CAM Belt - Laguna 1999

charlie_boy · Unread post by **charlie_boy** » 27 Feb 2003, 20:39

I recently had a cam belt change on my Renault Laguna 16V 1.8 RT, T Reg
(1999), and the garage who original did it put the wrong belt on, thus
damaging 6 of the valves. So, after new valves and the correct belt fitted,
I though all was well. So after about twelve weeks later, my engine lost all
power from a standing start ( He wasn't a Renault main dealer). I had it
towed to a garage, and this was the enginners report:-
"In inspection of the car, the cam belt had failed. The cam belt cover which
has a rubber seal had come away and tangled under the belt thus the rubber
had become trapped under the belt. The belt had then jumped causing the
valves to bend in the cylinder head. Cam belt cover was incorrectly fitted."
I do really need to know, as
a matter of urgency of what could of happened, and if the above engineers
report is actually true.
Also do you think it is just bad luck, or the original garage who fitted the wrong belt contributed to the problem.
Sorry to impose on your goodselves, but as you can imagine, it is causing me
alot of anguish.

arry_b · Unread post by **arry_b** » 27 Feb 2003, 23:24

Your engineers report says it all. "Cam belt cover incorrectly fitted." - assumingly by whoever fixed the belt and valves following the original mistake when the wrong belt was fitted. Shoddy.
Have you approached them about it yet, armed with your engineers report? Evidence like that and the threat of a small claims court action may help spur them into action.

CITMAN · Unread post by **CITMAN** » 28 Feb 2003, 01:23

It is very true that if the cambelt cover was fitted incorrectly and it also has a rubber seal. That the rubber seal would not be tight against the mating surfaces and over a period of time it would work loss eventually into the cambelts working path, as it would then get caught up in the belt and lift it from the pullys hence it slipping and damaging the engine.
I would say that that the orignal garage has a lot to answer for and if i were you i wouldnt go back to them ever again. THEY SOUND A LITTLE DODGE, IF THEY FITTED THE WRONG BELT IN THE FIRST PLACE AND THEN WHEN FIXING THE VALVES THEY FITTED THE CAMBELT COVER WRONGLY. SOUNDS TO ME THAT HAVENET WORKED ON MANY OF THESE ENGINES I.E. THE 16 VALVE LAGUNAS.