Timing Chain failure 1.3 JTD Grand Punto

[DJWalker]

full FIAT service history, 80,000 miles 2007, owned since 14,000 miles.

just pulling away from a junction, about 2000 revs, no bang, no fuss, rolled to a halt as gently as you like.

The timing chain had snapped according to the Fiat garage, needs all 32 cam followers replacing, plus of course the timing chain and tensioners.. I think I will need to sit down when I hear the estimate..

Has anyone EVER managed to get compensation out of Fiat after warranty expired? :bang:

 

[Ffoxy]

If you want to & can stomach the extra cost, an Engineers report might bolster any claim. It would seem on the face of it that some kind of mechanical failure has occurred, trick is to prove it happened due to poor design or defective manufacture... rather than neglect (before you bought it).

 

[s130]

This is a very iffy route to undertake.

I think that unless you can 110% prove an inherrant fault then one is better off pursueing the "Good Will" compensation route.

Being Fiat Forum/Club enthusiast and Fiat supporter then you are more likely to get a better Fiat UK response.

 

[DJWalker]

Well had the Quote... nigh on 3 grand! Fiat have no intention of putting anything towards it (because of the 'high' mileage ) so in effect the car is worthless, as the Glasses trade in guide values the car at £2,260.... anyone want a knackered punto diesel? This timing chain should have a FIAT sanctioned and scheduled maintenance check at 50,000 miles... :bang: back to Ford.. the old Focus was at 160,000 miles no bother when a white van man running into the back wrote it off..so angry...

 

[tinytim]

ie it needs a new cylinder head, timing chain and tensioners; surely cheaper to get an independent garage to fit a secondhand one?

 

[DJWalker]

looked down that route Tim... but as it's a Driving School car, and the short term rental driving school car is costing £200 a week, and moving house too, we have bitten the bullet as its the quickest option.. Looked at a re conditioners in London, then saw all the complaints of 'car napping' against it, we were scared off... so the Punto is resplendent with 16 new valves, 32 followers, timing chain and tensioners.. just over £2,600 in the end.. If it lasts for 9 months it will have paid its way... as I'm leasing after that!

 

[theshmoo]

where are you based ?