Repairs done to van outside of warranty and late invoicing

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ryanline79

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My Ford Focus van (Bought July 2006) had a serious engine problem relating to the timing belt being replaced outside of warranty.
This occured back in August 2008 (at 92947 miles) and the Ford garage carried out the works and said that they would submit a report to Ford and see whether they would cover some of the costs of the repair and replacement etc.
In about October my father called in to the garage for me and spoke with the person we had being dealing with in the service department. He said that he hadnt heard anything back and that he presumed that they would be covering the full cost of the works.
Now in April 2009 I received a phone call from a guy that seems to have taken over in the service department saying that Ford had agreed to pay most of the costs but that they would still be charging me for the repairs.
They have since sent out an invoice for the works.

Does anyone have any advice on what I should do?

Considering it relates to the timing belt going in less that 100,000 miles should I be covered?
Also is there a minimum time that someone has to issue an invoice relating to works?
 
I would have thought that 50k miles was a more reasonable expectation for the timing belt, but maybe I'm wrong.

Either way, 93k miles is a hell of a lot of mileage on a 3 year old van. Unless you bought it used?
 
ryanline79 said:
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Also is there a minimum time that someone has to issue an invoice relating to works?
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I don't know about a minimum time, but anything up to 6 years is the maximum.

Was this a dealer warranty on a 2nd hand van or a manufacturer's warranty on a new van?
 
ryanline79 said:
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Does anyone have any advice on what I should do?....
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Look in the service/maintenance book that comes with a vehicle and see when the timing belt should be done. I would very much expect that it should have been changed long before 100k. In which case ford are being nice by offering to pay anything. Usually its changed between 50~70k depending on the specific engine.
 
Thanks lads for answering.

I would have thought that 50k miles was a more reasonable expectation for the timing belt, but maybe I'm wrong.

I had it in with them about two months earlier when the manifold on the turbo broke down and that was covered under the warranty.
At that stage there was no mention of timing belt needing to be replaced etc.
By the way I should have mentioned the van is a diesal.


Either way, 93k miles is a hell of a lot of mileage on a 3 year old van. Unless you bought it used?

I bought it new and I suppose I do a good bit of driving with work etc. I do keep it regularly serviced etc.
don't know about a minimum time, but anything up to 6 years is the maximum.

Was this a dealer warranty on a 2nd hand van or a manufacturer's warranty on a new van?
Again bought it new so it was manufacturers warranty.
Look in the service/maintenance book that comes with a vehicle and see when the timing belt should be done. I would very much expect that it should have been changed long before 100k. In which case ford are being nice by offering to pay anything. Usually its changed between 50~70k depending on the specific engine.
Its a 1.6L Diesal Turbo engine.
Essentially Im just seeing should this item be covered by them or as you say they are being sound in paying towards it.

Thanks
 
There different engines in different transits. Without knowing which engine you are talking about its impossible to answer. Intervals vary 50~150k. Some have timing some timing chains. If you don't have the book, ask in any Ford garage what the interval is on yours.

You say you get the van regularly serviced. Whoever does that should have pointed it out to you. Ultimately its your responsibly to maintain the van. But if the timing chain broke before its change was due. Then Ford should cover everything I'd have though.
 
AlbacoreA said:
There different engines in different transits. Without knowing which engine you are talking about its impossible to answer. Intervals vary 50~150k. Some have timing some timing chains. If you don't have the book, ask in any Ford garage what the interval is on yours.

You say you get the van regularly serviced. Whoever does that should have pointed it out to you. Ultimately its your responsibly to maintain the van. But if the timing chain broke before its change was due. Then Ford should cover everything I'd have though.
Click to expand...
 
I was under the impression that it was the timing chain that was the problem, I have the invoice they sent out but it mentions both a timing belt and chain.
Ill have a look at it this evening, it also mentions the exact type of engine etc.
Ill put that up and see what everyone thinks.

Like I said above if what they are looking for is valid then that is fine.
 
ryanline79 said:
I was under the impression that it was the timing chain that was the problem, I have the invoice they sent out but it mentions both a timing belt and chain.
Ill have a look at it this evening, it also mentions the exact type of engine etc.
Ill put that up and see what everyone thinks.

Like I said above if what they are looking for is valid then that is fine.
Click to expand...

From the invoice they have sent out

Timing Belt replaced
100% Parts & 50% Labour
R&I Timing Chain - 1.6L Duratorq - TDCI (DV) Diesal
R&I Timing Belt Tensioner - 1.6L Duratorq - TDCI (DV) Diesal
Ren Timing Belt - 1.6L Duratorq - TDCI (DV) Diesal

Also although I stated miles above it actually would have been 92000 kms that it went at. They quote it as miles on the invoice but the clock is in kms. So it only went at 57500 miles.

Although it states that it is the Timing Belt that has been replaced the main cost is agains the labour attached to the Timing Chain.

Anyway again if anyone could suggest what the best thing to do would be?
Should I pay in full?
Try and haggle because a timing belt / chain shouldnt go at this km/miles?
Or not pay because this should be covered?

Thanks again.
 
You need to find out the interval. Pointless discussing till you do that.

60k seems very early for a chain to go. I don't really understand how you could get the mileage mixed up tbh.
 
Invoice say 92000 miles on it. The invoice calls it miles but my van clock is in kms so they it would have been at 92000 kms when the problem occurred.
There is no option on the invoice to state that it is in kilometers.
My clock is at 120,000km at the moment, so for me about 30,000km since last August would be about right.
Ive actually reduced the amount of driving because I wasnt working from November 08 till Feb 09.

That explains the miles / kilometers issue.

Im not great with cars and motoring issues, thats why Im on here asking for a bit of advice.

Ive had a look through the owners and service manual and neither of them give the intervel when the timing chain should be changed.
 
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