The vendor is CNS autoparts in California.
They sell lot of internal engine parts.

Just find out from the web site they're
related to the CNS motors in California which
deals with many used engines and transmissions.

[SSSVX]

Originally Posted by Green1995SVX

What brand of belt was it?

Mike, it's PCI belt. I purchased the timing belt component set as well.

[SSSVX]

Originally Posted by ensteele

Yes, we would like more information.

What else more information do you need earl?

[SSSVX]

It just sucks. A t-belt screws up my engine and causes a potential of $1500 dollars damage. Is it my fault? I don't think so. I kept up with my maintenance and it went out on me in 20K. There's no signs such as check engine light or overheating.

I called the vendor. They made me to call the manufacturer. The guy said the belt is 1yr/12K warranty same as OEM. It's no longer under warranty. The vendor sold me the items and it's their responsibility.

But it's supposed to last for at least 60k. How am I going to expect it breaks so fast?

Where should I go complain about their product quality? The vendor said he could give me the credit back for what I paid for but it's not going to help fix up my engine. How could I try to make them pay for my engine damage? It's not cheap to fix but for the cost of the damage....is it worth it to hire a lawyer? haha it might cost you more money to fix the car.

Like I said, my friend is a 19yrs ASE certified mechanic, he is good. There's no installation issue and I have no issue with the pulley or tensioner. I bought the timing component kit! I have shown the broken belt to two other friends(they know car stuff) and they think it's a defective belt.

So What can I do? I like to make them give me some credits to help up with the repairs. How would they agree? It's not worth hiring a lawyer hahaha and it will take months to months. Plus, they will argue it's over 1yr/12K and not under warranty but the belt is designed to last at least 60k though!!!

Any good suggestions guys?

Right now I'm looking into fixing up my car. I am looking for a low miles used engine or have my friend do the head job. Just have to see which way is cheaper or a better way to go.

Later on, I will send back the broken belt to the vendor. If they give me what I paid them, I will take it. It's better than nothing. I like to make them responsible for my partial repair fees, if they will help me up with half of cost or one-third of the cost, I may be content. Or I will just make some calls(such as BBB?) to complain for their product quality. Try to give them some hard times and make sure they don't sell low quality parts to kill people's engines again.

Guess that's what I am probably going to do. It just sucks. Tough luck.

[SSSVX]

quick questions:

is there any shelf life or expired date for the timing belt?
how do we read and find out?
Or the manufacture date?

thanks!

[Cam]

What exactly got ruined in the engine? Our engines are non-interference...

[92 SVX]

Originally Posted by Cam

What exactly got ruined in the engine? Our engines are non-interference...

he is talking about a different car, he mentioned its a 4 cylinder in one of his posts.

[North Ursalia]

The vendor sold me the items and it's their responsibility.

No offense, but please explain this logic- how is it the responsibility of the person who sold an item instead of the person who manufactured the item when said item does not perform as expected?

Who pays for Subaru recalls? SOA, or the dealership who sold you the car?