Wrecked my honda thanksgiving

[emeraldlion]

So, thanksgiving morning I had an accident in my '08 SI sedan low miles great condition. I'm fine no one else involved. 8 inches of driveway lip caught me head on and did quite a bit of damage. Body shop is saying that engine cradle was damaged and oil pan had a hole. Car sat for 4 days at wreckers because body shop wasn't open and when shop received car and began teardown the tried to start it. Repair shop told me they heard some knocking and didn't run it long but I know it was run without oil. Body damages are quoted at 11k with labor.

 

The only engine inspection they were planning on doing is to remove and replace oil pan and inspect mains for scorching. Any advice on how to approach the potential engine damage from them running it briefly without oil and the potential implications of the knocking. I so far have "politely" explained that I'm not comfortable authorizing repairs until engine teardown and inspection is included in estimate of those repairs. Anyone dealt with this type of experience before or know exactly what to say to them to portray how important this engine issue is? I have a feeling they don't want to quote any engine work because it's on the cusp of total loss.

[getoffmyinternet]

Tell them if they can't fix the engine they just bought it!

[palosfv3]

We have run into similar situations at our shop in the past of cars striking an object and putting a hole in the pan. The real issue is the hole in the pan, not that the shop may have started the motor , as the motor may have run without oil at sometime between the accident and when the shop received the car. I'm assuming an insurance company is involved in this loss wether your own or anothers.

Remember you are the person responsible for the authorization and payment of the work not the insurance company. If this is a leased vehicle check your lease as there are contractual criteria that must be followed in the repair. Also be aware of the OEM collision repair guidelines for the proper structural repair of your car. These repair guidelines must be closely be followed and adhered to. did the airbags deploy ? Dont forget to check the restraint system. Even if the bags didn't deploy there may be seat belts and other safety related items that may need inspection or replacement..

 

Best next step at this time is to notify the shop and your insurance company with a phone call and then writing to stop all repairs until the condition of the engine is established. Your insurance company should accept the investagative charges , this damage as part of the loss and more than likely rebuilding the engine .This additional damage along with the body and paint repairs will probably result in the car being declared a total loss by the carrier. The insurance should pick up any expenses and charges that you have incurred at the shop as well as pay the fair market value of the vehicle plus title ,taxes and transfer fees. Many of the new engines are not running insert bearings and as a result the actual damage would have scored the block once the oil left the engine. Dont fall for the bs to put oil in the engine and run it for a while to see if its OK from anyone. Running a close tolerance engine without oil is fatal. They are not as forgiving as the old style motors.

 

Your suspicions are relevant about the shop beliveing the car is a total but the real issue may lie with the insurance adjuster/ company. If Ihey are a DRP shop for the insurance company there are criteria they are arm twisted to follow and may not be aware of how to get around the hurdle. As an example they would only be allowed to replace the engine with a LKQ motor not a new or rebuilt or they may not know how to hold the insurance company accountable for the inclusion of this loss related damage.

 

Once the carrier is aware of the engine damage I'm sure they will step up the pace and get things resolved quickly.

[emeraldlion]

Well, I'm lucky in that I paid cash for the car so there is no gap or lien. I do not have an adjuster assigned as they filed me an "express claim". The shop is responsible for reporting damages to the vehicle and I am dealing with the shop's "quality assurance inspector" not an adjuster/assessor. They have both been made aware of my concerns about the engine and they are aware that there was a knocking noise when they tried to start the engine.

 

I have not authorized ANY repairs to the vehicle thus far. The quality assurance guy left a voicemail stating that I would need to authorize repairs and estimate before they could perform any work to car or engine but initial estimate did not include any statement of engine teardown/inspection and or possible repairs if needed. I told them to authorize I needed a new estimate that reflected such and they waitlisted me while they had another conversation.

 

Let me state that they have both been pretty straightforward thus far and have done a decent job of keeping in touch(although I call them way more than they call me). So I'm not disgruntled or upset YET. I was just putting my ear to the ground to see if anyone had any thoughts/past experience. I do appreciate any help/suggestions.

 

P.S. I would like to add that I will not be posting any specific company name or information until this is resolved. I give an honest answer as to how the situation was handled as a whole, not just whether I was happy with the outcome.

Edited December 7, 2010 by emeraldlion

[sticky280zx]

stop running into stuff man, wife hit some kid turning left and totalled her hyundai thanksgiving week monday, then got a rental tuesday and car was hit on thanksgiving in texas stadium, then hit again the next monday....then my brakes went out on my rental yesterday...not good for cars lately. Sounds like you should put the shop on blast for starting the car with a hole in the pan/no oil in the motor, and that the insurance company needs to take it up with them as it was their shop it was taken to and you never told them to start the car, and that the pan had a hole in it already.