Engine diagnostics in 2000 GTP

I have a 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP, and the engine seized while we were driving it down the highway. Before it got to the current shop, we were told the alternator and supercharger were okay, but the engine didn't spin. The first thing they found was that there was no water in the radiator.

We haven't authorized any repairs, but the shop has completely torn out the engine. Would this be considered a normal part of the diagnostics? Tearing apart an engine seems a little extreme to me, but would the shop be able to argue it was necessary for diagnosis?

If there was no water in the coolant system it won't take long before you are up a creek. The engine is more than likely nicely toasted. Do you know what happened to the water? If, for instance the water got into the engine hydrolock can occur and they would need to tear it apart to get it out. If it just overheated due to a lack of water then you probably have some thermal meltdown. I am surprised you didn't have a low coolant light on or something.

We had the intake gaskets changed at the end of December, and since then, we haven't had any warning lights (either low coolant or check engine). Jumping it didn't do the trick, so it's wasn't just overheated. The problem is that the current shop's estimate freaked out our warranty company, so we're trying to move it to a place they'll work with. So we have to settle our bill with the current shop so they'll release the car. I'm just trying to figure out whether they needed to tear apart the engine to diagnose the problem, or if they were jumping the gun, assuming they'd be doing the repairs.

I see what you mean. Leave it to a repair shop to assume things. I still believe(as I am in school to be an auto tech) that if the car was completely out of coolant and it locked up, you probably have some serious problems. The techs can't just look into the engine compartment and tell you what the problem is. Diagnosis is tricky and they may have needed to do some tearing to see what had happened. If they charged you more than an hour or two for diagnosis that you didn't ok then I would be pissed too.

no shop can do unauthorized work. Its quite illegal to tear apart a motor and then suddenly demand 10 hours of labor for the diagnostics when you never OK'd it.

On top of that, you now have a engine in pieces (aka, basket case) that no other shop will want to touch with a ten foot pole.

What, exactly, did you authorize when you first brought in the car? Most start with an initial diagnostics, usually one hour. Whats SUPPOSED to happen is they then call you to authorize more time if they feel its necessary, but either way, there must be a verbal or written agreement that they are charing you the diagnostics before they do it....legally.

This is a very nasty situation, and I don't blame you if you want to settle this without lawyers....no one likes bringing them in. But on the bright side, you would absolutely slaughter this shop in small claims court. If it comes down to it. Get everything documented, pay the bill and tow the car out of there....and immediately take them to small claims and get all your money back, plus some for dealing with the torn apart motor, wasted time, etc.

you said you have an extended warranty. those companies routinely require at least a partial tear-down and visual inspection by one of their adjusters to determine if the claim is going to be covered or not. my guess is that the adjuster came out and saw something that was not covered under your particular warranty and denied the claim. if a coolant hose split or it threw the drive belt then they arent going to cover it. only failures of non-maintenance items will be covered. i see it all the time actually. people bring their cars in with a rod hanging out the side ofthe block, then you pull the valve cover off and it looks like someone was cooking brownies on the head. no maintanence = no warranty

good point mazda, I should have thought of that too

I am surprised you didn't have a low coolant light on or something.

Same here and I agree. Her model Grand Prix has a coolant level sensor located at the passenger side of the radiator about three inches below the filler neck. It should have tripped the low coolant warning light located at the instrument panel.

Sounds like a blown head gasket or lower intake manifold gasket is the root of the probems. But it sounds like the engine is toast now.