[s-cars] The dealer's great deal

[Mark Strangways]

Very nice trick Igor.
There is a lot to be said about simple but quite functional tests like this.
It goes to show there can be alot of gains to be had by being thourough and
doing a complete job. It's a pity there aren't more repair shops that
understand this kinda of mantality.
As for the dealer, I would also insist they check each and every valve out
of the head.
Perhaps your best course of action is to fix the car using your own
resources and a shop you feel is competant.
Oh course, get legal advice first as to due dilligence type of stuff. Make
sure you don't give them an out.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Igor Kessel" <igor at s-cars.org>
To: "David Molk" <rmolk at cox.net>
Cc: <s-car-list at audifans.com>
Sent: Tuesday, December 17, 2002 9:46 AM
Subject: Re: [s-cars] The dealer's great deal


> David Molk wrote:
> >
> > 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)
>
> Rich,
> the fact that hte rest of the valves do not appear bent doesn't mean
> anything. I have just BTDT with my wife's A4. A sheared timentg belt
> resulted in ALL exhaust valves bent.
> The other valves may be bent as well and you will get poor compression
> and rough performance in the end. And whoever will be doing the head
> work after he is done and ready to install the head on the block MUST
> turn it upside down and fill all 5 combustion chambers with brake fluid
> and wait for an hour to see if it leaks. In my case, after ALL the
> valved were replaced and lapped by the pedantical Yours Truly, 2 out of
> 4 cyliders leaked the brake fluid. Which necessitated re-lapping of the
> relevant valves. If there is as much as a hairline skore on the seat or
> a speck or lapping compound grit stuck between the valve and the seat
> the brake fluid will find its way. This is the old mechanic's trick used
> in my youth Russia
>
> I would positevely not agree on anything less than ALL of the valves be
> replaced.
>
> --
> Igor Kessel
> two turbo quattros
> _______________________________________________
> S-CAR-List mailing list
> S-CAR-List at audifans.com
> http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/s-car-list