Hello
I have just paid a very reputable MX5 specialist to renew my timing belt on my 1997 MX5.
I have a previous photo of my engine bay and have just compared every screw on the rocker/cam cover and every single one is in the exact same position as they are now. How is this possible if the garage claim they have replaced the belt?
Am I missing something or have I just been ripped off?
Intriguing. Not a job that can be done without removing the cam cover.
Why don’t you just pop back and ask them? A friendly smile and a genuinely curious attitude, and I’m sure they’ll explain.
They will have on record what make belt/parts (including part number) and the supplier.
Likewise, sure they wouldn’t mind showing you.
If they can’t then perhaps be very suspicious.
Ask to see the parts they took off just for peace of mind so you can see what sort of condition they were in.
That way it won’t get their back up.
Probably a bit late now, “sorry sir they were disposed of”. 
When you say that the bolts are in exactly the same position as they were, do you mean the position of each one in its hole or the orientation of the head of each bolt? If the former, it could be that the bolts were undone, then the head cover lifted off with the bolts still in place rather than removing each bolt from its hole.
I would be surprised to hear that a reputable MX-5 specialist has been purposefully deceitful. Maybe a genuine error of breakdown in communication but I’d speak to the company pleasently and give them the opportunity to investigate or explain.
I have spoken to the garage who just say it was done, I am convinced it was not.
If I can add picture I will show you each bolt before the supposed cam belt change and after. you will see that they are in the exact position, even the washers holding the brackets have not moved.
I am convinced that after fitting the cam cover back onto a rubber seal with sealant in some places the bolts would not line up so perfectly.
The car is being inspected next week by an engineer to determine what has or has not been done. I am going to get a written report and if I am advised by the engineer that I have been ripped off them I will be chasing my money back through the courts.
When this is resolved and proven that I have paid for work that has not been done (I have a receipt for cam belt replacement) then I will be letting everyone know who this garage is.
As it stands they will not answer my call and will not reply to my messages.
All very concerning. To play devils advocate, the bolts holding the clips that hold the rubber pipe don’t need disturbing for a cambelt change, the pipe can just be removed from the clips. The cam cover is actually bolted metal on metal the rubber gasket just fills the void, there are metal “inserts” in the cam cover that protrude through the gasket and contact the head. There is a (very slim?) chance that if the bolts are torqued correctly they could end up in the same orientation.
Very interested to learn what the independent report concludes. It will be disappointing if the outcome is that the work was not completed.
I think that is actually slimmer than a slim thing in reality ??
I know, I’m trying to be optimistic… And I’m genuinely surprised that a specialist would behave in such a manner as to not complete paid for work.
Thanks Robbie
I am very annoyed about this. I have used this garage for over 10 years and feel let down it.
In your opinion do you think that the cam cover has been taken off and put back?
Agreed, I would say impossible. Every one is the same.
I would be surprised to see all the bolt heads in exactly the same orientation if it had been taken off.
When I work on a car, I do like to put stuff back as it was so there is little evidence that work has taken place. Maybe this is an extreme example of that sort of behaviour. I’m being optimistic again here…
Here are some more images that show the bolts in the exact same orientation.
There is no way the mechanic would remember this much detail, I still maintain that I has paid ÂŁ455 and just got an MOT, furious
Seems odd yes… I can’t believe that the error wasn’t genuine in that the instruction to change the belt just didn’t get to the technician and they haven’t just said “Really sorry about that bring it back in and we’ll sort it.”
I spoke to the person who did the work I was given the invoice by the person who did the work I asked this person what condition the belt was in and I was told a bit worn out. There was no mis communication whatsoever.
How on earth can they say it’s a bit worn out……
I’ve removed belts that have been done on the time/mileage schedule and don’t look worn at all.
My daughter’s VW Polo was done on time and the mechanic showed me and it was still like new.
(Quite technical on that and need specific tools).
They get changed because the materials used deteriorate over time (not necessarily through the naked eye) and thus preventing a failure.
I very much doubt those bolts have been removed and put back in “exactly” the same place even by torquing them up.
More than happy to be proved wrong.
As said before keep your cool and speak with the owner and get them to provide the “evidence” it was done and your reasons for asking.
Spending more money on an independent report would perhaps be the very last resort.
Just an opinion and hopefully all will be sorted for you. 
Are there no witness marks / highlights on the bolts/ studs at all where it may show evidence of work been done ???
It does look suspicious 
Was it done in Doncaster area ???
