Need mechanics advice, and maybe a lawyer...

[notadodge]

I guess that that was the wrong way to state that.

I have 90,000 on the car and dont plan to keep it a long time.. I have done a timing belt on one of my neons and it wasnt a fun job. I think if I change it, it will be outsourced so the bill is around $600. right now I am so upside down dollarwise in this car I dont want to stick anymore into it.. so If I dont have to wory about it wrecking the head I would rather take the chance.

[StreetDeacon]

Originally Posted by mnstrmech

i think at this point were bustin our heads on this for nothing cause from the sounds of things our opionions prolly arnet gonna be heard, and im sure that his sis is just gonna drop in an engine anyway! idk? but i had a discussion between our other master tech thats been at my shop for numerous years and we both agree that worst case scenario all the guy prolly needs is a clyinder relined, a new piston and rings, and a new head and new valves for that clinder(i know that chrysler heads dont come with valves or even seals). that wouldnt add up to 5 grand! but anyway, whatever you choose to do, good luck!

Thanks for your input. I pretty much gave up on the whole matter. Have you guys ever tried to help a friend or family member with a situation, and no matter how much proof you show them, they just don't listen. No matter how easily you break it down, they seem clueless. I hate to say this about my own sister, but shes not exactly the brightest bulb on the christmas tree. I think she just has no fight in her at all. The dealer pretty much convinced her that someone vandalized her car this way. I swear it's like they brainwashed her. Being that I was aggravated, I just told her it was probably a leprechaun. Hell, I bet the dealer could tell her that and she would believe it.

I know there are probably "honest" car dealers out there, but lets face it, they pretty much have a reputation for screwing people over. Especially women. And I wouldn't trust one as far as I could throw them.

Originally Posted by CREWZIN

Anyway, I think we beat this "bolt" thing to death and it will end up with a new engine with the insurance paying for it.

Well I talked to my sister yesterday and she said the insurance company won't take care of it till she files a police report. This is turning into one big cluster-you know what. I begged her to ask the insurance company, after their adjusters looked at it, if they think it's possible the car dealer is just trying to get out of paying for the damages. Reluctantly, she said she will ask, but then when I asked her about it after she talked to them, she told me she didn't ask. It's as if she wants to get screwed over. Like I said earlier, I give up on it. I can't help someone who won't help themselves.

Anyway, I thank everyone for their advice. I figured since you took the time to try to help, the least I can do is give an update. I feel kinda like an idiot now for even wasting everyones time with this.

[StreetDeacon]

LOL, OK. I'm at work right now and my sister calls me. She told me she called the police and they kinda give her the run around. They finally put her through to someone who specializes in vandalism. Basically, he brushes her off telling her it doesn't sound like vandalism. LOL, like me and everyone else has been saying all along.

Anyway, the reason I'm posting now is, hopefully, by tomorrow I will have a copy of a document that the dealership gave my sister stating what the damages are, and how they think they got there.

Like I said, I'm over it, but I'm still curious what exactly they say happened to the motor, and the extent of the damages. My sister read some of it to me over the phone and this time, in writing, it states a 6mm bolt was found. That's one of the reasons I'm getting frustrated with this. The bolt size went from 10mm to 8mm and now 6mm. And the thing is I don't know if the dealership is changing the size of the bolt, or my sister and her boyfriend are misunderstanding.

Well, maybe by tomorrow I'll have a copy of this document. Maybe some of the people reading and posting in this thread are curious. I know I am.

[Hooligan]

Yes, some of us would also like to know.

[04PTGT]

WOW 53 replies! This is on fire! LOL

Rather than being informed… I would still like to see a pic of the mystery bolt.

There is some pretty good info in most all the posts here too.

This is why it’s called a forum…so people can share ideas and thoughts.

A bolt the length of your pinky…. is a stretch to get into a CC.

If a bolt is 8mm or 6mm it could get smashed enough in between the valve and seat..then into the CC

[StreetDeacon]

Well, my sister was a no show, so I don't have the document to post.

When she was reading it to me yesterday, she said it was a 6mm bolt, and something about it damaging the valves, and pieces of the bolt was what did the damage. I guess that will be their answer if anyone asks how it got past the valves. The more time this takes, the more time they have to work any kinks out of their story.

04PTGT, I agree. I would like to see the bolt too, but I can't get my sister to cooperate. LOL, I feel like Jerry McGuire. "Help me, Help YOU!!!"

Even if what they say is true, what sounds more likely to have happened? Do you guys think the bolt fell in by mistake during a tune up, or do you think someone sabotaged it?

The dealerships keeps saying the car wouldn't go far with the bolt in there. Sounds to me like they keep saying that to debunk any idea that the bolt was dropped in by mistake on their part, so they don't have to honor the warranty.

So again I ask to any mechanics here. Can you sabotage a PT Cruiser in this manner? And if so, how long would it take, and how much trouble would it be to do so?

[JolieCruiser]

Well, just to add here, I work for an insurance company (20 years now) in auto and property claims and believe me we see it all. If she had turned in a claim and the police would have taken a report the insurance company would have sent out an appraiser and it would have been gone through with a fine tooth comb if the insurance company is reliable. They don't want to pay out if they don't have to and they don't want to pay any more than they have to. Years and years ago things were alittle easier to get past the appraiser/adjusters but due to all the far fetched claims that are reported nowadays and how it affects premiums and company profits they are much more stricter.
I agree if sounds like they are taking her for a ride. I use to not want to ask questions but there comes a point in time you have to stand up for yourself and ask why, how, etc and not be stepped on.
Hope it all works out!

[fastmdpt]

Originally Posted by StreetDeacon

So again I ask to any mechanics here. Can you sabotage a PT Cruiser in this manner? And if so, how long would it take, and how much trouble would it be to do so?

Once the hood is open, 60seconds.

Tom

[Cathy06PT]

Wow I kinda wish I read this earlier because my post is late but I really do think that the dealers are trying to get one over on you guys and you knwo what they will do that to her and you know why? Because she's a girl...a lot of times they think women know nothing and will believe whatever they tell her. No Im not trying to be an ass but it's true. I do think, however, that the other people who said that it could have fell in there when someone was doing some work on it is very valid. I also agree that you can go to a junk yard and get a motor for 75% less they what they quote you at, because it's mostly labor fees etc etc...i hope everything works out for her.

What about the warr. or lemon law or something? I know how the lemon law works but it's worth looking into as well....

[AlexJB]

Did this ever get resolved?

A similar dodgy claim by a small dealer was made that a timing belt slipped and an ls400 engine was wrecked on the lexus forum, well, that engine is non-interferance and when lexus UK and main office in Japan got involved, the car was moved to a main dealer, new engine and no cost to the owner.
The only problem was the scamming dealer was not repremanded for his shady actions.

I would get Chrysler involved, let them know how you are being strung along and see if they can threaten to look at the car.