Well I'm not a lawyer (nor do I play one on TV) but I have worked as a mechanic, and read my fair share of warranties.

Most warranties have language to the effect that they will not cover problems due to "continued operation of the vehicle with a known defect". Unfortunately for your father, I think this is going to be the key issue here.

The breaking of the belt and the resultant destruction of the coolant hose was the first problem - and they should cover it. However, they are going to argue (and I hate to say it but I pretty much agree) that the destruction of the motor was due to the fact that when coolant was lost, the motor was not immediately shut off. I realize there are probably mitigating circumstances like traffic, but if the motor was shut down promptly, it probably would not have been damaged.

Now for "the other side of the coin". First, the question of why the serpentine belt broke. As Bill said, serps are prone to breaking just like any other type of belt. The maintenance schedule for all cars gives inspection/replacement intervals for these belts. If the dealer was supposed to replace the belt and did not, they should accept some responsibility.

The second thing is the price. For $8375, I can only assume they are quoting the price for a brand-new motor. If all else fails, your father could probably save a bundle by installing a junkyard motor. Or perhaps the warranty company would agree to do that as a compromise - it's probably worth asking.

Eric Law

posted by 63.173.23...

• legal advice if possible please (long), sleepy saaber, Thu, 18 Apr 2002 02:34:12
  • thanks everyone. this all helps. (n/m), sleepy saaber, Thu, 18 Apr 2002 13:48:11
  • How many miles? Isn't it still covered by the factory, A. Snaab, Thu, 18 Apr 2002 13:01:55
  • How many miles? Isn't it still covered by the factory, A. Snaab, Thu, 18 Apr 2002 13:01:35
  • Re: legal advice if possible please (long), Robert Kaplan, Thu, 18 Apr 2002 09:37:23
    • Right! I'd check tensioner, pulleys, etc, EricG, Thu, 18 Apr 2002 10:06:29
      • i had that happen, dave, Thu, 18 Apr 2002 15:57:11
  • Bad news / good news, Eric Law, Thu, 18 Apr 2002 08:53:22 <-- Viewing This Message
    • Re: Bad news / good news, claude, Thu, 18 Apr 2002 23:26:58
    • My father is having warranty probs with his BMW 740iL.., Zip, Thu, 18 Apr 2002 09:30:57
    • Question about engine shut-off..., Joe98, Thu, 18 Apr 2002 09:21:41
      • Saw that on a Ford Focus..., Jeff Malin, Sat, 20 Apr 2002 01:08:38
      • Re: Question about engine shut-off..., Eric Law, Thu, 18 Apr 2002 14:55:39
      • I wouldn't want to rely on this, BillJ, Thu, 18 Apr 2002 09:27:21
        • Re: I wouldn't want to rely on this, Aerogant, Thu, 18 Apr 2002 10:16:34
  • Re: legal advice if possible please (long), Bill D, Thu, 18 Apr 2002 08:36:46

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