2000 SS coolant mix with oil...and other things

[dupo24]

I discovered my coolant going into my oil back in February, and I took it into the local dealership and the warranty took care of a new intake plenum, gaskets, water pump. The dealership said that they took care of everything and topped off the fluids. This weekend, my engine started knocking really bad on the bottom of the engine. I open up the hood and check the levels of everything, and I noticed that the same oil filter that I had on before the coolant contamination problem was still on the engine. I took it in to the same dealership, they called warranty and wanted to take the oil pan off to check the cap and bearings. They want to put a "high quality" used engine into it. What should I do? Is it the fault of the mechanic that didn't change the freaking oil filter that my engine is destroyed? I'm not too comfortable with the whole used engine idea either. Where do you get used engines from??? Hello???

Dupo

[blazes9395]

Yeah its very likely the oil filter was bad and since it wasn't replaced, could have easily caused damage to the engine. Make sure the dealership gives you written proof of what their intentions are i.e; they want to put a used engine in it. This type of proof acknowledges that they may in fact have been at fault for wrecking your engine. Its good for court purposes, if need be. After that calmly explain that the engine was damaged as a result of poor workmanship of the mechanic at their dealership(don't say any more, just whats required), and as a result of that, you will not accept a used engine, and want a gm rebuilt or if you really want to go for it, a new GM engine. I personally would go for a new engine, but their rebuilds are alright too.

Since they have offered you a replacement, they basically have accepted that they may be at fault for your engine going bad, don't let them off the hook with a used engine. They are offering you a used engine in their hopes of you accepting it, and saving themselves some money.

Good Luck, and don't give in !

[dupo24]

I told the dealership and they told me that since the intake failed and the coolant got into the engine to begin with, that it didn't matter whether they changed the oil filter or not, the engine would have failed anyway. They also said that there wasn't enough contaminated oil sitting in the filter to destroy the engine. Why they didn't tell me that the engine had the potential to fail before I fixed the intake is beyond me, they never asked, nor gave me any indication the engine would go bad. They never told me to change the oil soon, they never told me that they didn't change the filter...any idiot knows that you need to change it. I feel like I'm getting screwed with. The used engine that they want to put in it has 18,000 miles on it, compared to the 100,380 that mine does. What do I do?

[blazes9395]

These are the most difficult types of problems one can encounter with a dealership. Have you serviced the vehicle with the same dealership. Did you purchase the vehicle from them? Do you have record of all service done on the vehicle? The vehicle was under warrenty when the gasket was discovered and fixed, it is suppose to return the vehicle to proper working order. If that didn't remedy the problem and damage was done from coolent getting into the oil, they are responsible to change anything that is required to bring the vehicle to proper working order. If that meant an engine at that time, then it was suppose to be done, it was under warrenty at that time.

Now my personal opinion is that the old filter trapped so much oil/coolant mixture, that it probably restricted the oil flowing through it, causing oil pressure loss through the engine, further damaging the bearings. Depending how long the gasket originally leaked, that for sure damaged the bearings from the start.

I don't know what to say here, you have two issues that most likley wrecked the engine 1) the restricted oil filter that was left on when the work was done, and 2) the warrenty work done on the engine did not correct the problem totally as damage to the engine was probably already done as a result of defective gaskets all of which was under warrenty at the time. Personally I have two vehicles, I would let it sit there and I would fight it, call GM up, open up a case with them, advise them what you want done, and if they won't help(most likly not) advise them you will proceed to court with this, and hold both GM and the dealership liable for the damages to your car, including any inconviences. I am a GM customer since the first day I got my licence but, when something is wrong, and they know they are wrong(offered you a used engine), they should do whats right and correct it. A used engine from a dealership is embarresing. They should be embarressed they even are considering that option.

[toddler62]

If they offered me an 18,000k mileage engine to replace my 100,000k plus engine for free . I would think that might be better than fighting them for weeks or possibly months to get a new engine for a car thats half worn out already.

[blazes9395]

Originally Posted by toddler62

If they offered me an 18,000k mileage engine to replace my 100,000k plus engine for free . I would think that might be better than fighting them for weeks or possibly months to get a new engine for a car thats half worn out already.

True, but for me thats not the point. The point for me is, if they neglected to fix it right the first time, under warrenty, then they will have to do it right the second time. Sure the 18,000k engine is alright, assuming it was looked after properly from the doner vehicle, but that, in my books, is not getting it totally right. This is a trickle down problem too, from poor gaskets from the original manufacture, to poor workmanship from the dealership - and there should be no excuse for that. Because of that, GM and the dealership, should replace the engine with a new one, no questions asked - and get it right.

Now yes, this is something I would consider too, whether or not to take my time(and most likly) hard earned money, to pursue this problem. All I can say is that I would hate to be in a problem such as this.