WHATEVER YOU DO.

Demand that you get all their reasoning in writing. Tell them you want the details of why this is not covered by warranty on dealer header paper signed by whoever has authority.

Then agree to their terms if that's what you want.

The second you get the car, you start calling and going ballistic, call the BBB, call toyota, call scion, call lawyers, call the press, call anyone and everyone.

Make sure Toyota is aware that the only way you will stop is if they pay you back the money you are owed.

 

My intentions exactly.. I cant risk 2K for 7K.. feel me?

 

Stu, you are going through what MANY Celica owners went through with their cars when it came to blown trannys and spun rod bearings. The dealerships treated them the same way but the only way they won was by calling and bothering the crap out of Toyota and the dealerships management.

"Now as for the flakes in the intake, please, any SMART, TRAINED mechanic knows no flakes can travel from the intake down into the oil pan. "

So the vaccuum line that runs from the intake tube to the valve cover couldnt suck flakes in there? Or how about this idea, the flakes dont go down that line, they travel through the intake manifold, enter the cylinder, score the cylinder wall then make it by the rings into the pan.... I think you should keep studying.

 

The mechanics think that is what happend... I just have no knowledge of this type of stuff.. a lot of what I do is based off peoples opinions.. but when it boils down to it.. I have to look at my financial standpoint. I dont have 7K.. I have 2K.. I have to call it quits at some point.. unless I know for a fact I would win this out.. right now at this moment.. they have me.

 

Wouldn't the flakes melt?

 

Don't pay anything unless they give you a written reason why you are paying, tell them your wife is freaking out and you need something on paper to show her.

Once you have that and have paid you have something you can come back to and argue about.

Try to get them to put something like: "Not the direct cause of the issue, but neglgent so the warranty is void"

If you can get that or something like that in writting, once you have the work done, you should have no issue getting Toyo to flip it as the MM act is squarly behind you.

 

What about getting a metalurgist to analize the flakes to see if it's even the same metal as the intake. It would be stupid to say steel flakes came from an aluminum intake. One easy way is to use a magnet, aluminum isn't magnetic. If the flakes can be picked up by a magnet then it's obvious the flakes are steel and most likely came from inside the engine from lack of oil as previously stated.

 

^^the engine is aluminum

 

Its all easier said than done.. trust me.. I am trying my best to get what I can..

 

Auctally being the flakes are aluminum, they would melt instantly once inside the cylinder. Aluminum is a soft metal and doesnt take a lot of heat to make it a liquid.

I think you should read up on that.

I've been telling my instructor everything that has been happening, and I am relaying everything that he is saying, and also what our books are saying. He simply says there was no oil. Now if you want to argue what he says, he's been teaching for 25 yrs at my school. We are providing Stu with as much information as we can b/c like he said he is unfamiliar with this stuff. Maybe I should keep studying, then once I graduate we'll see where I end up, probably at your dealership working on your car

Stu goodluck man.

 

Yeah.. thanks.. either way... I gotta get "betsy" back on 4 wheels. I am working something out with WR.. we will see.

 

betsy

 

 

Here is my estimate:

Required Repair/Replacement:
-Tear engine down for noise $800.00
-Recommend short block replacement and clean metal out of head $3,115.57(block), $282.64(overhaul gkt set)

Labor from factory flat rate manual $2,221.55
28.3 hours overhaul time $15.70
0.2 hours with power steering $7.85
0.1 hours with AC
1.5 hours with cleaning
Labor rate $78.50 per hour

Total Labor $2,362.85
Total Parts $3,398.21
Shop Supplies $25.00
Md Tax $171.16
Total $5,957.22

Notes: Found large metal particles in aftermarket intake tube, causing scratches and grooves in cylinder walls due to metal being drawn into cylinders through intake system, also found #4 rod brg severly worn & crankshaft scored, other brgs showing wear, but not as severe

Note: Engine warranty has been voided due to metal contamination.

FYI.. opinions are welcome.

 

well, its in writing now.... so if anything else should happen to this engine you'll have to pay for it now. i would rethink boosting, you dont want to risk damaging the engine again

i think when this happened to me my total was over $6,000 lol.

no where on the bill does it say what total is covered under warranty...i think you said they are covering parts? but usually that would be noted

 

Yeah.. true.. I dont think that should matter right now.. they are going to be paying for parts..

No turbo for Gotti™.. maybe buddyclub2 kit, cf hood, indash

 

well at least everything is settled.

time for ol betsy to get work done for the 2006 Car Show Season!

 

Yep.. oh well.

 

I am working with Ray Fong now setting up a compensation agreement. I will keep you all up to date. I am glad at least Weapon R can help, they are greatly appreciated in this matter. My respect goes out to Ray Fong, their management, and Weapon R. Good people.

 

I've been reading this off and on. I know that it is pretty much settled as far as you getting the car fixed. It seems that you have a plan.
As far as the 'flakes' melting...that doesn't happen. I think what has happened is the flakes from the intake caused scoring in the cylinders. YES, soft a$$ed aluminum flakes can reak TOTAL havok on a baby-butt smooth cylinder wall! The scoring in the cylinders caused even more shavings that COULD get past the rings or already are past the rings. The shavings then caused the lack of oiling on the bearings/rod journals.
Did you change the oil after the noise started? And if so, no techs said the oil looked funny as in metallic looking or black with 'sparklies' in it? I always try to ask how it looks so I know whether to bring it in sooner or not.

Stu, this theory is extremely hard to prove, but it is just as hard to prove otherwise. Good luck with it!

atodak...yes the engine is aluminum, but the cylinders are not. The crank is not, The rods are not.

I think by anylizing the metals shavings, you are going to come up with a little of everything...bearing material, cylinder material, crank material, piston material(aluminum), and maybe intake material(aluminum). It would be inconclusive.

Once again, good luck with it, Stu!