I own a 2001 Highland v6 with 43K miles on it. I just bought the car Jan 2013. Around mid Feb I was back at the same dealer ship where I bought the car from reporting oil pressure light coming on while braking. They checked the oil level and reported it was low so they topped it off and would like an oil consumption test. They asked me to come back in 1200 miles. The light came back on after 1000 miles so I went back to the dealer. On the way to the dealer the car started miss firing so I stopped by a closer dealer (let’s call him dealer B). Dealer B said same thing oil level was low and one of the spark plugs had burned oil residue so we replaced the spark plug. One the way back from dealer B the car almost died on me so I called Dealer B and told him that I will be dropping off the car tomorrow morning so they can look at it further. Originally when I bought the car I purchased 2 year 24K engine warranty.
Next day I went back to Dealer B with my car misfiring. The Dealer B calls back saying well they have to open up the engine to further diagnose the problem and it will cost around $800. I said that’s fine but check with the warranty company. He did and they opened the engine. Two of the valves were completely burnt and one of them was actually chipped I guess hence the misfire. Now the dealer B tells me the warranty company has denied my claim as damage caused by Carbon build up is not covered. I called Dealer A (who sold me the car) and spoke with the general manager and he said he will make some calls to the warranty company. This past Friday I actually went onsite to meet with him and he said claim is actually pending since the piston rings were not visible when the adjuster went onsite to look at the car (which is true as I went in to see the car they only have valve heads visible). I called Dealer B and told him to make the piston rings visible.
Now I have two questions.
1. What would cause the carbon build up on 43K miles car. My guess is oil leaking from Piston rings or from gasket. There is no oil leaks from the engine so it is buring oil and causing carbon buildup.
2. If the carbon buildup is caused due to a failed oil ring shouldn’t the warranty company cover the damages?
3. Is Dealer B trying to scam me? Shouldn’t he have opened up the piston rings in the first place to figure out what caused the carbon build up?
Next day I went back to Dealer B with my car misfiring. The Dealer B calls back saying well they have to open up the engine to further diagnose the problem and it will cost around $800. I said that’s fine but check with the warranty company. He did and they opened the engine. Two of the valves were completely burnt and one of them was actually chipped I guess hence the misfire. Now the dealer B tells me the warranty company has denied my claim as damage caused by Carbon build up is not covered. I called Dealer A (who sold me the car) and spoke with the general manager and he said he will make some calls to the warranty company. This past Friday I actually went onsite to meet with him and he said claim is actually pending since the piston rings were not visible when the adjuster went onsite to look at the car (which is true as I went in to see the car they only have valve heads visible). I called Dealer B and told him to make the piston rings visible.
Now I have two questions.
1. What would cause the carbon build up on 43K miles car. My guess is oil leaking from Piston rings or from gasket. There is no oil leaks from the engine so it is buring oil and causing carbon buildup.
2. If the carbon buildup is caused due to a failed oil ring shouldn’t the warranty company cover the damages?
3. Is Dealer B trying to scam me? Shouldn’t he have opened up the piston rings in the first place to figure out what caused the carbon build up?
