Vauxhall Corsa, major problem

[BEN.KING]

A few months ago I was driving home from work when my oil light came on. I thought that this was strange as I had only topped it up a few weeks earlier. Then just a few minutes later, my car lost power and just broke down. The model is a 1.3.cdti on a 53 plate. It has a full service history and has been well looked after. Anyway after a week or so and having rung many garages, all of whom said they couldnt fix it I eventually took it to vauxhall. They told me the cam shaft had broken and the car needed a new engine quoting me �4000! Obviously I wasnt very pleased so I started looking elsewhere for someone who could provide me with an engine. I found a diesel specialist who eventually found me a second hand engine and I had to pay �2820! I had to take out a loan to pay for this on top of the loan I already had for the car. I have contacted vauxhall about this and I have had no reply. Is there anyway I could make vauxhall pay for this or should I just put it down to bad luck? Surely this shouldnt happen to a 4 year old car

[david1702198]

it shouldnt really happen to a car with a decent service history, ive never heard of an engine having to be replaced due to a broken camshaft, are u sure they werent talking about the crankshaft? some cars when the timing belt breaks snap the camshaft(older ford 1.8 diesel engine for example) but can still be repaired fairly easily without having to resort to replacing the engine. unless the problem occured due to a common fault with that particular engine ie the camshaft being starved of oil or something to thta effect, keep chasing vauxhall for an explanation

[BigB]

If the camshaft has broken then the engine valve timing will be out, the valves would contact the pistons which would generally cause catastrophic damage. Any damaged engine can be repaired however the costs involved in repairing an engine with damage consistent with a camshaft breaking is normally higher than replacing the einge with a reconditioned unit. I've not heard of a common problem on these engines and we run at least 400 vehicles with the same engine in. Vauxhall are very unlikely to pay anything im afraid as the vehicle is too old.

[NORMANTHEDOG]

the car is 5 yrs old and on average mileage of 8k,a yr.it was getting near the time for a cam belt change,was you not advised by anyone that this should be done.it will clearly state this in your handbook.

[NORMANTHEDOG]

what is the mileage,was you not told you need to change the cam belt at a certain time,or earlier.

[NORMANTHEDOG]

you can type in a answer,mate

[david1702198]

even if the belt went and snapped the camshaft AND damaged all the valves it would still be a lot cheaper to repair than replacing the engine!!16 new valves,a new timing belt kit, new camshaft. head gasket set and labour.

[ditchy49]

vauxhall s hav problem with oil pump but they wont admit it think the one who charged you 2820 to repair should be complained at you can pick engines up for them for around �500 ive bought a few so i no think he has ripped you off a bit

[BigB]

David1702198, you are only dealing with the known damage. When a camshaft breaks the valves would normally hit the pistons. The forces involved in this can bend the con rods. Also if the camshaft itself has broken the likelyhood is it would have damaged the cylinder head which could be repaired but again as a total job the costs could exceed a new engine price. I agree with Ditchy that the price seems a bit steep but this is what a dealer charges. They dont like to fit a recon engine from any supplier other than Vauxhall

[BEN.KING]

Thanks people. Oh n sorry it was the crank shaft I meant not the cam shaft. DUH! Thanks a lot though