Front end accident, engine overheating - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

BenzML · 02-04-2010, 07:07 AM

I purchased a new 2010 Infiniti EX35, so my father had taken over the 2007 Camry LE. On his way home from work he said he was cruising and going down an exit ramp. When he was adjusting his speed gradually he noticed the "engine was revving, while hitting the brakes", he said he panicked and put the car in neutral to avoid running off the ramp too far off at this point then shut off the engine to stop it completely. I figured it was some other problem for the pedal being stuck because after reading, it says the recall for Toyota's does not include the one that have the VIN # starting with J (meaning I believe built in Japan, but not a Hybrid obviously). So I'm not too good with car knowledge in specifics when it becomes being too technical but, it seems as if the "radiator", the piece huge filter looking this behind the bumper had taken in a lot of dirt, which I believe is the cause of the engine to overheat? Other than that, visually, all I see is that the front bumper is broken and the undercarriage guard (again don't know the name) along with the the fog light cracked. I cleaned out the mud to see how the engine runs (only because I need a car for school and was if I will be able to make it) and it doesn't seem to overheat but was wondering if you guys can shed some light on the situation. Before I call the insurance (I have full coverage with all the extras possible including rental/towing), but I have a $500 deductible so depending of the severity of the repair, I usually get my personal body shop to save me the deductible. Also I am pretty pissed because I try not to damage a car, it always kills my trade in when the time comes, is there a way I can have the manufacturer ship me a painted front bumper, it seems dealers have some "meter" object that shows repaints done on a car. I figured if something came through the manufacturer painted, it would have to as original as possible. The final question, even though I have aftermarket fog lights, how much trouble is the the insurance likely to give me a problem replacing them (because if they do they will probably use the factory once rather than the ebay ones I purchased which were good quality still.

Thanks for all the feedback and patients!

BlackCamSe · 02-04-2010, 07:41 AM

my camry was just involved in a front end crash as well. Needs a bumper, radiator, and ac condensor. 2700 in damage

BenzML · 02-04-2010, 07:55 AM

Ouch. Thanks for the information man, so I will automatically assume its not safe to drive and will have to wait for a rental. would you recommended having it towed to a body shop? It's included in my insurance as long as its legitimately can't be driven.

My 2007 Camry LE starts with a "J" VIN#, does that fall under the recall, if so, how do I prove that it was because of that? Obviously if its related, I would want my insurance copy to know that we had no control over how the vehicle reacted causing it to go off the road.

BlackCamSe · 02-04-2010, 08:09 AM

well my car wasent overheating so i was able to take it to the bodyshop myself. But my rad was bent.

Redline_Me · 02-04-2010, 08:28 AM

You probly cracked your radiator or a hose broke. You have to check for leaks.

BenzML · 02-04-2010, 08:47 AM

I just checked for leaks, my coolant is completely empty and gave my driveway a pink new look. I'm not sure but I think my radiator may be okay (still full of grass and dirt), but when I crank her up (cold), it sounds like someone is somewhat choking it. Usually it sounds quite raspy when its cold, but I made sure to turn it off right away before it even got half way temperature.

BlackCamSe · 02-04-2010, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenzML

I just checked for leaks, my coolant is completely empty and gave my driveway a pink new look. I'm not sure but I think my radiator may be okay (still full of grass and dirt), but when I crank her up (cold), it sounds like someone is somewhat choking it. Usually it sounds quite raspy when its cold, but I made sure to turn it off right away before it even got half way temperature.

the rads cracked..no boubt. report to insurance and get it towed to a body shop. The radiator is $530 before labor. Youll probably need an ac condensor also. Which is like 300

Redline_Me · 02-05-2010, 12:03 AM

Fill the radiator with water and see where it comes out, don't start the car.

BenzML · 02-05-2010, 10:29 AM

Okay, this doesn't look "bad" as most accidents but this after raking out a ton of mud from the radiator, a lot of stuff went through the front so let me know what you guys think if its a big damage or not. wonder if insurance will notice my fogs are aftermarket, Camry was towed away yesterday morning, here are some pics (Sorry for the poor quality, pics were taken off my cellphone.

Redline_Me · 02-05-2010, 09:18 PM

Doesnt look too bad. Try to tell them the fogs came with the car, if they dont say anything just make sure whatever shop you go to puts them on the invoice. But they should be able to tell because the switch for the is on the headlight switch. Who knows?

BenzML · 02-05-2010, 09:45 PM

I doubt they will check the headlight stalk switch lol, fathers friend is working on the car. Usually he saves me the deductible, so I doubt he will leave the headlights broken. He has a couple of days before the adjuster gets there and I'm not to sure but I think body shops make their own estimates before they get looked at my the insurance companies, I gave them one of the broken fogs that was totally detached so they don't forget to accidentally notice, because I found it hard to spot (also took off my after market fog light covers which were horrible and duck taped on their literally so they can give me new ones lol). If they do forget I will say they are OEM fog lights with an aftermarket switch that allows me to have them on manually.

TVISMR2 · 02-05-2010, 11:56 PM

That's a pretty good impact. There looks to be more damage in there than you might think. Just looking at it from the pictures I'd say...

bumper (obviously)
grille insert
fog lights
condenser
underbody plastics

Your lower tie bar is bent
your radiator is probably cracked
Other possible damage under the car

What insurance do you have?

1956kiteboarder · 02-06-2010, 01:10 AM

There is no such thing as a cheap fender bender on modern cars anymore.

Everything ends up being around $3,000 for a fender bender.

Some guy backed into my driver side side mirror and broke it off, but it bent the door frame....was a $2,700 repair for a new door.

BlackCamSe · 02-06-2010, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVISMR2

That's a pretty good impact. There looks to be more damage in there than you might think. Just looking at it from the pictures I'd say...

bumper (obviously)
grille insert
fog lights
condenser
underbody plastics

Your lower tie bar is bent
your radiator is probably cracked
Other possible damage under the car

What insurance do you have?

There is no such thing as a lower tie bar. There is however a inner and outer tie rod that comes out of the rack and pinion steering. I think you were referring to the lower control arm, which isn't even visible in the pictures provided. I was just in the same exact type of collision, his suspension should be fine.

BenzML · 02-06-2010, 10:00 AM

Wow, you definitely got be there. I would have never expected it to be that much, suspension seems fine but it did go off road in a field type of area according to my father so anything goes, it took my hours to rake out the mud and dirt from the front of the car car. My insurance company is Liberty Mutual, they are pretty good, my father has had them for 18 yrs or more.