Service shop inspected car after report of low oil pressure. Found oil filter was imploded and undersized for car (01 Passat 2.0L V6). Oil was described as silver in color and contained metal shavings. Shop said engine bearing(s) are shot and need replacement engine. Initiated liability claim against lube shop which changed oil.
Now, they want to have their mechanic inspect the car to determine the cause of the failure and then decide if they will accept liability !
I've spoken to two other mechanics and they stated it is impossible to determine the cause of the failure now that the original service shop has removed the original oil and imploded oil filter.
So, my question is what should I do (i.e. let the other mechanic inspect the engine or not)? Can he really determine the cause of the failure now or am I just giving the lube place a chance to develop a defense for a possible lawsuit (i.e. my expert says X and their's says Y was the cause)?
2007-03-06 05:17:49 · 5 answers · asked by Bryan 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I do still have the imploded oil filter
2007-03-06 05:33:17 · update #1
Your missing the point guys, I have all my ducks in a row, documentation and evidence.
What I need answered is expertise around cause of failure determination after initial inspection.
2007-03-06 05:36:18 · update #2
That's interesting. The oil filter is located after the pump...it's under pressure. How could it implode? The size of the filter should be 3.77"Dx3.75"H, which is pretty small to begin with. Size has little to do with anything beyond the life of the filter. Finally, the filter should have an internal bypass that opens if the inlet and outlet pressures differ by more than about 30 psi. What brand was the filter? What part #? Are you sure they even installed a new one? You will need to know this, and you will probably need to preserve the filter for any lawsuit.
But if I were the owner of the shop, I would demand to inspect the filter and the engine. If the filter is to blame, then the liability may lie with the manufacturer of the filter. If I owned the car, I wouldn't let anyone touch the anything until I spoke with my lawyer.
Lube shops are generally inept. The moral here is to stay away from them.
2007-03-06 05:47:36 · answer #1 · answered by anywherebuttexas 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Implosion Engine
2016-10-16 06:24:51 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The inspector representing the lube-change shop has every right to inspect your engine before they accept liability for anything. If you didn't have enough sense to retain the faulty parts and contaminated oil then you just may be screwed. After all, would YOU pay for something without the benefit of inspecting it?
2007-03-06 05:26:26 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
i'm sorry to say that if you didn't document what was found and kept the old imploded filter as proof you may be screwed. the filter will have the residue of what material was in the oil and if it is a brand used by that lube shop only they would be screwed.
2007-03-06 05:33:44 · answer #4 · answered by barbonzo1 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
my guess is you will get nothing...a 6 year old car? they will laugh you out of court.
2007-03-06 05:23:12 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