I had my water pump changed two weeks ago. ?

Question

My car then started to emit black smoke and promptly broke down. I got towed to a garage who said that my timing belt had slipped and knocked my valves.

My car is now dead as the engine needs replacing and this would cost more than the car is worth.

Is this the fault of the garage and connected with the water pump?

Answer 1

Truth is, nobody can say without knowing which engine we are talking about here.

For example if the belt was removed, and not tensioned correctly then yes,  this would be the fault of the mechanic.

If your belt was behind schedule, or your water pump was driven by the accessory drive, (although some of Ford's Zetec's are accessory driven and sometimes need the timing belt removed,) then no.

Lets us know what car and engine is it.

Answer 2

what kind car. normally no.  

Answer 3

It depends on the car.  Sometimes a timing belt will need to be removed or adjusted to reach the water pump, in which case they MAY have left it loose.   However, in any instance it will be hard to prove.  On the other hand, if your belt was worn or loose, a reputable mechanic should have noticed and let you know.

Answer 4

I know on the earlier GM 2.4 you must remove the timing chain to replace the water pump. You will have to find out how the pump is driven, then talk to the shop that replaced it.

Answer 5

Depends on the sort of car you have, having said that when they changed the water pump did they replace the timing belt? On cars that have there water pump driven by the timing belt it is standard practise to fix a new belt at the same time.

If they told you that they needed to change the belt and you told them not to (Cost or mileage on the car) then its basically your problem. However if they did not tell you that you needed a new belt you have a good case.

Ja.

Answer 6

bit of a gray area...the pump is driven by the cam belt,its possable they tightend it to tight causing it to fail....or it could simply have failed on its own....

a zetec head from a brakers is only £50.[you buy the head]...see if the garage will fit[good will]

Answer 7

  NO it's not.  But some water pumps are turned by the timing belt,in this case a mech should have told you the risk of an old belt.IF not it's totally unlikly the pump could affect the belt.

                         "BRILLIANT"!!!!h

Answer 8

If the water pump is driven by the cambelt (which is the case with most cars) then yes they are at fault. They should have advised you to have the belt replaced at the same time.  

Answer 9

It sounds like someone didn't turn the engine over by hand and watch the timing marks when they put the timing belt back on like they were supposed to. When this happens, you get what's referred to as 'expensive noises' when the valves crash into the tops of the pistons. I wouldn't blame it on the shop, but on the technician that worked on the car. Mistakes like that are expensive.

Answer 10

No.

Answer 11

Mostly wrong answers: Depending on the car, most modern engines have a water pump driven by the timing belt, which makes your situation far too much of a coincidence. Email me the exact details of the car, and I'll confirm it, but I'd bet it's a belt driven pump.