1. Home
  2. Volkswagen, everything else
  3. Passat dealer damage during maintenance

Passat dealer damage during maintenance

well, I went into the local dealership with my Passat AWD 2000 wagon for an invited, promotional service check (with a $500 dollar free toy spree which turned out to be not worth a second look) ... and the mechanic, while checking leaking cam tensioner seals (at my request, since WoodChuck accurately diagnosed this problem in my earlier posting.... THANKS!) apparently `neglected to take the wrench off the crank nut' before starting up the car.. thus causing some symphonic attractions, and royally screwing up the engine timing, damaging valve stems and who knows what else...

my initial thoughts were for the mechanic... no one in their worst dreams wants to make this kind of mistake...and the dealer was very straightforward about the error, and promised to cover all expenses....but my next thoughts went to (irrespective of cause) what might be the (short and long term) effect? ...can this damage an engine seriously enough to warrant engine replacement? and what should I look out for? Woodchuck, are you there? you were spot on last time!!! any cautionary advice? this has been one of the best and most practical user group forums for me over the years, and beats the car doctor funnies on NPR by a long shot..... thanks in advance...John L

Reply to
jeslawrence
Loading thread data ...

Now that's what I call "having a bad day"! Not you but the tech. Aside from the dealer pulling the heads and replacing the valves no other damage should of happened... other than his ego. There's a lot of STRESS involved in doing t-belt, camshaft type of repairs. At least for me. Can you imagine the STRESS I go through when replacing timing belts on Porsche's I once worked on. There was NO room for error on the engines, especially the 928 V8 engines with 32 valves.

Sleep tight

Reply to
Woodchuck

absolutely I understand the stress.... and feel for the guy actually more than for my car, and I never expected that!

but still, when I sit back and think, I wonder what the possible impacts are on a fine V6.... can damaged valves/camshaft hurt the cylinders, or any other aspects of upper engine design? thnks, J

Reply to
jeslawrence

I'd just ask to see the top of the pistons & the bores once the heads are off. An independent VW specialist here told me that when you bend valves on a 1.8T sometimes the valve can get bent right into the side of the bore & can damage it and/or the piston crown. I don't know if the V6 is the same but I'd ask to have a look just to be sure that there was no damage to those areas as well. If all is well then let them rebuild the heads & bolt it back together.

rgds

I.

Reply to
Iain Miller

Reply to
jeslawrence

A damaged bore might well see increased oil consumption & possibly a loss of compession. A dinged/damaged piston crown could cause localised overheating & eventually failure/holing of the piston.

I would insist on seeing the inside of the bores & the piston crowns myself. The ones to worry about are obviously the ones that have bent their respective valves - which is probably not all 6.

I.

Reply to
Iain Miller

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.