Another Recall?

[nelmo]

I got a call yesterday from the independent garage that did my 100k service and cambelt, saying they had a recall notice from Lexus for the cambelt tensioner.

Has anyone else heard this?

Unfortunately, the garage owner wasn't around to explain further but my car is booked in next week. Weirdly, when he did my cambelt, he said he wasn't going to do the tensioner as they rarely need doing (they're made of metal, unlike some other cars where they're plastic).

Also, is it normal for Lexus to tell independents about recalls? He is a Toyota specialist (Tech-One in Sidcup), so maybe he has some special relationship/contact?

[ISJason]

hi, never heard anything myself... i would question it if i was you.

[Duncan Roberts]

Recall letters usually go to the registered keeper and are heralded on the Lexus web site. Treat with suspicion until either happens.

[Lexmanic]

Is it possible he now realizes he should have changed the tensioner when he did the cambelt & is using the excuse of a phony recall to cover himself. I assume as its a'recall' he'll be doing it for nothing

[Lexmanic]

Is it possible that he's using the excuse of a recall so he can replace the tensioner after realizing he should have done it before

[DanD]

Doesn't recall work have to be performed by registered dealers as opposed to independent garages?

[nelmo]

Yes, that was my thought and I called Lexus and they don't know of any tensioner recall.

He says there is no charge for the work - weird though - it's taken him a month to realise? When I originally called Lexus to get a quote for the cambelt, they also said they may not have to do the tensioner - they check it's condition at the time, which is why I was happy when this guy said the same.

I'm hoping he's just keen to keep me as a customer but I would have been happier if he just admitted his mistake, if that is the case.

[Slai]

Hi Nelmo - funnily enough I've had a call today and from the same garage. Dropping my motor off on Thursday.

The guy there Derek, is pretty stand up and the techies at Toyota Sidcup actually recommend him. I'll see what happens next week....

[nelmo]

I took my car in today and I'm a little confused...

When I first dropped off the car this morning, I asked Derek what he was changing and he said the tensioner. I reminded him that he never changed my tensioner in the first place, which threw him

Anyway, when I picked it up tonight, he said he hadn't actually changed the tensioner because he checked the serial numbers and my tensioner was not one of those that could possibly cause the issue (Lexus Sidcup, who he often does some work for, had mentioned that they had heard of some tensioners allowing the cambelt to slip and rub on the cover).

To be honest, I'm not sure I believe him - I think he thought I had already paid him for the tensioner and when he realised I hadn't, he didn't want to change it and be out of pocket. Probably saving it for you...

Let me know what happens...

[ISJason]

i would take your car to a reputable lexus dealer, not some cowboy as this guy appears to be.

It may be more expensive to take it to lexus., but u get a quality service.

[Duncan Roberts]

i would take your car to a reputable lexus dealer, not some cowboy as this guy appears to be.

It may be more expensive to take it to lexus., but u get a quality service.

Absolutely correct.

[nelmo]

i would take your car to a reputable lexus dealer, not some cowboy as this guy appears to be.

It may be more expensive to take it to lexus., but u get a quality service.

Over the years, I have had numerous cars and had some serviced at dealers and some at independent little garages. To date, I have not had a complaint with anyone (except maybe a slightly lazy Hyundai dealer).

The only difference is how much I have had to pay - in my experience, you get nothing extra for your money except a free coffee and a trendy lounge to sit in while you wait.

This 'cowboy' is well known and recommend by the local Lexus dealer and sometimes does some of their servicing for them (presumably when they're busy). I wouldn't be surprised if your 'reputable' dealer does the same thing.

Yes, he has slipped up here but he was trying to do the right thing and he hasn't cost me any more money - in fact, he has saved me £300 so far on one service. That's a lot of free coffee.....:-)

[DanD]

"Over the years, I have had numerous cars and had some serviced at dealers and some at independent little garages. To date, I have not had a complaint with anyone (except maybe a slightly lazy Hyundai dealer)."

Ah well, you obviously have never owned a Peugeot! :tsktsk:

[nelmo]

"Over the years, I have had numerous cars and had some serviced at dealers and some at independent little garages. To date, I have not had a complaint with anyone (except maybe a slightly lazy Hyundai dealer)."

Ah well, you obviously have never owned a Peugeot! :tsktsk:

Actually, the only car I have ever crashed (and wrote off) was a Peugeot 205. However, it was my mum's car and my parents were worse than me - never took a car to a garage unless it broke

[Slai]

Ok - just got my motor back and as with you Neil, mine wasn't affected. Evidently there are a batch of rogue tensioners out there and I suspect toyota are doing a discreet recall.

Whilst I was there, I got them to change the front and rear diff oils and spark plugs - wanted to try the plugs myself but thought I'd save myself the hassle instead.

Responding to Duncan and Jason - I'd ordinarily agree with you. But you've obviously not experienced the numpties they employ at Lexus Sidcup (part of Jemca). I'd go back to Tech One without hesitation.