Ughh, Toyota dealership destroyed my engine after timing belt replacement
10-31-11, 03:17 PM
#62
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Update 10/31: Called the dealer for an update. The insurance company came out on Friday and took a look, and confirmed engine replacement is the way to go. That same day (after my last update), I reiterated to the dealer that I want a new engine, not a salvage pull or other source. They acknowledged and said they'd do what they could.
Today the dealer submitted paperwork to the insurance company with cost differences for a new engine versus used. They told me that it was approximately a $12k difference, and that there wasn't much availability for the long block portion. (Later I called an unrelated Lexus dealer and the parts guy there confirmed that there was no long block available in all of the U.S., but that the short block was still able to be ordered.)
The Toyota dealer guy says that they're waiting to hear back from insurance on their course of action; if they go the used route, they'll most likely be installing an engine with 80k miles (mine had 126k). I advised that if we were forced to go the used route (not optimal), that I needed to see a VIN search of a proper service/maintenance/physical non-flood/crash history, and that I'd want a new timing belt installed right away if it hadn't already been done. I also requested that they install new engine mounts as part of the work, regardless of the engine.
The service manager says that any replacement engine would come with a 12 month parts and labor warranty...I think I might ask for more time.
So, still in progress at this point...thanks for all of the advice so far.
Today the dealer submitted paperwork to the insurance company with cost differences for a new engine versus used. They told me that it was approximately a $12k difference, and that there wasn't much availability for the long block portion. (Later I called an unrelated Lexus dealer and the parts guy there confirmed that there was no long block available in all of the U.S., but that the short block was still able to be ordered.)
The Toyota dealer guy says that they're waiting to hear back from insurance on their course of action; if they go the used route, they'll most likely be installing an engine with 80k miles (mine had 126k). I advised that if we were forced to go the used route (not optimal), that I needed to see a VIN search of a proper service/maintenance/physical non-flood/crash history, and that I'd want a new timing belt installed right away if it hadn't already been done. I also requested that they install new engine mounts as part of the work, regardless of the engine.
The service manager says that any replacement engine would come with a 12 month parts and labor warranty...I think I might ask for more time.
So, still in progress at this point...thanks for all of the advice so far.
Last edited by BiGRiGNiG; 10-31-11 at 03:20 PM.
!!!!
11-01-11, 08:18 AM
#65
did you even bother contacting corporate? I feel the short end of the stick coming. And how the hell are they coming with a 12k diff. If they get a used engine, don't they have to rebuild it? Dude, you are going to get the short end of the stick. Call corp and start complaining.
11-01-11, 02:05 PM
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Called Toyota customer care (800-331-4331), on hold for approx 15 minutes...gave up and called Lexus.
Called Lexus corporate customer relations (800-255-3987) - nicest rep I've ever spoken on the phone with - and she answered right away. Unfortunately, she thought Toyota would be best to handle it since it was a Toyota dealership. She tried to get one on the phone but was on hold forever. I had to get back to work, so I had to drop. I'll try calling them again later on tonight.
Called Lexus corporate customer relations (800-255-3987) - nicest rep I've ever spoken on the phone with - and she answered right away. Unfortunately, she thought Toyota would be best to handle it since it was a Toyota dealership. She tried to get one on the phone but was on hold forever. I had to get back to work, so I had to drop. I'll try calling them again later on tonight.
11-01-11, 03:50 PM
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Got ahold of Toyota Customer Relations. The agent opened a case and advised that he believed that the dealership is following proper protocol thus far and that his team doesn't directly have the authority over the insurance company on whether they can force a new engine versus one pulled from a car. He is going to escalate the case to the customer service manager/advocate at the dealership. One of the things I requested on this call is daily updates, which I've requested to the dealership on every interaction we've had thus far, but they haven't followed through. Even email would be fine; they have my email address.
So, no instant success from working with corporate, but perhaps the pressure coming down on on the dealership from above will make things better in the end.
So, no instant success from working with corporate, but perhaps the pressure coming down on on the dealership from above will make things better in the end.
11-01-11, 05:51 PM
#71
Let me throw this out there.
Technically, your cars value will be negatively affected by this incident. The insurance company has to indemnify you. This means they need to compensate you for any value lost because the car no longer has the original motor and has a "salvaged" replacement.
Technically, your cars value will be negatively affected by this incident. The insurance company has to indemnify you. This means they need to compensate you for any value lost because the car no longer has the original motor and has a "salvaged" replacement.
11-01-11, 09:01 PM
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Let me throw this out there.
The insurance company will screw you regardless. If they think it is cheaper to just go ahead and total your vehicle if the labor + parts exceeds the value, then they will. It will be whichever method requires them to cut the smallest check. Boom.
The insurance company will screw you regardless. If they think it is cheaper to just go ahead and total your vehicle if the labor + parts exceeds the value, then they will. It will be whichever method requires them to cut the smallest check. Boom.
Last edited by Protagnist; 11-01-11 at 09:04 PM.
11-03-11, 09:26 AM
#73
where do you guys get your info from, this is hilarious...
i am a tech and work for a dealer.. if any customer brought there car in out of warr. had cp work done and we blew the engine you do not get a new engine no matter how much you say you want it. at the end of the day the car has ver 100k miles, doesn't matter what service records and what has and hasn't been performed.. it doesn't affect your insurance in any way. the dealer will give you 12 months unlimited milage warr.. thas the best your gunna get esp with your milage.
i am a tech and work for a dealer.. if any customer brought there car in out of warr. had cp work done and we blew the engine you do not get a new engine no matter how much you say you want it. at the end of the day the car has ver 100k miles, doesn't matter what service records and what has and hasn't been performed.. it doesn't affect your insurance in any way. the dealer will give you 12 months unlimited milage warr.. thas the best your gunna get esp with your milage.
11-03-11, 12:46 PM
#74
Starting to wonder if this is worse than my brother in law taking his Toy pickup to a Toy dealer and they put on the lift and it fell off and totaled it. He drives a Honda now.
He had to go round and round with the dealer's insurance company. I don't think it took this long, but I could be wrong too.
He had to go round and round with the dealer's insurance company. I don't think it took this long, but I could be wrong too.
11-03-11, 01:20 PM
#75
where do you guys get your info from, this is hilarious...
i am a tech and work for a dealer.. if any customer brought there car in out of warr. had cp work done and we blew the engine you do not get a new engine no matter how much you say you want it. at the end of the day the car has ver 100k miles, doesn't matter what service records and what has and hasn't been performed.. it doesn't affect your insurance in any way. the dealer will give you 12 months unlimited milage warr.. thas the best your gunna get esp with your milage.
i am a tech and work for a dealer.. if any customer brought there car in out of warr. had cp work done and we blew the engine you do not get a new engine no matter how much you say you want it. at the end of the day the car has ver 100k miles, doesn't matter what service records and what has and hasn't been performed.. it doesn't affect your insurance in any way. the dealer will give you 12 months unlimited milage warr.. thas the best your gunna get esp with your milage.