Overheated Engine

[buckstr]

Some good points, and thanks. The engine definitely was not overheated as a direct result of the accident, because it was shut down immediately. Only after 6 weeks (!) at the body shop, when they needed to get the car across town, did they fire it up and drive it. It is inconceivable that, with front end damage, they never bothered to check the integrity of the radiator, but stupidity is everywhere. I seriously doubt whether the insurance company is going to be willing to pay any costs associated with the engine itself; their position certainly will be that any damage to the engine is a result of the shop's negligence in not checking out the cooling system.

I wonder if Porsche would give me full trade-in value on the vehicle knowing the history of the engine. If not, they would be admitting there is potential for engine damage.

[MNBoxster]

Originally Posted by buckstr

Some good points, and thanks. The engine definitely was not overheated as a direct result of the accident, because it was shut down immediately. Only after 6 weeks (!) at the body shop, when they needed to get the car across town, did they fire it up and drive it. It is inconceivable that, with front end damage, they never bothered to check the integrity of the radiator, but stupidity is everywhere. I seriously doubt whether the insurance company is going to be willing to pay any costs associated with the engine itself; their position certainly will be that any damage to the engine is a result of the shop's negligence in not checking out the cooling system.

I wonder if Porsche would give me full trade-in value on the vehicle knowing the history of the engine. If not, they would be admitting there is potential for engine damage.

Hi,

Why do you think there's a problem with the engine? Were you in the car when it was driven across town? The Idiot Light may never have come on or if it did, maybe for only part of the trip. I can't imagine any competent shop knowingly driving a car they knew was overheating.

But, as Sammy and I have said, you probably didn't incur any permanent or significant damage. If the car's running OK, let it go. Don't obsess over every little thing which may pop up in the future and try to draw a link between it and this incident, that'll only spoil your ownership experience needlessly. Good Luck...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[buckstr]

Talked to the service manager at Porsche today - engine running on 4.5 cylinders, spitting oil everywhere, block is black instead of metal-colored, and cranks slowly (as though a low battery, even though it's OK). In other words, the engine is toast. The service manager believes a new engine is the only solution, so it sounds like I'll come out of this OK.

Thanks to everyone for your comments.

Buckstr

[jeffsquire]

Originally Posted by buckstr

Talked to the service manager at Porsche today - engine running on 4.5 cylinders, spitting oil everywhere, block is black instead of metal-colored, and cranks slowly (as though a low battery, even though it's OK). In other words, the engine is toast. The service manager believes a new engine is the only solution, so it sounds like I'll come out of this OK.

Thanks to everyone for your comments.

Buckstr

____________________

Houston we have a problem. But who is going to pay for it?

[buckstr]

NOT ME! It will either be the insurance company for the party who caused the accident (highly unlikely) or the body shop to whom the Porsche dealer subcontracted the collision work. Since the body shop failed to notice or check for a leak in the radiator before driving the car, I think they're going to be writing a big check to my Porsche dealer. Fortunately, the service manager there seems to be on my side.

buckstr

[MNBoxster]

Originally Posted by buckstr

NOT ME! It will either be the insurance company for the party who caused the accident (highly unlikely) or the body shop to whom the Porsche dealer subcontracted the collision work. Since the body shop failed to notice or check for a leak in the radiator before driving the car, I think they're going to be writing a big check to my Porsche dealer. Fortunately, the service manager there seems to be on my side.

buckstr

Hi,

Well, I'm sorry for the damage, but getting a new engine is a plus. Just make sure to stick to your guns and don't settle for depreciated value or partial payment for the new engine from them.

If they try that, point out to the Dealer their 3rd Party Liability in that they farmed out the work. This sort of thing happened to me when replacing the windshield in my Esprit - the local Lotus Dealer recommended the Shop which botched the work. In the end, the Dealer had to Ante up some of the $2200 cost of doing the work right, didn't cost me a thing. Good Luck...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99