The problem isn't how to get Toyota to pay for something you caused. The problem is a lack of integrity on the part of someone that would cause damage to an engine via a modification and then lie to Toyota in an attempt to get free repairs for an issue clearly not covered under warranty.

We always gripe and complain when a company or individual treats us in an unethical manner, but as long as it is happening to someone else so many of us just say ok, good luck. Ah well, I guess this isn't a good board for the discussion of ethics and I'll try to forget about this thread the next time I think Toyota is charging me too much for a repair that isn't covered under warranty.

For what it's worth, tell them the truth and see how much this is going to cost you. Who knows, maybe they will be so thrilled with your honesty, they won't add the total right.

 

I would have to agree with the above on this one. just be honest about it. I always found that they are very nice to you when you are honest. Because they can tell if you did NOS. And if they catch you in that lie they might add on a couple extra charges in the diagnostics or something. But if you are honest they might just "forget" that they fixed a few of your things.

I used to be a mechanic and it really torqued me when someone lied to me because it is rather easy to tell who lies and abuses their cars. Just a warning.

 

Okay, I just have to know. What did your nitrous-boosted xB run in the quarter mile? I mean, my gut feeling on it is that nitrous would be more for bragging rights than any substantial performance gain.

And as long as the rev limiter was working I don't see how nitrous would hurt it - worst that would happen is that it runs lean. But that can't lead to mechanical damage unless you were racing it a lot more than you said you were.

 

i am just trying to see if it will be fixable. if i have to pay for it, then i will. from what i have heard, using 15lbs wouldnt be detectable. could you tell me how you would tell that i used nitrous on the motor? i signed to pay $950 for the diagnostic if they don't warranty it. i am prepared for the worst already.

 

i got a substantial gain from it. i would guestimate around 150-160whp? hopefully at least. i ran a 16.0 my first time at the track. i wasnt launching well but my trap speed was 89mph, which is good for a high 15 second run. my rev limiter was working, and i didnt hit it. and i didnt run it more than i said. i went through 15lbs of nitrous at a 75hp shot. never running it for more than around 13-14 seconds. (i know, its still a lot). i don't agree with the statement that running lean cannot lead to mechanical damage. running lean causes detonation. ask anyone running a FI car if they would run it lean, better to run a little rich

 

Why buy a Scion and want to run Nitrous, put a Super charger,etc???????>....Cheez, man, these things are low power..Period. What's next, swap out the engine with a V8 450 HP engine? You should go out and get the new SHELBY Mustang or something in that range...

 

The garage I worked at didn't have the most up to date equipment when I worked there and basically it would show as a spike in power in the rpms or temp of the motor when we hooked it up to the computer. And if you don't have a super charger or turbo on the motor it leaves basically one thing and that is NOS or something like it. I have been to up to date garges and they can tell if you fastened your seat belt or not and at what times. I would imagine that toyota would have all up to date equipment but that doesn't mean that they know how to work it. So you might get lucky. just don't do something like that again.

 

why do people buy crx's and race them. 92 stock crank hp. thats 16 less than ours. or a civic with 112 crank hp. they get the D series motors running 11's. and yes, i do plan on swapping. so what. its called a hobby man, i didnt buy this car for fuel economy or watever, i wanted a car to play with. its all in fun, don't get this whole thing started on how power is stupid...if u wanna talk that, theres a whole other thread bout it. if experimentation never happened, there wouldnt be 500whp street civics. think about it.

 

well...like you said..it would show as a spike in power. that can lead to assumptions of forced induction. the problem is if they can prove it. if they cannot, they will have to warranty it. or else u have a lawsuit. i don't want to go through that, but this is like an experiment for me to see if they can figure it out. and if it gets fixed...then i got lucky. and no, i wont do that again. ive been telling people for like 5 months not to use that much nitrous...hopefully people are listening

 

crx's and civics are light weight. its all power to weight ratio is why people got into the import scene with making these things fast in the first place. you do realize your driving a brick right? you know like almost zero aerodynamics and since the wheel base is super thin you can't just go out and road race the thing cause it'll roll. its too top heavy. being original is cool, but trying to do this....eh...i dunno man, kinda seems like a waste. i'm not trying to give you a hard time about this but i wouldn't try doing this again with your car or anything like that and then try to see if you can warranty it again. Be careful next time in your decisions. Hope everything works out.

-X

 

I meant the worst that would happen in an xB's engine. The computer chip will (or at least, *should*) retard the timing enough to prevent detonation. Maybe the fact that it had to do that would show up when they query it, and it could be that's what tips off the shop about using nitrous.

If you were running nitrous without an upgrade to the fuel pump you're likely running lean anyhow. And if you're taking out the nitrous and the fuel pump just to pull one over on the dealer you've got too much spare time on your hands for a college student.

 

dude...a crx is real light weight...but a civic is not much lighter than a scion. its only about 150-200lbs lighter depending on the body style. even the lightest which is the vx model is 2200lbs. we weight in at 2400, 2450 with me in it. i weighed in at the track. actually..the center of gravity is not that high, and u can drive it hard. i honestly wasnt even trying to be original, many people had nitrous on before me, i wanted to experiment. and i did. but its all good. we'll see how it goes

 

i agree with you man...it is a hobbie...and i would like to make this box faster...and i am plannin on a motor swap in the future...i used to have a teg and i swapped out the motor...so i mean...its different for other people...you see it one way and they see it the other way...i dont wanna be mean but...i guess it just shows how shallow people can get...why not see it from this guy's point of view...i think he is worried enough already...and for us to come down on him...i say bleh ....i aint pointin fingers...so dude...more power to you...hope you get it under waranty...and if you dont go get a new motor...i say the gt-s motor or if you wanna go big 3sgte

 

thanks man, i appreciate it

 

good news. the car is gonna be fixed. its gonna take like 2 weeks though

 

thats awesome! did they ask questions at all?

 

yes, they kept asking if i used anything, saying that it doesnt matter. but i said no. so its resolved, they are gonna warranty it. now to get it out of the shop so i can get the wheels off it and ship them out

 

well after about 2 weeks in the shop, the car is out and running again. i cant say how well it runs, but my best friend who picked it up to me said its running well. they warrantied me for a new shortblock. thanks to everyone who supported me. and take this lesson from me...dont use so much nitrous