Car loan - blown engine? 2000 Dodge Intrepid?

Question

Car loan - blown engine? 2000 Dodge Intrepid?

Answer 1

they for sure did not leave the drain plug out or you would not have gotten more than a few minutes out of it without oil, the worst they did was not check it to make sure it was snug then it is possible for it to fall out over time from normal engine vibration, now for the 8k replacement cost, WHAT THE "F"? it's a northamerican car and the most it should cost for a rebuilt, installed is around 3k to 4k, it's a v6 for shite sakes not a v16, this garage is no friend of yours, good luck, maybe see if you can get an auto wrecker used engine to put in.

Answer 2

Just doesn't sound right.......... It would not take 2 months for the oil to drain out and the motor seize up if they forgot to put the plug back in.

The plug may not have been tightened enough, and it vibrated loose after 2 months, and then the oil drained out.

If the engine seized because of no oil within a day or two of the oil change, this would be a lot more believable that Jiffy Lube was at fault. Engines don't run for 2 months without oil and then decide to seize up. I have heard of a few similar occurrences with Intrepids with the 3.1 liter engine. Check around for a reliable repair shop that will put a new or rebuilt engine in it for less than the dealer's quote. It sounds like the car is out of warranty.... by both age and mileage..... if it's out of warranty, and the dealer won't cover it, you aren't required to have the work done by them. They will charge you unbelievable rates for labor and parts. Try to find a good shop to do it for less.

Answer 3

no way. it wouln't run 10 minutes without oil. Someone might have pulled the drain plug as an act of vandalism. The only shot you have at a lawsuit is to prove that it was not installed tight enough. I don't see how you can do that.

Answer 4

No way you could have driven the car for even 2 minutes with out the oil plug.

Answer 5

you don't need a lawyer to file a claim. file it and list the names of who worked on the car it should be on the receipt from the oil change and also take pics of the motor and in order to tell if the motor broke because of lack of oil have the mechanic list all tings wrong with the motor and give a full report on why lack of oil will cause this same thing with in that time and you just did not break a chain that is not related to the oil change. the shop is going to want this report also. do not give them this until you file the claim against them. make a case before filing it gat all the info you can on the engine like recalls and other people that have had this happen to that year car. all this info can help. also file two claim one with jiffy and one with the car company if you have found this engine to be a flaw.



and to add to this ignore Nope egg sure

he cant aford to have his pinto tuned up and has on clue about cars.

Answer 6

I have a question: What color is the sky in your world ? If it happened in the first hour after an oil change thats one thing, After two months you need to find the real cause to the problem.

Answer 7

I agree with the others that it could not have happened that way. However, the garage mechanic may have told you that hoping you would believe it.



First there are companies that build rebuilt engines for various makes and models, they take the old one out and pop the new one in. I would not have the existing engine fixed. In a garage you'll pay retail for all the parts, the labor costs will be high. Having said all that $8,000 is ridiculous even if you have a mechanic do the job. Shop around, there are honest mechanics out there.



It's not unheard of for the bolt to jar loose a little bit and the oil to drip out slowly.



Secondly it sounds like the warranty has expired, so you might want to put in an insurance claim. Even with a deductable of $500.00 or $1,000.00, it is what insurance is for. Blown engines happen for a variety of reasons, it won't be the first claim of this kind the insurance company has heard of. If they ask you to shop around, call or visit at least three repair places and get the quotes faxed or write them down and record the phone number of the place and the person you spoke to along with the quote.



The insurance company will pick one that charges a fair price, after all they have to pick up the rest of the tab. If they increase your premiums next time (most won't for something like this because it wasn't your fault) just shop around when it comes time to renew. I had my first accident a few years ago (my fault) and my premiums were not raised. My Dad had an accident the same year, his fault as well. His insurance company jacked up his premiums by $800.00. He called his agent and said the company had been taking his money for 40 years and this was his first claim. He called around, he was up front about the accident and found a company that gave him the same coverage for the same amount.



Anyway, some problems are made to sound awful when you talk to some mechanics. But it pays to get a second or third opinion, most mechanics are honest.



A "new" rebuilt or rebuilt used engine is really your best option. There are consumer organizations that rate the products of the rebuilders, it is wise to check out the company before you buy.



