MAJOR jetta ENGINE BAY problem! HELP!
greekjoe
02-06-2005, 12:51 PM
I have done a very good job of maintaining my 1998 VW Jetta GLS, and it runs really well in spite of its 108000+ miles. My local VW dealer and a VW specialist have done most of the maintenance on this car.
Anyway, I recently drove the car from Ohio to Florida, and, prior to leaving, I had my VW specialist inspect the car and the local Midas mechanic inspect the exhaust and undercarriage. Both inspections went well and both mechanics agreed that the car was in great condition when I left.
Needless to say, 2 weeks after making it to Florida without any problems, the car was the victim of a hit and run in a parking lot near my home. The car was hit pretty hard in the front right corner, damaging the right headlight, the grille, the bumper, and the right side panel. After turning the car on and beginning to drive it, I noticed two problems: the air conditioning emitted a large amount of mist through the vents inside the car and something under the car began to rattle to the point of embarrassment.
After getting a pretty high estimate just for the body work, I turned the claim into my insurance. It took them 2 weeks to repair the body work--which is ridiculous--but they REFUSE to address the mechanical issues. So, my two questions:
1. Though the air conditioning worked after it emitted all that mist, the insurance company claims that the condenser and the radiator could not have been damaged because the impact did not physically touch either of those parts. However, the insurance company's mechanics are unable to offer any explanation for the smoke. I suspect that some larger problem might be present here. Any thoughts?
2. (and MORE importantly) The rattling noise under the car is ridiculous, and my own visual inspection didn't come up with anything. The mufflers and everything else under the car seem to be attached and in place. The insurance company VEHEMENTLY denies that the rattling could possibly be related to the impact, but, again, the rattling started after the accident and so the impact must be related to the the noise somehow. After much questioning, the insurance company finally admitted that something is wrong with the car's engine bay, probably caused by a prior accident. Ironically, the car has never been in an accident--and my VW specialist says there is nothing on a Jetta specifically referred to as an "engine bay," but it is likely the part of the car in which the engine rests. He thinks that it would be very unsafe for me to drive the car with a damaged engine bay. Does anybody have any clue what the hell could be going on here? I am really frustrated because this noise definitely started after the car was hit...I have been without my car for over 2 weeks now, and I'm so lost...help me please!
I'd appreciate any and all advice people on this board could offer. Thanks!
Anyway, I recently drove the car from Ohio to Florida, and, prior to leaving, I had my VW specialist inspect the car and the local Midas mechanic inspect the exhaust and undercarriage. Both inspections went well and both mechanics agreed that the car was in great condition when I left.
Needless to say, 2 weeks after making it to Florida without any problems, the car was the victim of a hit and run in a parking lot near my home. The car was hit pretty hard in the front right corner, damaging the right headlight, the grille, the bumper, and the right side panel. After turning the car on and beginning to drive it, I noticed two problems: the air conditioning emitted a large amount of mist through the vents inside the car and something under the car began to rattle to the point of embarrassment.
After getting a pretty high estimate just for the body work, I turned the claim into my insurance. It took them 2 weeks to repair the body work--which is ridiculous--but they REFUSE to address the mechanical issues. So, my two questions:
1. Though the air conditioning worked after it emitted all that mist, the insurance company claims that the condenser and the radiator could not have been damaged because the impact did not physically touch either of those parts. However, the insurance company's mechanics are unable to offer any explanation for the smoke. I suspect that some larger problem might be present here. Any thoughts?
2. (and MORE importantly) The rattling noise under the car is ridiculous, and my own visual inspection didn't come up with anything. The mufflers and everything else under the car seem to be attached and in place. The insurance company VEHEMENTLY denies that the rattling could possibly be related to the impact, but, again, the rattling started after the accident and so the impact must be related to the the noise somehow. After much questioning, the insurance company finally admitted that something is wrong with the car's engine bay, probably caused by a prior accident. Ironically, the car has never been in an accident--and my VW specialist says there is nothing on a Jetta specifically referred to as an "engine bay," but it is likely the part of the car in which the engine rests. He thinks that it would be very unsafe for me to drive the car with a damaged engine bay. Does anybody have any clue what the hell could be going on here? I am really frustrated because this noise definitely started after the car was hit...I have been without my car for over 2 weeks now, and I'm so lost...help me please!
I'd appreciate any and all advice people on this board could offer. Thanks!
bigblackone
02-06-2005, 05:35 PM
sounds like you may need to seek the advice of an attorney. If you have documentation of the soundness of the car before the accident and the symptoms after the accident, it would only help you.
Insurance companies are not in the business of making sure everything is fixed to your satisfaction. they are in business to make a profit, unfortunately.
