[steakman]

RE my wifes 2001 Corolla S 4 dr.

This is my first post (here), and I'm just a tad upset...not at the forum or members...no way, but With a DEALER (STEALER)...sound familiar..??

Here is my complaint as written to AMVIC in Alberta (sort of a Govt consumers group to make sure regular folk don't get hosed.!!)

Letter to AMVIC Jan 05, 2008


Purchased Vehicle in 2004 from Canyon Creek Toyota: 13,800 CAD. @ 61500km.

Vehicle is driven 25km ea way daily from Coventry Hills to Downtown Calgary. Vehicle is garage kept and does not and has not wintered outside.

On April 02, 2007 upon bringing vehicle to CHT (Country Hills Toyota),we were informed that the motor required a new Head Gasket. Mileage was 98112km. It should be noted that we brought the vehicle in for routine maintenance only. We did not complain or voice any complaints on potential head gasket symptoms such as white smoke from tailpipe, oil in the coolant or gas in the oil in any way shape or form..!! Anyway I was surprised but for some reason had faith and trusted that what was being told to me was verbatim and we needed said repair to the tune of $1145.00. (this was conveyed at the time by cell phone)...after all this was Toyota right.?

I will note that prior to the vehicle being brought in that April day, this unit did not use or lose a drop of oil, a drop of coolant or any other fluid. It was tight.

My wife is the driver of this vehicle and as such is not mechanically inclined although she did note on more than one occasion that we needed to get the oil changed. As such and when the mileage indicated we would do so. Typically the oil was changed out at 5000km intervals. About 1 month after the "repair", we noticed that our oil needed topping off at what appeared to be a regular basis. Later in June I took the vehicle to Medicine Hat and upon returning to Calgary noticed the engine sounded quite rough. Upon arriving in the city, I stopped and checked the oil finding it almost completely dry..!! It was filled up to the correct level and after that occurrence, we checked it on a weekly basis . We did notice that at this time and upon checking weekly it used about 1/2 a Litre a week. Not thinking too much about it we continued to use the vehicle.

This past Monday AM, my wife went to start her car to find it would not start. I also tried to get it going to no avail. I had the vehicle towed to Country Hills Toyota and was told this afternoon that the engine is Blown and I need a new motor.! To say I was stunned would be a very, very mild way of putting it.! 114250km on the odometer.

I mentioned to the service advisor that we had recently had the head gasket changed and might that have been the cause of this latest incident.? and his reply was that "well with a new gasket, the compression is back up to where it should have been and the renewed high pressure likely wore out the rings and now there is oil blowing past the rings and the valves and to fix it is more that a used or rebuilt motor would cost". I find that very, very convenient to say the least (and I don't buy this explanation one bit.!!!).

It was interesting to note that upon the service advisor informing me of the conditions of the motor, he was very quickly changing the subject and telling me of "such a deal" he could make on an installed used motor (3750.00+GST) or a rebuilt (5000.00+GST).

Quite telling is the fact that as far as I am concerned, this "repair" is still under warranty yet that was shoved aside with their incomprehensible explanation as to why the motor is cooked.!. So it seems that they will use anything to deflect the cause of the now blown engine just to limit their liability or culpability and the push to sell a new or rebuilt motor is in the forefront.

I'm sorry but something stinks here. The current mileage is 114,000 and I have a blown motor..?? After only 16,000km my engine that just had a new head gasket installed is now blown.???

One would think that given such an event, the Service Manager might, just might come and speak to you to explain this..?? That Never happened. Nor did the Shop Foreman come over to explain. I Guess I'm dreaming for decent customer service here..?? all very telling in my opinion.

If there where other conditions apparent at the time of the head gasket needing replacement, I should have been informed. If the rings were worn, I should have been informed. If by replacing said head gasket I should have been foretold that it might cause other problems in short order. That NEVER Happened.