I looked on the internet and found a company that offered for sale a rebuilt engines for a 2000 models. The average price was $1560.00.



If your deductable is $1000.00 all you will pay is the $1000.00, if it is $500 or less, then you are laughing. But the mechanic doesn't sound right. Car manufactures stopped using timing belts about 20 years ago, it's all electronic.



I don't know if you remember but a couple of years ago a certain foreign pick up truck company had problems with the bolts on the axle assembly cover. All four could be shaken out over time and then in a moment the cover would fall off, some road junk would get sucked in and did all kinds of neat things to the axle assembley. Since pick-up trucks need lots of power, the strain caused other parts to fail and it was all due to substandard bolts.



Anyway, if you do decide to use insurance, they will be familiar with the problem and will probably be delighted when you suggest junking the engine instead of repairing it and replacing it with a rebuilt one.

Answer 8

this happened to me once...a place like jiffy lube...i had a 89 ford mustang gt...they didn't tighten the oil pan nut back and the oil splashed up on the exaust and started smoking really bad when i pulled out and down the road...i called them right away and they sent someone to where i pulled over at to fix it...in any case it's there fault the engine blew up...my advice to u is to call the coprperate office and talk to someone there about it...it might take a little running around on the phone for your part...but im sure they will fix it...or your local new might find out about it :)

Answer 9

It ran for two months with what... NO OIL PLUG?!!!?



Wow!



If a dodge intrepid can make it home from where you bought it WITH the oil plug, you are doing pretty good.

Answer 10

OK! No picture! You are being hard on her and don't him let you think that you are being taken advantage of!!!!

Im a female mechanic in the business and that taking advantage BS is quickly becoming a myth. I am glad you are here asking the question and have done something to find out what might have happen and have some info about your problem which is Alot more than I can say About Most Guys asking Questions!!!!

Truth is unless Jiffy did something other than an oil change, you dont really have a case. Only thing I can think of that happened as you expressed it, is that they did'nt tighten the oil drain bolt to spec and it vibrated out (over time) causing you to lose oil BUT you would have Noticed oil spots under your car during the 2 months. Most people dont notice their car doing *hit til it breaks!!

Answer 11

That's a bunch of BS. You cannot drive for 2 months without oil nor without an oil light coming on. Plus, there is no way you can suck a timing chain into an engine. Plus, Intrepids don't even have timing chains, they have timing belts that are made of rubber, and they are external to the engine and cannot get sucked into it causing $8,000 in damage.



You need a psychiatrist, not a lawyer. If you proceed with your lies in a lawsuit, Jiffylube will completely destroy you.



Ok, sorry I was a little hard on you. I have to remind myself that you are a woman. I feel for you because dealerships and car repairshops take advantage of women constantly. Your case is no exception. All I can really tell you is that if you can find a guy that knows cars, marry him because without a knowledgeable car guy in your life, you are doomed to a life of vehicular despair.



Also, learn to change your own oil. It's easy. Use a dipstick siphon if you don't want to get messy under the car.

Answer 12

Call a lawyer and talk about taking the case on a contingency basis. This means that they get paid if and only if you do, and they get the money out of the settlement. You will need to have proof from various mechanics that the source of the problem is the missing plug. You will need your receipt from Jiffy Lube showing that you DID get your oil done there. You will also need mechanics willing to swear that the part can not fall out by itself, but had to have been left off.



My husband says that this had happened to him in the past, also with Jiffy lube. They had cross threaded a bolt, causing permanent leaks. Get a mechanic's diagnostics and make certain you have careful descriptions from him/her on how this happened. It will need to be a certified Mechanic, and one not related to you in any way for the court case.

Answer 13

if there was no plug , it would not have made it out of the jiffy lube without blowing up. those engines are known for that, the sprocket for the timing chains seize and cause the engine to blow, it probaly had an existing leak, most of them do

Answer 14

most intrepids are lucky to make it home brand new if it took two months for oil plug to fall out r u sure no one loosened oil plugdo you not ever check your oil or look under your car for oil leaks if not i highly recommend it at least once a week buy another car

Answer 15

Talk to your insurance, they have attorneys. Since you are still paying on the car, you must have full coverage.

Answer 16

nope egg had an awesome answer. id have to agree with him totally!!!