Hello,



I would really, really appreciate some friendly, honest help asap.

I'm in a bit of a situation with a garage that I recently bought a Freelander 2 from.

(Bought with 3 months warranty - Freelander 2 - 2014 - SD4 - HSE - Auto.)

Before I purchased it the garage said that they would do a full health check, a service would have been completed at the mileage at purchase and the cambelt would be replaced.

I picked the car up about a month ago - but they couldn't do the cambelt as no engineers were available - but they said they would do it asap.

It went in for the cambelt replacement about a week ago.

Driving back from the cambelt replacement job, after about 20 miles, the car started to lose power, juddering quite badly and there were knocking noises coming from the engine.

I pulled over straight away and rang the garage. They told me to take the car back to them - and I explained over the phone that I would do BUT they would be liable for any further damage - they said ok.

As I got closer and closer to the garage, it began to lose more and more power - before finally stopping completely 9 miles from the garage. It couldn't be started again.

They collected it and took it in.

I have heard back from them, and they have said that it's a DPF problem and that it's not covered by warranty.

Does this sound right to anyone? Can someone please give me some advice? I really appreciate it.



Thanks,

Cliff

BigRedDog said:

Does this sound right to anyone? Can someone please give me some advice? I really appreciate it.

Click to expand...

I suggest they are trying to fob you off for incompetent work.
It sounds like the timing belt tensioner has backed off, allowing the belt to become loose and jump on the pulleys. This would create the symptoms you've had.
I suspect the garage are trying to get you to pay for the damage by telling you it's something unrelated and expensive, like the DPF.
A DPF fault will also come up on the dash as either a DPF fault, or give a reduced engine performance warning. I've never heard of a DPF making a noise, or stopping the vehicle from running.

However in law even if it was the DPF (I don't believe it is here), they are still responsible for any repair costs. A vehicle that is sold by car dealer has to of marketable quality, and so must be expected to last a "reasonable" before major work is needed.
If they don't accept responsibility, speak to citizens advice and trading standards. I'd also like the vehicle taken to an independent examiner for investigation of the true fault.

Thanks very much for your advice!

Ask them to provide evidence of the error codes. They could take a pic of their scanner.

any DPF problem would put a light on the dash

DPF is not normally covered in a warranty, however within the first month, any fault is deemed to be 'pre-existing', you are also entitle to reject the car and a full refund

Hippo said:

Ask them to provide evidence of the error codes. They could take a pic of their scanner.

Click to expand...

Cheers

kermit_rr said:

any DPF problem would put a light on the dash

Click to expand...

Thanks

kermit_rr said:

DPF is not normally covered in a warranty, however within the first month, any fault is deemed to be 'pre-existing', you are also entitle to reject the car and a full refund

Click to expand...

Thanks

The symptoms you mention do sound very much like a timing belt or chain issue (yes I know the FL is belt). The reason I mention chain, is I was driving a 38k miler, fully serviced, at the time 5 year old VW Polo 1.2 that the timing chaing jumped a tooth or two. It all happened very fast and detonated the engine requiring a full rebuild. This is a known fault on those VW Polo 1.2 engine PoS heaps and another brand that makes cars with well known and documented faults, who refuse to take responsibility, VW that is.
I think as the others say, youd have different warning signs of DPF, but could be a number of things. If it was the belt jumping or losing tension, I would expect that would cause major damage if continued to drive (if it even could be!?) requiring a rebuild. Could be wrong but i've never heard of such an issue just being resolved with fixing the belt or chain.

Let us all know the outcome and good luck.

Fl2 has belt AND chain chains rarely go faulty usually deferred oil changes, doing service at 20k even if driven in harsh conditions (ASDA and back) etc.
With DPFs it also mixes with diesel faster putting stress on chain again.
But like Nodge68 says his sounds like a mistake has been made on timing job and they are trying to get away with it. Take legal action, knocking because of DPF? please.

Simply say nowt and turn up on their doorstep and ask to take a look at your car.