One of the problems I see is everyone jumping to the conclusion that the current problem is the result of driving without oil some 10 months prior. Even a lawyer with an internet diploma could poke holes in that pretty easily. First, you have to prove the issue is the result of their negligence. That is going to take some investment on your part. Then you have to prove you NEED a different engine. I say different because you’re only entitled to be put back to the place you were at prior to the event that caused the damage. That might be a used engine or maybe a rebuild. Unlikely a new engine would be provided unless you payed a portion.
And I certainly hope you didn’t sign any waiver of rights to get their prior payments cause then you’re SOL.
Not quite everyone. In my first post I suggested hitting an AutoZone up and getting the codes pulled. The rough running may be nothing more serious than a bad plug wire.
My personal opinion though is that the engine became damaged goods when the oil light came on. It only worsened because the OP continued on until it was clattering, or knocking as the case may be but the damage was already done. It’s just a matter of degree.
The facility will obviously try to brush the OP as “no damage done” and one has to wonder if a can of Motor Honey might have been added to get them on down the road with noises.
And I agree with TwinTurbo. If the OP signed anything the shop is off the hook. One would think if they paid for the tow, hotel, etc. then they’re going to want something in return - a signed disclaimer.
After reading this whole post I never heard of you the owner signing off on the oil that it was full after the service. Was it a drop off situation? Did you see the work done? I work at an oil change place where I’ve been there for 5 years and I run a service center. There’s 2 things that we live and die by: one is to check for oil pressure and leaks which takes at most 30 seconds, and two is showing the customer the new oil on the full mark and having them initial off on it saying they seen it on the full mark. In my experiences if any filter on any given engine was double gasketted, that engine would leak right then and there. Then again I’ve also seen maybe 2 engines come in with a double gasket and not leak which is extremely rare. I persnoally own a 98 Honda Civic HX coupe which is a great car but since your car holds it’s value, I would consider using this car as trade bait for another. Alot of dealerships really don’t verify a vehicles mechanicals hence why they lowball everyone on a trade. Sometimes you’re better off moving on than remebering what happend that very night. Hope things work out, Steve
Oops, sorry, I shouldn’t have said everyone. I agree with you. I think the hardest part is proving the need for a new or rebuilt engine. Until the engine is torn down, it will be difficult to prove the extent of the damage and even then, to attribute it to the prior event given the elapsed time. If it’s only making noise but appears to run OK, that makes it even tougher to argue the case. It’s hard to know exactly how it’s running because the description is- it runs like a lawnmower. My lawnmowers run great!
But first they need to rule out other causes for the problem.
I would like to make a point about Carbondale. Yes, the city was full of extremely nice, helpful people. The issue was not Carbondale the city, rather the fact that I was 15 miles outside Carbondale on a stretch of highway with no light, a narrow shoulder, lots of semi-traffic, and little else. If you think that women aren’t victimized in rural areas, and that the only potential threat to safety is “urban gang activity” then you have never considered safety from a woman’s perspective. A few years ago, an old friend of mine was killed off I-80 when she was pulled over on the side of the road, because a car in the traffic lane hit the parked car on the shoulder and knocked it into her. Stopping on the freeway is dangerous.
I think I mentioned in a previous post that I would hardly expect a new engine. My car has 100K miles. I would expect only a used one, if indeed the damage was caused by the problem.
The lube place where I had the work done did not have me sign off on the oil level. I was in the lobby while they did the work but I did not observe it personally. The dealership in Carbondale determined the double gasket, and in fact they gave me the filter with the two gaskets (I still have it in my trunk). I did NOT sign anything when they reimbursed me for the other costs.
The car has begun sounding whiny and tinny at higher RPMs just before I shift gears. I can tell from the feel that it is laboring at higher RPMs. By higher RPMs, I don’t mean like 5 or 6 thousand, I mean around 3, before it is time to shift. I don’t really know how to explain it better than that.
