Mechanic question about timing belts?

Question

After replacing a timing belt on a car(97 Volkswagen Polo to be exact), is it true that you cannot drive long distances for a while? I got the belt replaced and the next day, it broke. The mechanic only tells me afterwards that I wasn't supposed to drive it much. He said I was supposed to go easy on it to let it stretch or something? Is this true? I think he's trying to avoid fixing it for free. Thanks for the answers

Answer 1

That's a good one...and it is incorrect.

The tensioner is supposed to take up the slack for any stretching which may occur.

Answer 2

Not true. You can drive at any speed as normal with a new belt. I have had many new belts over the years and have never had a problem.

Answer 3

NO, you can replace the timing belt and take it on a trip the next day, He might have had the belt adjusted too tight..... Its the mechanics fault, not yours. I have never had a timing belt I replaced break the next day, or as far as i know, EVER break after I replaced them..

Answer 4

He is tell you lies that is not the case , he obviously fitted the belt incorrectly and try to get out of fixing the car for no extra charge

Answer 5

what he means is let the belt bed in a bit because it has probably been sitting on a shelf and the rubber has gone a bit hard. don't rev over 3000 rpm ideally but you can drive it as far as you want. after about 100 miles it should be fine.

Answer 6

That is incorrect.

He needs to fix it for you at his expense.

.

Answer 7

A timing belt is also know as a synchronous belt so they do not stretch. They're used as an alternative to a chain.

Your "mechanic" has got it so wrong, not only is he incapable of replacing a cam belt correctly he does not know the basic principles.

And he lies when he's fully responsible for for his incompetence.

If he denies responsibility threaten him with trading standards.

Answer 8

He is very wrong, to the point of being a liar. He has fitted the belt wrongly or tightened the belt tensioner too much.

Tell him to fix it for free.....

Answer 9

Hi the guy who fixed it needs his head tested,To come out with a STUPID thing like that !!! Bring it back tell him to fix it and not use an excuse like that..Timing belts are made to do a job and not gradually work up to optimum performance, they just work..Did he even change it in the first place...All i can think of is that he is a backstreet moron that does second rate work that probably charges top money... Regards Steve

Answer 10

What a load of rubbish.

If the belt is fitted correctly you can go as fast and as long as you like.

He clearly has done something very wrong !

Edit: If the belt has broke and he has done the job correctly then he should not be making up bu!!S**t excuses, he should get a new belt supplied and claim all the labour costs of the supplier of the belt

Answer 11

as long as it was installed correctly, you should be ably to drive 24/7. a timing belt does not have a brake in period. when you have this car towed back to the shop, you should be aware if this is an interference engine on not. if it is, you will be getting a new engine at the shops expense. if not, you should at least get a rental car due to the techs mistake.  

Answer 12

Technically, timing belts do not stretch, that is why interference engines use them, to insure exactt valve timing. they are more likely to break suddenly, rather than stretch. The tensioner provides correct tension over the entire operating temperature, so expansion from heat does not affect the belts tension, as well as sudden engine speed changes.

Many shops recommend that you drive a vehicle short distances in the hopes of, if a problem does occur, they will not be liable for a long tow! I would question the competence of the technician who installed the belt. If there was not a failure of a related component (tensioner, pulley, etc.) that was recommended, then it would be his responsibility to correct the failure.

http://www.aa1car.com/library/ar594.htm

Answer 13

what kind of mechanic was that? if you get a new belt on and the timing is right, you can go across the usa if you want to.where did that mechanic get his license at?

Answer 14

Complete load of RUBBISH.

A new timing belt would only break under certain conditions - fitted incorrectly - old stock that hs perished.

Absolutely no reason for a car not to be driven a long distance. I have fitted several timing belts to my own cars and never had this problem - and one of my cars did 80,000 miles in a year.

He is trying to pull a fast one on you.

That aside - there have been several instances where mechanics have replaced the belts and not changed or checked the tensioners - this can cause the belt to fail.

There have also been several incidents involving Gates & Quinton Hazell belts snapping after fitting.

Answer 15

I'm no mechanic, but I've had just about every car problem you can. No mechanic has ever told me that. If they correctly fixed the problem you should be able to drive the car without any worries or stipulations. MAKE him fix it and I would ask for my money back or a discount! It is there fault, don't doubt that!

Answer 16

No he is talking c**p! Take it back and tell him to fix it.

Ja.