Mother F&*#er!

speedracer · Post by **speedracer** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 6:09 am

Yesterday afternoon while I was driving my car the engine just started clanging and making an obnoxious rocous. I was so freaked out that I had it towed to the nearest dearlership. Thanks to my warranty I get free road side assistance and a free rental car while it's in the shop.

Now here's my problem: I'm really frightened that it's either a bent valve, cracked piston, or the tranny. If it's any on these things, it's going to be cha ching expensive

and I'm worried they're going to void my warranty for anything I did to the car (see mods list) and charge me like $1500 for the repairs.

I'm waiting to hear from them today. Any advice on how to handle this situation. What if any are any my arguments for my mods not being my fault. Any help here would be appreciated since I'm getting married in July and I've already sunk $8000 into a ring and I'm also floating my own wedding. HELP!

Paul.

nodestiny · Post by **nodestiny** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 9:10 am

Sell the ring, repair car and get turbo kit.

Sorry, but i didnt spend nearly that much on our ring! GEES 8K!?! Im glad i didnt now that i think about how much money that really is...

Sorry i am of no help

CrashTeam · Post by **CrashTeam** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 12:49 pm

I would asume your engine warranty would be voided by the P&P job...

speedracer · Post by **speedracer** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 1:38 pm

Do you think they'd notice?

lambostealth · Post by **lambostealth** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 5:16 pm

I t will be fairly obvious to them that the cam, valves, and cam gear aren't stock, and if by some miracle they don't, and they give you a free engine and head, you are going to lose a lot of money that you paid to have the work done. If you had a shop do the work, I would wait for the dealerships answer and if it is something that shop did, make them pay for it.

rice_eater · Post by **rice_eater** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 10:40 pm

well, the damage you describe is highly unlikely...was there smoke out the tail pipe? did it sound more like a grinding noise?

from my recent experiences with the dealers, they will use any and every way to convince you that it's your fault, and on any claim, they'll try to blame it on you first to see if you'll bite and give up. IMO the programmable ignition you have will probably be their scapegoat claiming that maybe you set it wrong and made your car run super lean that that's why you melted your pistons or what not. my 3rd brake light broke off coz the tab broke when i closed the trunk at -30some after the car was out all night and at first they told me i smashed it in, but since there's no sign of damage except on the inside of the trunk i told them that's bs and they went back and replaced it. the way i'd go about it is let them figure out what the issue is, and when they call you to let you know dont take any decissions, just say oyu'll call them right back coz you got some shit to do and sit down and weigh your options. if its obvious they got you by the balls, then caugh up and save yourself the nerves, coz it's really hard to get anything out of them. if it's something like the tranny or clutch then they got nothing so gather your thoughts so you got your story all straight and not losing your thoughts in the heat of the argument, and call them back... dont take anything for granted though, their first instinct is to say no, no matter how blatant it is that it's their fault

speedracer · Post by **speedracer** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 8:33 am

Actually, there was no smoke coming from the tailpipe which was comforting. I remember that was the first place I looked after popping the hood.

I feel sort of stupid, but when they called me back they said it was actually some sort of plug that had popped or broken off around the exhaust which makes sense since I just had my header installed two days previous.

To be honest I never knew an exhaust leak could be that loud. In any rate I'm going to have to eat the cost of repair which comes to around $100. But that's ok bc my warranty deductable is $100.

But you know I'll be taking the bill to the muffler shop that did the installation!

I swear the noise sounded like metal on metal, but I guess my experience in diagnosising is lacking, I've just been focused on making the car go faster. Thanks everyone for the replies and advice.

I still can't believe that sound was an exhaust leak, but I am relieved it is.

LCPLPunk · Post by **LCPLPunk** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 8:48 am

i'm confused..$8,000 on a ring?? And then worrying about a $1500 estimate to get the car repaired? Sell the ring, pay for repairs, have $6500 left over and go buy a $6500 ring. OR, buy a 1,000 ring and have $5500 to use for a turbo.

speedracer · Post by **speedracer** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 9:16 am

$8000 on a ring = student loans

I figured even when I graduate and start making decent living I still wouln't have the opportunity to buy Julie such a nice ring. Financing it would be riciculous finace charges. Student loans are only like 5%.

I have been tempted to use student loans for the turbo, but chics just don't understand things like we do.

LCPLPunk · Post by **LCPLPunk** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 9:34 am

Why does she have to have such a NICE ring? Wouldn't that money be better spent somewhere else? I just got engaged last year and me and my fiancee decided that we'd get a cheap engagement ring, and save the money for a house/honeymoon/medical bill/turbo.. (did I say turbo?, jk)

We also figured that at the money we are making now, our wedding ring doesn't have to be the most extravagent or nice ring out there. In fact, my grandmother is going to give us a set of rings. They aren't the best looking of rings by far, but they are free, and whatever we would have spent on rings can go to the more important things, like a emergency money fund (like when the car needs fixin). All in all, we know that how much we spend on a ring really doesn't matter, money doesn't buy love.

Now i'm not trying to reign on your parade man, but be smart with your money, u have it one day and then the next it's gone, and you'll wonder how the heck you got there.

rice_eater · Post by **rice_eater** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 11:40 am

speedracer wrote: I still can't believe that sound was an exhaust leak, but I am relieved it is.

haha, good shit man good shit

speedracer · Post by **speedracer** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 1:50 pm

Dude, your just jelous.

I spent alot of money on my finacee's ring, no regrets.

LCPLPunk · Post by **LCPLPunk** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 2:14 pm

Not really, i don't have a $8,000 student loan to pay off.

speedracer · Post by **speedracer** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 5:46 pm

I thought this post was about my car?

LCPLPunk · Post by **LCPLPunk** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 5:49 pm

was it? sorry.

any updates?

speedracer · Post by **speedracer** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 6:05 pm

Yeah, actually the whole thing was a plug that popped off where an O2 sensor was supposed to go. All in all it only cost $70. I still can't believe an exhaust leak can sound like that.

Anyway I'm glad it's all over. I over reacted probably because I have finals this week.

Thanks everyone. Paul.

LCPLPunk · Post by **LCPLPunk** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 6:06 pm

Glad to hear it, i have 3 final exams tomorrow, then it's done!