[s-cars] The dealer's great deal

[David Molk]

Hello all:
I don't know how sick of this you all are, but I, of course, find it
entertaining in a bizarre way, like picking off a thick scab a crackle
at a time. Let me know when you have had enough.

First, thank you all again for your help in this matter. As you know, I
took my wife's 95 S6 in perfect running condition in to the local Audi
Dealership for routine service a month ago and agreed to the suggested
timing belt change at 87000 miles. After they cut the timing belt off,
then loosened the crank pulley, then replaced all and started it up,
they thought is ran rough and noisy. When the head was pulled, two
grossly bent valves were obvious in cylinder four where the piston
smashed them since the valve timing was off. After talking to lawyers
and the DMV complaint department, I finally got in writing today what
Hoffman's offer is:

"Magnaflux the cylinder head to check for cracks (performed at machine
shop)
check cylinder head for flatness (performed at machine shop)
Replace two bent valves at the number four cylinder
Replace all valve stem seals
Cut the valve seats
Reassemble and install cylinder head

Our normal warranty is twelve months or twelve thousand miles, which
ever comes first. Hoffman Audi is willing to warranty the cylinder head
for any failure due to metal fatigue relating to the two bent valves at
the number four cylinder for as long as you own the car."

What do you guys think? I better pray the number three valves don't
fail and aren't bent, as they are not covered. Sure hope the piston
that smashed the valves and has the score mark on it doesn't fail --it
is not covered, is it? We all know if you smash the valves, it has no
effect on the valve guides; that must be why they aren't covered
either. In fact, if it isn't metal fatigue from the two valves in
cylinder four, it isn't covered.

The DMV says after I got this in writing, I can tow the car to another
expert (?dealer?) and get his estimate of repair, which he must be
willing to testify to as an expert. Then the DMV can go after the
dealer for breaking the truth in repair laws, if it can be proven that
they are not planning an adequate repair.

Let me know when you have had enough! Actually, I kind of get the
feeling the dealer is saying the same thing to me.

Yours,
Rich Molk
Disaffected owner of a few cars,
Audi S6 '95
Audi A6 '98
Sunbeam tiger '67 (not the snow car)
Diesel ford pickup with plow and sander (the daily ride)