Hi

I took my 1.2 16V Punto 03 reg to the garage today to change the timing belt. There was no problem with the car when I took it in but when I went back I was told that there was a problem with the brake servo and the car was undrivable until repaired. As they did not inform me of this problem until after they had fitted the new belt I suspect that they may have damaged the servo whilst replacing the belt. I would be very grateful if someone could confirm how likely it is that they could have damage the servo, and if so how they could have done this. The more I understand about this the more likely it is that I can get some redress. Thank you. Any help greatly appreciated.

i cant see why the servo could be damaged when doing this, however there are some idiots out there in the trade, so it might have happened....

did they not show you the problem?

Thanks for the reply Munkul. They took me to the car and reved the engine and said you could hear a problem with air on the breaking because of a defective servo. To be honest I was in such a shock about finding out this problem and not knowing much about cars, my mind was in a spin. Unfortunately I do not know anyone who knows about cars who could go to the garage and check the car.

Out of interest what sort of thing would an idiot have to do to damage the servo? A hefty wack? Or could damage be caused in another way by doing the job wrong?

Strangely, I did see a post on the internet (but cannot remember where) from a guy who changed his own Punto drive belt and then had the same problem, but he did not get any replies which solved the mystery.

Regards

just taken a look myself, i think it would be really hard work to damage it whilst changing the timing belt.... as far as i can see, anyway.

you would have to be beyond moronic, and also have the strength of a gorilla to damage it i think.

Thanks for your help Munkul.

Seems that it is a very cruel coincidence unless the servo is not actually faulty and it is something else. If I inspect the car again how can i tell it is the servo and not a connection or something else much cheaper to repair.

Thanks again

Hi,

When you say you could hear air....

Sounds like they may have pulled off the vacuum pipe by mistake. Or even pinched it and put a split in it. Did you have a look to see where the air noise was coming from?

Alan

Hi

Thanks for your comments a1ant

When they showed me the car it was on the ground. Presumably you can only see the servo if it is up on the ramp. I do not even know where it is or what it looks like. If the actual servo is no good does this mean the air will only leak from the seals actually on the servo? Am I correct in assuming that if air is escaping anywhere other than the servo that the servo is ok. I think they may be trying to con me do you think?

Regards

Hi mate,

You can see the servo from the ground. Its right at the back mounted on the bulkhead. (Bit that separates the inside of the car form the engine compartment).

Its strange that it was fine before you took it there, and now its not. I would get it running again so that you can hear the hissing, and then try and pinpoint where its coming from. Follow the flexible pipes back from the servo if need be. Also, sit in the car with the engine off. Pump the break pedal until it goes hard. Then push your foot on the break pedal and hold it there. With your foot held on the break pedal, start the engine, you SHOULD then feel the brake pedal go down slightly (indicating there is good vacuum)

If you do find where the air is leaking from, and you have a camera phone, take a picture of it and stick it on here and I'm sure well be able to tell you more info or what its going to need to be fixed.

Alan

Thanks for everyones help

David

Oh.... and the break servo unit will look a bit like this....




This one isnt off a fiat, but just to give you an idea of roughly what your looking for. The black rubber hose is the vacuum pipe.

Alan

Thought I would give an update.

It seems that the alledged mechanic (or should we be calling them technicians these days) actually managed the almost impossible (so I can think of pleny of extra names for these guys). I went back to the garage this morning as I had decided not to trust them any more. I paid for the cam belt to get the car back and then had the car transported to a local garage that someone recommended. (Why did I not do this before!!!!) They found that the servo had been wacked by something heavey and it had indentations and marks on it, so it does need replacing.

As the original garage was a national chain I complained to head office. They came back to me within a few hours and said that I should get the car repaired, after which I am to take the report and old Servo to the branch for inspection. They will then reinburse me IF they agree it was their fault.

I assume that I should be ok in getting a refund because the threat of me going to trading standards, small claims court etc. is probably not worth their while arguing any more, especially as I will have a independant report.

Thanks again for all your help Munkel and A1ant

David

like i said, gorillas with goldfish brains

Munkul said:

like i said, gorillas with goldfish brains

Click to expand...

A bit harsh, goldfish are actually clever! lol.

Hope they pay up