Insurance companies are not in the business of making sure everything is fixed to your satisfaction. they are in business to make a profit, unfortunately.
boschmann
02-07-2005, 04:15 PM
Mist in the car could be steam from a leaking heater core, common but unlikely caused by the accident. I can't see ho anyone can speculate on the rattle if no-one has found what it is. If it rattles without the car moving take it to an exhaust shop, if it only rattles when rolling then have the suspension looked at.
veedubmechanic
02-07-2005, 11:21 PM
Damn, what insurnace company do you have? seems like they suck sacks-o-balls.
greekjoe
02-10-2005, 10:46 AM
Well, I got the car back. Very, very disappointed with the situation:
1. Progressive [the worst insurance company ever] refused to repair the car's rattling noise. To be honest, I doubt they even drove it to determine what was going on. I walked under the car with the manager, and he showed me how the bushings on the suspension and the power steering are rusted. Unfortunately, he failed to recognize that the noise wasn't coming from that area of the car. I took the car to a German auto specialist yesterday, and he suspects the noise, which sounds like a loose piece of metal (to me, not the biggest deal!), is the catalytic converter. His assessment makes sense since the catalytic converter is located in the center of the undercarriage, and the noise seems to be triggered by going over bumps--as if something is knocked out of place. The rattling happens even when the car idles (which I told Progressive), and sometimes you can hear the rattling when you slam the car doors shut. In my humble opinion, I think the catalytic converter, or something in that area, is loose and when the car hits a bump, the part gets dislodged, allowing the rattling to worsen--the suspension and the power steering have nothing to do with this, as Progressive claims. Any ideas?
2. The same German car specialist looked over the body work, which Progressive was supposed to have done at the body shop preferred by the local VW dealer, and he said it was done sloppily. According to the estimate, Progressive claims that the front right fender was replaced. Looking closely, the spacing between the edge of the fender and the edge of the hood isn't even, as it is on the undamaged left side. I plan to have this poor body work documented before I begin arbitration with Progressive.
3. The air conditioning system seems to be working now with no problems. This issue has become basically moot as to my claim with Progressive.
4. In the process of "repairing" my car, Progessive also managed to break the alarm system. Instead of automatically arming when I press the lock button on the transponder, the alarm timer begins and the doors do not lock. The system then waits--presumably until a door, the hood (yes, according to the owners manual, even the hood is included in the system), or the trunk are closed (even though they physically appear to be closed)--and finally arms itself when the timer expires after a minute or two. Progressive claims that the burden of proof now falls to me to prove that the alarm system could have been broken in the process of the body work they performed (I think that making ME prove that THEY broke something is ridiculous, btw). I suspect that when they "repaired" the radiator support under the hood and changed the headlamp assembly in that area, they messed with the contacts that tell the alarm system that the hood is closed. Unfortunately, the German auto specialist near me admits to having the equipment but not the skills to identify the problem. Any idea how I could just fix this myself or anything to tell the VW dealership so that they can diagnose and document this with little expense to me?
Alright, guys, please give me some help here because I've lost my patience with Progressive and am going crazy...
1. Progressive [the worst insurance company ever] refused to repair the car's rattling noise. To be honest, I doubt they even drove it to determine what was going on. I walked under the car with the manager, and he showed me how the bushings on the suspension and the power steering are rusted. Unfortunately, he failed to recognize that the noise wasn't coming from that area of the car. I took the car to a German auto specialist yesterday, and he suspects the noise, which sounds like a loose piece of metal (to me, not the biggest deal!), is the catalytic converter. His assessment makes sense since the catalytic converter is located in the center of the undercarriage, and the noise seems to be triggered by going over bumps--as if something is knocked out of place. The rattling happens even when the car idles (which I told Progressive), and sometimes you can hear the rattling when you slam the car doors shut. In my humble opinion, I think the catalytic converter, or something in that area, is loose and when the car hits a bump, the part gets dislodged, allowing the rattling to worsen--the suspension and the power steering have nothing to do with this, as Progressive claims. Any ideas?
2. The same German car specialist looked over the body work, which Progressive was supposed to have done at the body shop preferred by the local VW dealer, and he said it was done sloppily. According to the estimate, Progressive claims that the front right fender was replaced. Looking closely, the spacing between the edge of the fender and the edge of the hood isn't even, as it is on the undamaged left side. I plan to have this poor body work documented before I begin arbitration with Progressive.
3. The air conditioning system seems to be working now with no problems. This issue has become basically moot as to my claim with Progressive.
4. In the process of "repairing" my car, Progessive also managed to break the alarm system. Instead of automatically arming when I press the lock button on the transponder, the alarm timer begins and the doors do not lock. The system then waits--presumably until a door, the hood (yes, according to the owners manual, even the hood is included in the system), or the trunk are closed (even though they physically appear to be closed)--and finally arms itself when the timer expires after a minute or two. Progressive claims that the burden of proof now falls to me to prove that the alarm system could have been broken in the process of the body work they performed (I think that making ME prove that THEY broke something is ridiculous, btw). I suspect that when they "repaired" the radiator support under the hood and changed the headlamp assembly in that area, they messed with the contacts that tell the alarm system that the hood is closed. Unfortunately, the German auto specialist near me admits to having the equipment but not the skills to identify the problem. Any idea how I could just fix this myself or anything to tell the VW dealership so that they can diagnose and document this with little expense to me?
Alright, guys, please give me some help here because I've lost my patience with Progressive and am going crazy...
Scanner
02-10-2005, 11:25 AM
Should have used a rubber mallet and rap on the exhaust to determine the rattle...it my be just a heat shield and/or the cat my be rattling inside.
Ck the a/c evap. drain, it may be plugged causing water build up and then shows itself in the form of frozen water vapor.
Ck the door gap where the dome light switch is and also the hood switch for the alarm system problem.
Ck the a/c evap. drain, it may be plugged causing water build up and then shows itself in the form of frozen water vapor.
Ck the door gap where the dome light switch is and also the hood switch for the alarm system problem.
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