I feel completely SCREWED here. It seems to me that this was a bogus head gasket replacement. Done to ensure that when future problems cropped up I would be forced to return for some major and costly repairs.

:cursin:

AMVIC asked me what I thought should happen: My reply is as follows.

I am having this vehicle towed to an independant shop that specializes in repairing Asian Manufactured Vehicles. He is also a member of AMVIC. I shall await his report as to the state of the motor.

When one purchases a vehicle or has a reapir done, there is a reasonable expectation of reliability and as such implied warranty. In other words the repair should last a significant period of time. In this case the opposite has occurred.

I will state in a court of law & under oath that at no time prior to this "repair" being done did this motor exhibit any symptoms of head gasket issues nor did it ever lose or use a drop of engine oil or any other fluid for that matter with the exception of WWasher fluid..!! I will also state in the same court of law that oil loss issues began after this repair and got worse over time.

I believe that whatever Country Hills Toyota did during said repair ultimately led to the condition of the engine in it's current state.

As such and when this engine is repaired or replaced, Country Hills Toyota and Toyota Canada should be held financially responsible.

comments....?

rgds / hello / hell of a way to start on a new forum but I'm no neub to vehicles or to hassles with Dealers. Dealers are not in any way shape or form interested in you or your vehicle...they are interested in your money. Period.:thumbdown

stk

 

[FoxProGT]

Thats really sucks hard man..... i hope they get whats coming to them if they really did sabotage your car like that..... stick it to them real good!. good luck in your case.

 

[PhatRoyale]

That's really unfortunate.... did you try seeking the help of a lawyer perhaps?

One who specializes in dealing with automotive cases.

 

[toyomoho]

In itself correcting a blown head gasket should not cause the engine to burn excessive oil. It is possible the blown head gasket allowed coolant water into the cylinder and thus caused premature wear. Was the engine loosing coolant before the head gasket was replaced? If so, when the engine is torn down the cylinders can be inspected.

Was the engine leaking oil, it is very possible an engine could have a slow leak that over a few weeks, a month cause enough oil to leak and as a result engine problems. Was the engine leaking oil, perhaps only when the engine was on? Take a look at the engine for oil leaks, perhaps around the valve cover and head gasket areas, as this is the area that was worked on.

Raise your concerns to a higher level at Toyota; they have a 1-800 number for customer support.

 

[steakman]

I appreciate the support guys. There are certain times that I have become LIVID...This certainly was one of them. Being a Fan of Phil Edmonston and the lemonaide guide. I have my plan in front of me. I plan to tow the unit this morning, and at the same go to speak with CHT Service manager and let him know I am quite dissapointed in the end results. We shall see what they have to say.

Should note they quoted me 4k for a used (6mo warranty) and almost 6k for rebuilt w/1yr warranty. Sounds pretty steep to me. Damn near put a new Duramax in my truck for that.! well maybe half a one..LOL (it's an LBZ 3rd gen and @ 120,000km - has NO Issues - and I LOVE it.!!)

Anyway, I will also note that the independant quoted me 2k for a good used installed. So we know who is hosing who.

As for signs that the engine was losing oil prior to the head gasket being replaced. There were simply none. The motor compartment and the motor itself was clean and kept that way with occasional washes. There were never any signs in the garage of oil drips AT ALL on the floor. And as i noted one could do an oil change and after 5k the dip stick would show full. It simply did not burn, lose or use oil.!...prior to this day.

I mean, we went in that day 10 months ago for an oil change and had the brakes checked.

here is the breakdown of what I paid that day:

#1
Change oil & filter
Check all lights, belts & hoses
check steering & relatd components
check front/rear brakes
rotate tires and road test $ 101.18

# 2
Fuel flush (EFI flush) 129.95

#3
Syunthetic oil Change 67.38

#4
Rear brake shoes
Deglaze drums / replace shoes/lube hrdware 69.00

#5
Machine rear drums 69.00

#6
Brake fluid flush 81.00

#7
power steering fluid flush 59.95

#8
Misc engine repair (Hd gasket) 1143.41

Total $ 1869.19

I think I got HOSED that DAY..BIG TIME. That is, in my humble opinion a lot of money for routine maintenance.!!


