[s-cars] [s-cars} Was Bad CPS - Now Bad Crank Pulley

[Tom Mullane]

Tom,

It really is almost impossible to reinstall the crank pulley incorrectly if
the key is intact.  Further, they would have no reason to remove it to
change the CPS.  Yes, they removed the timing belt, but they most likely
only removed it from the cam sprocket, not the crank.  I sincerely doubt the
dealer would have both been inept enough to remove the lower pulley to
change a CPS and also somehow manage to re-install it incorrectly.  When the
belt was reinstalled, if they lined it up with the timing marks, it went on
the same way it came off.  Agreed there is a possibility they could have
accidentally put the belt on wrong and then concocted the "bad pulley" story
to cover the mistake - a real stretch for Fairfield Audi.

Unless, of course, the harmonic balancer failed in such a way that the
timing mark on the balanced moved in such a way that it was no longer
correctly related to the key on the sprocket.  That may have resulted in the
belt coming off right but going back on wrong (despite being in line with
the timing marks).  If that's the case, it's tough to blame the dealer
100%.  I can't say that I would have caught that and I've done a belt or
two.  Does anyone know if this is possible?  Seems worth considering given
that the parts price must cover more than just the sprocket...

Bottom line is that the car was towed in not running and is not running
now.  It's hard to blame the dealer for breaking it.

WRT Dr. Molk's car, I did see it...and I saw the "horrible damage" to both
the valves and the pistons.  Four valves were slightly bent, and when I
looked at the pistons, it was very, very difficult to determine where the
valves had made contact.  Neither my eyes or my fingertip could see any
damage.  Remember, this damage occurred when the starter turned the engine
at 500+/- rpm - not highway speeds.

I also drove Dr. Molk's car shortly after the repair when he was selling
it.  The car drove fine, but "pristine" is not a word I would use to
describe it.  It was mechanically "all there" and felt good on the road, but
the paint was in rough shape and the ecru interior was badly in need of a
cleaning.  No where near pristine in my book.  I passed.

Tom

On 6/22/06, Tom Green <trgreen at comcast.net> wrote:
>
>  Not so, Tom.
>
> The CPS was changed in this case by removing and reinstalling the timing
> belt, which means the mechanic should have caught the bad pulley if it was
> prior
> damage.  If not, it was damaged on reinstallation.  You only assume at
> this point that the CPS was not faulty, and the valves were bent before, not
> after the
> timing belt was removed and replaced with the CPS change.
>
>
> I am still on that road - the dealer owns the bag unless they can show
> otherwise.
>
>
> If you had seen Dr Molk's car, you would have been out of sorts as well.
> There were few cars with that low mileage and pristine condition around at
> that time,
> and Hoffman did not step up to bat until management stepped in- the
> service manager was the obnoxious party.
>
>
> Tom
>
>
>  On Jun 22, 2006, at 6:19 PM, Tom Mullane wrote:
>
>  Whoa.  Let's not go down that road:
> Richard Molk's situation was completely different.  He brought a running
> car in for service and the job was botched.  He then blew the whole thing
> way out of proportion and made a few very lightly damaged valves sound like
> the engine was completely trashed.  Yes, Hoffman f'ed up, but their solution
> was reasonable and adequate.  He was obnoxious and was egged on by the list
> to be more so.
>
> Dave's situation is simply a case of misdiagnosis.  I suppose he should
> argue that he should not have to pay for the cam position sensor and the
> accompanying labor, but I suspect that he will only end up paying a small
> portion of the originally quoted cost.  If I were Dave, I would point out
> the misdiagnosis and pay for the part only (at most).
>
> Not sure where the astronomical quote for the bottom pulley/sprocket comes
> from.  From the sound of things, this is the same part being discussed in
> the current timing belt thread; wholesale cost is about $45.  Depending on
> how far out of whack things are, Dave might be looking a few bent
> valves...something that is not anyone's fault.
>
> Dave, you mention that you have an extended warranty.  Why didn't this pay
> for the CPS too?
>
> Tom
>
>
> Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2006 17:26:09 -0400
> From: Tom Green <trgreen at comcast.net>
> Subject: Re: [s-cars] [s-cars} Was Bad CPS - Now Bad Crank Pulley
> To: s-car-list at audifans.com
> Message-ID: < 855D584B-C855-4B89-89AE-04A8E63E87A5 at comcast.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed
>
> The guy I was referring to was Dr. Richard Molk  of Chicago who had a
> timing belt change muffed at Hoffman Audi in CT.  The Audifans
> archives are in
> December 2002 under S-car Head repair, The dealers great deal, and
> Let's get Dave a new motor, was: S-car Head Repair, ( he posted some
> on his
> son David's computer) :-) , and had emails from many current listers.
>
> There are some really similar events in Dave Hoog's  current
> situation, so far, that this thread may helpful in sorting out.
>
> Tom
>
>
>
>
>