Leon FR Cam Belt Slip

[NJG]

Hi Guys

Thought I might share this with you for reference, in case anyone has a similar story in the future.

My wife's MK2 Leon FR TDi (2007) has covered 207,000 miles from new, and still has a FSH from SEAT main dealer. Car is used for commuting from the South West to London every week, and the odd Continental holiday once or twice a year, hence the mileage.

On her commute back home the other day, she noticed the engine noise was unusually louder once she came off the motorway and slowed down to stop at a junction. (all appeared as normal whilst travelling on the motorway at higher revs)
She only had another 5 miles to go for home, and continued on.
I met her on the driveway, and could immediately hear the difference in "engine noise".

Stopped the engine, checked under the bonnet for anything obvious, and checked the oil.
All looked ok. Tried to start the engine again, but it wouldn't start immediately. Took about 10 secs with some throttle to fire it up.

Next morning called AA, and after some initial investigating with fault codes etc, they took the cam belt cover off to reveal the cam belt was loose!
The "loud noise" was the belt hitting the cover at low revs!
He was amazed the car survived the 200 mile journey, but of course we don't know at what stage of the journey, the belt started slipping.
This was the reason the engine wouldn't start straight away of course.

Further more, the belt was recently replaced back in Feb, (7,000 mls ago), along with a new water pump as a matter of course. (Main dealer)

So now the car has been towed back to the dealer for inspection and repair.
I'm just hoping no damage has been done, that doesn't show without a strip down, even though the engine may appear to be running ok.

So am currently waiting for the news from the dealer.
Fortunately, the cam belt change had a 5 yr warranty as backed up by the following statement in their letter
Quote
" You now have complete peace of mind that your new complete replacement cambelt kit is covered by a free five-year warranty, including unlimited consequential engine damage. So whatever happens, you’re covered for the life of your cambelt." Unquote.

I hope they are honest with their findings....

 

[manhota]

Virtually all seat dealers are ******s apart from Sere and 1 and 2 others they will try and fob you off and seat UK is a load of ****. I would never buy another seat again skoda and audi treat you much better, you should be OK by what you said but they might come out with you dropped oil on the belt.

 

[Big Dunc]

This is a bit worrying.

Do let us know what happens

 

[richicupra]

Sounds like you will be covered by warranty, don't accept anything less than full cost covered by Seat.

 

[NJG]

This is a bit worrying.

Do let us know what happens

Well I got the car back today. Job done under the parts warranty.

Apparently the bolt\stud that retains the tensioner to the engine block had sheared the thread within the aluminium block as it worked its way loose.

This was the second case the dealership had experienced, and the thing in common with the first case, was that both cars had previously had a cam belt change. (i.e high mileage \ second fitment of cam belt tensioner)

The retaining bolt\stud being steel, had enlarged and weakened the thread within the alloy block on the second fitment. (if that makes sense)

This has been recognised by SEAT as a design fault with the threaded stud.
The original stud being too small in diameter for steel in to alloy.
So they now supply a stud that has the same diameter as the original one on the end that fits in to the tensioner, and the other end is increased in size to fit within the block, making a more secure fixing.

The work around was to drill and tap the block for the new larger stud.

That was the explanation anyway, and I was shown the 2 examples of the threaded stud.

So all is running ok now..

 

[richicupra]

Good news

 

[glynnd]

Well I got the car back today. Job done under the parts warranty.

Apparently the bolt\stud that retains the tensioner to the engine block had sheared the thread within the aluminium block as it worked its way loose.

This was the second case the dealership had experienced, and the thing in common with the first case, was that both cars had previously had a cam belt change. (i.e high mileage \ second fitment of cam belt tensioner)

The retaining bolt\stud being steel, had enlarged and weakened the thread within the alloy block on the second fitment. (if that makes sense)

This has been recognised by SEAT as a design fault with the threaded stud.
The original stud being too small in diameter for steel in to alloy.
So they now supply a stud that has the same diameter as the original one on the end that fits in to the tensioner, and the other end is increased in size to fit within the block, making a more secure fixing.

The work around was to drill and tap the block for the new larger stud.

That was the explanation anyway, and I was shown the 2 examples of the threaded stud.

So all is running ok now..

what they actually meant was the technician had over tightened the tensioner bolt when the cambelt was last replaced...