Two garages two opinions? Help please!

westcoastred

I have a VW Golf 1.4 01 reg and two nights ago the warning light came on saying 'Stop oil pressure'. We were on the motorway so while we were slowing to pull over the power steering went and the engine eventually cut out just as we were stopping! I checked the oil level and there was plenty. The manual said if this is the case to call a tow truck. When he came he tried to turn over the engine but it sounded like it was full of marbles. The mechanic said that he thought the problem was coming from the timing belt.

Now comes the problem, we had him tow the car to a garage nearby as our breakdown cover was local only and a tow home would have cost 300+. The next day that garage rings to say that the timing belt is gone and that it wasn't done properly when I had it changed in May (6000 miles on it since). So I ring the garage where it was done and he says that he'll cover the cost if thats the case as the timing belt is guaranteed.

So he gets the car brought to his garage to check it out himself, which is fair enough. However now he's got back to me saying that the problem has been caused by the camshaft seizing and that this could involve getting a new engine.

The first garage was sure that the timing belt was to blame. The second garage has suggested low oil or old age as possible reasons for the camshaft seizing, now as i mentioned before the oil level is good.
Is it possible for a camshaft to seize at 116000 miles due to old age? Or would the problem with the timing belt (which the first garage blamed) be the cause of the seizure?

Any help would be greatly appreciated as we don't really have a clue what to do here!!

smash

Did the tow truck driver check the oil level?

If so, I'd get a report from him, and a report from the first garage that saw the car and hand both to the garage that wont take the blame.

Darsad

To be fair to the original installer of the T belt if the Camshft seizes then the T belt will be shredded and it would be understandable why somebody would diagnose the T belt as the fault when it could actually be a symptom rather than the cause.I dont think you have 2 contrary opinions just one cursory and one detailed.

westcoastred

Yeah, he checked the oil level. The second mechanic also talked to the first guy and got an earful from him about the job done on the timing belt. I don't think the second mechanic is actually trying to say there isn't enough oil in the car it was just his response to me asking him what caused the camshaft to seize.

Thanks for the suggestion, i'll see about getting those reports.

Anan1

Darsad wrote: »

To be fair to the original installer of the T belt if the Camshft seizes then the T belt will be shredded and it would be understandable why somebody would diagnose the T belt as the fault when it could actually be a symptom rather than the cause.I dont think you have 2 contrary opinions just one cursory and one detailed.

I'm thinking the same myself, although I would like to know exactly why the first garage thought that the TB 'wasn't done properly' when replaced.

westcoastred

Darsad wrote: »

To be fair to the original installer of the T belt if the Camshft seizes then the T belt will be shredded and it would be understandable why somebody would diagnose the T belt as the fault when it could actually be a symptom rather than the cause.I dont think you have 2 contrary opinions just one cursory and one detailed.

I appreciate that, which is why i'm asking what can cause the camshaft to seize as it has enough oil and the mechanic's other explanation of old age didn't sound the strongest.

mickdw

You got the oil pressure light so regardless of oil level, we can assume it was an oiling fault. Maybe your oil pump failed or something in the oil system stopped oil getting to the head of the engine, leading to camshaft seizing and ripping the belt and everything else to bits.
Just cause there is enough oil sitting in the sump doesnt mean there is enough oil going around the engine

Gary ITR

A number of things could have caused the camshaft to seize. The fact your oil pressure light came on would point me towards your oil pump failing. Therefore you would get a dipstick measure that read full in the sump but the oil is no good to you if it's not pumped up to the cam


Edit: Mick got there ahead of me

westcoastred

Ok well thanks for that, even if its not what i wanted to hear

At least i can talk to the second mechanic with a bit of background to the problem. Appreciate the quick responses everyone!