So i went to pick up my contacts and stopped by my cousins before I went to class. I left a little early and when I started up my Mini it sounded good! I put it in gear and pressed on the gas and it took off slow. So first thought was that I had it in 3rd. Made sure I put it in 1st gear and started to go. I was going really slow. Wouldn't go pass 2K rpm and topped out at 12mph! I pulled over to the side of the road, and called my dad to meet me and look at my car. I slowly made my way to the closest parking lot and waited for him. When I came parked it smelled horrible and smoke was coming out of the engine! When my dad showed up, popped the hood and started it up. Right when I started it, it started to smoke and the engine was rocking back in forth. Shut it off immediately, the serpentine belt is hanging off. So had it towed to import specialist, a car shop which they are incredible! Got a call about a couple hours later and......... The cam pulley broke! Literally snapped in two pieces! Which this repair calls for 3 hours of labor. No car for the weekend, got to miss tonights car show, don't get to go to the drags tomorrow night and have to pay out of my *** to get it fixed.

 

Not the crank pulley? There is no external cam pulley driven by that belt. If it is the crank pulley, go for the ATI. You won’t be sorry.

///Rich

 

I thought they said that the cam pulley broke, I might of miss heard them. They already ordered the part though

 

Three hours of labor? Someone's boat payment must be late. This job should take no more than one hour tops with the proper tools that includes changing he crank seal.

 

I was thinking that the labor was to long. But my dad is friends with the owner and hopefully he can get them make it right.

 

Oh, the joys of owning a car. Sorry to hear about your MINI's troubles RedSoxR53. Regarding labor time, I've been given quotes before for estimated labor times. Sometimes they pad the estimate just in case they run into something unforeseen. Hopefully this is the case or as Nicefeet says, their boat payment is overdue.

 

Even with the proper tool I had a hell of a time getting mine off. Either way probably a 2 hour job max.

 

1.8hr is replacement time out of ALLDATA, a widely used labor time guide. If he is charging 1.2 hours to diagnose a crank pulley he's robbing you.

 

Can any of these estimates be contested at all? Probably not since you're at their mercy. Think about it?

I just hate learning stories like this…

Once, it felt like I paid a tech's week's salary based on a "estimate". Regardless if it's an indy or at the dealership. Much worst at the dealership of course.

 

Sorry, but that hardly qualifies as the worst day ever...

 

richardsperry: a lot more **** happened that day. Trust me, it was... After I posted this a family member found out that they have lung cancer! And something else I dont wanna talk about. If you had a worse day, I truly am sorry. Plus this beats the day I found out that I had epilepsie!

 

This is not the worst day ever. It is just a car, it will be fixed & all will be good again. This applies to your car, not your family member.

I hope your family member has a good outcome with their cancer.