I posted a question a few days ago about starting problems on my Elegance PD 140. On starting the engine would cut out unless you revved the engine in which case it would be fine.

Anyway, I took it to the dealer over the weekend and today they said there is a problem with the cam belt sensor although they couldn't fully diagnose the fault. They suggested I take it to their sister dealership who had more advanced diagnostic equipment. I rang them and they expressed surprise becaue apparently both dealerships have the same equipment! Tomorrow I am intending to take the car to another Skoda dealer near where I work to hear what they have to say.

The problem is I had the cam belt and tensioners changed recently at a local garage (not Skoda - my car is out of warranty), which is part of a local chain and has a good reputation. If the cam belt sensor fault turns out to be because they have made a mess of the belt change what do I do next? Do I have to offer them the chance to rectify the problem or get a Skoda dealer to fix it and send them the bill?

I'm not at all technical but the person I spoke to today said that they may not have locked off the cams when the belt was changed? Although this can be fixed apparently and the car is OK to drive? Can anybody translate this into layman's terms and tell me if it is really likely such a mistake could be made (I have a slight doubt over what I was told today due to what I learnt about the diagnostic equipment)?

Thanks for your help.

I can't give you legal advice as IANAL.

What I would say is pop back to where the belt was done and tell them that the dealer has stated there is a sensor issue and could they check that the belt is properly aligned.

I would suggest that the timing might be one tooth out which is causing the sensor problems. If this is the case then it would be up to the people who did the cambelt to rectify this at no cost to yourself.

As for not locking off the cams :eek: Basically you have two shafts that have to stay in correct time with each other. The belt holds them in this position, so when you change the belt you have to lock them so they don't move and go out of "time" with each other while you take the belt off and put the new one on.

All in my opinion of course.

Totally agree as above.

Tell them you have had a report from a Skoda dealer and get the garage who done it to rectify the problem FOC to you.