[Markie76]

UPDATE:

My cousin has been working and I haven't had a chance to see him and carry out the immobiliser tests as suggested.

However, he called me last night and told me he had refitted the immobiliser/ecu box and got the RAC to tow him to a local independant garage which had done computer diags for him before.

They initially told him some component on the fuel circuit or pump/injectors had gone and it would cost £300 + VAT to replace and have the car running again. I think he agreed to this.

The next day they phoned him back and said they had fitted the new component but the car wasn't running and now they suspect a timing belt problem. He's not engine savvy but from his explanation they are suggesting the timing belt is either the wrong one or fitted incorrectly - misaligned and their justification so far seems to be based on not finding a part number on the belt. They now say they suspect bent valves and damaged pistons and will need to dismantle the engine, inspect and replace them at a cost of £1500. I know the timing belt was replaced within the last 12 months and if it is an aftermarket part where the markings have come off this is irrelevant as the car worked fine for months after and its not that the belt has now snapped. If it had been fitted a couple of teeth out then he would have known as you would expect tell-tale signs.

I think they are taking him for a ride. He can't afford to spend (it makes no sense) £1.5k on a car that was worth £3k.

Do you know if the RX4 2.0 diesel is a non-contact engine?

I have advised him to tell the garage that as they have failed to get the car running with their initial £300 fix, they should remove the new component, return the car and he will pay the diagnostics fee, nothing more.

Is this reasonable?

I must appologise on my cousins behalf as I wasn't expecting him to just go ahead and do this.

Thanks,

Mark.