This may be a longish post so apologies, and get comfy now!I answered the 'phone today and the chap asked if I was Anmat Services. I replied in the affirmative and he calmly explained that he was calling because his 1998 Renault Megane Scenic had shed its belt and the engine was in pieces at another garage.
An engineer from the belt manufacturer had examined the belt etc. and said that it was the wrong belt for the application.
He then got to the bottom line - I had fitted the belt some time ago! He was wondering how much I would be prepared to pay and when.
I replied that there were a number of problems:-
1. I would have been supplied with the belt by my factor and I would have specified the correct vehicle.
2. As he was not the person to whom I had warranted the work there might be no claim from him.
3. The belt was fitted over 12 months prior to its failure.
He was polite and said that he still had this problem of who was going to pay. I said that I could not comment further until I had checked the facts at my end and spoken to my factor.
He asked if I would speak to the engineer and I said that I would be happy to do so but again, only after looking at my records first.
I check with my factor and they said that the belt was correct according to their catalogue...but, wait a minute, here's a supplement showing that a different belt was needed for this engine! Bear in mind that I would have given them the registration number and year, model etc. Engine no. too, if they had asked.
When the engineer called me he confirmed that the belt fitted had been for the 1.9 diesel and not the 1.9 TDi, which mine was. Hence its premature failure.
I asked about the physical appearance of the belt, which I would have compared to the belt I had removed. He said that I would probably not have noticed the slight difference in belt width, the tooth profile and count were identical, but the internal construction was different.
The engineer asked what I thought and I repeated my 3 points above. He seemed to agree that the warranty period of 12 months might apply but did not sound convincing.
I know that there was a discussion here some time ago about our liability for belt failures.
What do you think guy's? As yet I have not heard anything more, but I suspect I will!!!
Regards,
Steve