Current situation with RAC European Break Down:
I currently have a camper van in a garage in Amsterdam demanding 700 euros for a slipped timing belt, the original call out was for a flat battery, the third party involved, as it seems RAC have contracts with any Tom Dick or Harry with a tow truck in Europe, decided to drag the van around in second gear to try and jump start it and then tow/drag it back to the garage, I lent the van to a friend, fully insured full RAC European break down cover, covered well we thought, RAC policy if it can be fixed within 24hrs and before departure date that is what happens, the garage say it is going to take more than 24hrs to fix needs a new timing belt called it a gear cable at first, put that down to translation, he gets a flight back, thinking the van is being transported back to the UK as per his policy, as previously stated the van was driving fine, stupidly he ran the main battery down school boy error, The garage are now saying it is due to a slipped timing belt, can be fixed in 24hrs, the RAC are basically wiping their hands of the problem, on their website it clearly states will pay 150 towards costs, reality, they don't and wont. I am currently waiting for a full diagnostic report as to how a flat battery turned into a timing belt issue. Granted the Complaints are now being helpful, after two days and numerous phone calls and a few yawns from customer services both here and Europe.
The camper had a new MOT the day it left for departure, it was due but ironically I just wanted to be sure, three day's previously, passed all emissions tests, a quote from another forum by a mechanic in regards to getting your vehicle ready for an MOT a slipped timing belt would fail the emissions test.
"So as long as your timing belt is in good condition (and diesel engine timing belts have to work at lower speeds, which should add to their longevity) then there shouldn't be anything to worry about in the MoT."
another quote from a Haynes Manual in regards to preparing your vehicle for an MOT
http://www.haynes.co.uk/webapp/wcs/s...atalogId=10001
"The only emission test applicable to Diesel engines is the measuring of exhaust smoke density. The test involves accelerating the engine several times to its maximum unloaded speed. Note: it is of the utmost importance that the engine timing belt is in good condition before the testis carried out.
The limits for Diesel engine exhaust smoke, introduced in September 1995 are:
Vehicles first used before 1st August 1979: Exempt from metered smoke testing, but must not emit "dense blue or clearly visible black smoke for a period of more than5 seconds at idle" or "dense blue or clearly visible black smoke during acceleration which would obscure the view of other road users".
Non-turbocharged vehicles first used after 1st August 1979: 2.5m-1
Turbocharged vehicles first used after 1st August 1979: 3.0m-1
Excessive smoke can be caused by a dirty air cleaner element. Otherwise, professional advice may be needed to find the cause."
note the upmost importance regarding the timing belt. So rather confusing how their diagnosis has pointed hem to the most expensive job, the maths don't add up.
The way this has been handled by the RAC leaves a lot to be desired and needless to say they don;t get my recommendation, just another big corporation who have got too big for their boots, get any tom dick or harry with a tow truck in Europe and offer breakdown cover over there, word of advice read your small print they know every loop hole to ruin your day.
I at this moment have a bag packed passport at my side looking for flights, have only just been informed.
The moral of the story is don't lend your friend your camper van, Don't get RAC cover in Europe, you can't trust who they are going to send out, ironically the reason you took cover with them in the first place.
I currently have a camper van in a garage in Amsterdam demanding 700 euros for a slipped timing belt, the original call out was for a flat battery, the third party involved, as it seems RAC have contracts with any Tom Dick or Harry with a tow truck in Europe, decided to drag the van around in second gear to try and jump start it and then tow/drag it back to the garage, I lent the van to a friend, fully insured full RAC European break down cover, covered well we thought, RAC policy if it can be fixed within 24hrs and before departure date that is what happens, the garage say it is going to take more than 24hrs to fix needs a new timing belt called it a gear cable at first, put that down to translation, he gets a flight back, thinking the van is being transported back to the UK as per his policy, as previously stated the van was driving fine, stupidly he ran the main battery down school boy error, The garage are now saying it is due to a slipped timing belt, can be fixed in 24hrs, the RAC are basically wiping their hands of the problem, on their website it clearly states will pay 150 towards costs, reality, they don't and wont. I am currently waiting for a full diagnostic report as to how a flat battery turned into a timing belt issue. Granted the Complaints are now being helpful, after two days and numerous phone calls and a few yawns from customer services both here and Europe.
The camper had a new MOT the day it left for departure, it was due but ironically I just wanted to be sure, three day's previously, passed all emissions tests, a quote from another forum by a mechanic in regards to getting your vehicle ready for an MOT a slipped timing belt would fail the emissions test.
"So as long as your timing belt is in good condition (and diesel engine timing belts have to work at lower speeds, which should add to their longevity) then there shouldn't be anything to worry about in the MoT."
another quote from a Haynes Manual in regards to preparing your vehicle for an MOT
http://www.haynes.co.uk/webapp/wcs/s...atalogId=10001
"The only emission test applicable to Diesel engines is the measuring of exhaust smoke density. The test involves accelerating the engine several times to its maximum unloaded speed. Note: it is of the utmost importance that the engine timing belt is in good condition before the testis carried out.
The limits for Diesel engine exhaust smoke, introduced in September 1995 are:
Vehicles first used before 1st August 1979: Exempt from metered smoke testing, but must not emit "dense blue or clearly visible black smoke for a period of more than5 seconds at idle" or "dense blue or clearly visible black smoke during acceleration which would obscure the view of other road users".
Non-turbocharged vehicles first used after 1st August 1979: 2.5m-1
Turbocharged vehicles first used after 1st August 1979: 3.0m-1
Excessive smoke can be caused by a dirty air cleaner element. Otherwise, professional advice may be needed to find the cause."
note the upmost importance regarding the timing belt. So rather confusing how their diagnosis has pointed hem to the most expensive job, the maths don't add up.
The way this has been handled by the RAC leaves a lot to be desired and needless to say they don;t get my recommendation, just another big corporation who have got too big for their boots, get any tom dick or harry with a tow truck in Europe and offer breakdown cover over there, word of advice read your small print they know every loop hole to ruin your day.
I at this moment have a bag packed passport at my side looking for flights, have only just been informed.
The moral of the story is don't lend your friend your camper van, Don't get RAC cover in Europe, you can't trust who they are going to send out, ironically the reason you took cover with them in the first place.