[s-cars] The dealer's great deal

[Bruce Mendel]

David,

"Even a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step."

It's a fair single step, the dealer's offer, but you need an expert opinion
as to ALL the possible problems that would be or could be caused by what
happened.

The dealer then needs to commit to pay for both that  thorough inspection
and repair for all those possibilities, as well as offer a warranty on any
items found to be damaged.

I think it's unrealistic to say "I want a new engine!" when diagnosis and
repair is possible. But:

1. They should not be allowed to do the inspection (or the repair, in my
opinion, but that's up to you). Their incentive in the inspection is to
minimize the work required, and therefore to minimize the warranty. But if
someone else does the inspection and they are required to do the repair and
warrant it, you can be sure they have incentive to do it right, as they will
have to do it again otherwise on their nickel.

2. Once the inspection and work required is agreed upon, they need to
warrant the parts/items repaired or replaced, and any subsequent failure of
other parts DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE WARRANTEED PARTS! That's critical, as
if they only warrant two valves, and one of those shoots through the block
(to take a ridiculous example), they could say, "Well, here's $250 for the
repair of that valve we warranted. The rest of the engine repair is up to
you."

I can see them not wanting to warrant the whole motor for unrelated
failures, but they need to warrant all repaired parts, and whatever failure
those warranted parts cause should they fail later on.

Good luck! Sounds like $250 for two hours of lawyer letter-writing to
negotiate the deal might be money well spent.

Bruce
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Molk" <rmolk at cox.net>
To: <s-car-list at audifans.com>
Sent: Monday, December 16, 2002 8:59 PM
Subject: [s-cars] The dealer's great deal


> 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)
>
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