I must say that after spending some time reading last night on this forum, I am floored by what appears to be a common issue with these model/year of cars and that is that they all appear to be oil Burners.!! *** SCRAP...I hate to say it but that is what is running in my mind.

This episode leaves me with a very foul taste in my mouth for Toyota.

Rgds,

stk

 

[Flashmn]

Guess what, if you cant do the job yourself, you're in no situation to complain.

If you dont like to pay the price, go somewhere else or do it yourself.
Granted 1000bucks is high, EFI-flush wtf is that anyways, however you agreed for the service.

As for the story in OP's first post... it sounds quite something...
LOL @ "well with a new gasket, the compression is back up to where it should have been and the renewed high pressure likely wore out the rings and now there is oil blowing past the rings and the valves and to fix it is more that a used or rebuilt motor would cost".

I love that explanation, infact I'm gonna use it next time... I bet I'd lose my teeth fast

Oh and another thing, Dealerships wouldnt (atleast shouldnt) deal with used engines, atleast over here, you wont be able to get a used engine installed at the dealership, they'd ALWAYS sell you a brand new crate engine.

 

[steakman]

Guess what, if you cant do the job yourself, you're in no situation to complain.

If you dont like to pay the price, go somewhere else or do it yourself

Flashman: I have no argument with your comments regarding what I payed that day for the "other service"

No question, if the price is too high take it somewhere else..absolutely. I can garantee you that will never happen again. EVER.

But I still think I got screwed re the head gasket and the end result 16,000 km later. I don't buy their explanation one bit.

The vehicle is being picked up as I write and brought over to a recommended independant and he is going to look the motor over, give me his opinion (I await that with bated breath.!). At that time I'll decide which way to go. As I noted he quoted me 2grand installed for either a used or rebuilt..can't recall which but a far cry from what the stealer quoted. Bottom line is we need that vehicle and 2k beats buying another decent used car by a long shot...so fix it, I likely will.

I learn from my mistakes...this one was costly, but learn I have and I will never again go to a "dealer". They are just an open door with a cash register...nothing more nothing less.

As an aside, My D'max has never seen the inside of a dealership: I do all my own maintenance and do it regular and do it right.

see my "garage" at www.dieselplace.com if you're interested. same handle.

stay tuned..!!:naughty:

cheers,

stk

 

[Flashmn]

I didnt mean to come off like the asshole that I am, for that I apologize

But I still think I got screwed re the head gasket and the end result 16,000 km later. I don't buy their explanation one bit.

Yes I think so too. Nor do I.

Was it an official toyota dealership? If so I'd write a letter to toyota motor corp. USA about that particular dealership.

 

[steakman]

Flashman...No sweat...am Welder/fitter by Trade some 30+ YRS. and gee, I've never heard that language in my life..(sic). If ya believe that, I got a corolla to sell ya..!! LOL..!!

Actually now am Southern Alberta/Interior of BC rep for ESAB...you might have heard of em.? :naughty: as well sell some PEMA mek stuff too.

...having a ball working for these guys..awsome company....at least in Canada.

Yea, I'll send toyota a letter for sure.

Later,

Stk

 

[steakman]

Update

Got a call from AMVIC today: They want copies of all the invoices that Dealer gave me. Faxed them over. Seems an investigator is on the case. Good. He can tell the dealer I'll see em in court.

History has shown that Judges rarely if ever find for the manufacturers or Dealers when it comes to implied warranty and things like this. So let's have at er.

Secondly the independant that I went to found a used engine in BC with 17,000 km on it.! wow, damned near new at that.! All installed with GST for 2700. Ya gotta like that.!

stk