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cracked head or dealer on crack!
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Guest
Anonymous Poster
janeswatercolors@hotmail.com
Nov 10, 2006, 7:43 PM
Post #1 of 8
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cracked head or dealer on crack!
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 Help - 1997 328i BMW - 110,000 miles. Check engine light came on a year ago!! Went to dealer for routine oil service. Work completed on car (fall2005) . picked up car, and check engine light still on. Dealer said mechanic must have forgot to reset. So...........months go by. On way to work, car doesnt want to go faster than 45 mph. Anything over that, chugs and shakes, also when idling.
Car goes in for routine service - asked service to check into loss of power, etc. Also why light is on. Car tuned up, light still on. No reason given by mechanics.
Fastforward, now October 2006 - car overheats, get towed to dealer, they replace water pump and thermostat. Check engine light still on!!! SErvice manager says it is some sort of emission problem but not serious. $425.00
One month later, car overheats again, dealer says needs new radiator (and thermostat still under warranty) Another $625.00 Before they return my car, they call and say sorry, but now they think it might be the head gasket and they are willing to split the labor with me (without me asking). They pull the thing apart and call to tell me it is cracked cylinder head. My bill is now up to $5000.00. Yes, car is probably worth twice that.
My question - shouldn't they have identified this long before it got to this stage? Do I have any recourse since I have receipts for the past twelve months that show i always mentioned the check engine light as well as the rough idle and loss of power? They have had my car for almost two weeks now.
HELP Jane
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 10, 2006, 9:19 PM
Post #2 of 8
(1789 views)
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Re: cracked head or dealer on crack!
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I think you should have been asked if you wanted them to investigate the check engine light back when and I'm surprised that a dealer would give you the car back after you brought that up at getting it serviced, T
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ilovericeandmuscle
Anonymous Poster
Nov 10, 2006, 9:30 PM
Post #3 of 8
(1788 views)
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Re: cracked head or dealer on crack!
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This can't be a certified BMW service station your going to is it?If your dealing with a used car dealer or not you need to change shops,if they have a warranty agreement with you it's still not worth dealing with them if this is the service your receiving.You would have noticed more than a lack of performance when cracking a head,while overheating did you see coolant leaking fom the head or around the engine in general?
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Jane
Anonymous Poster
janeswatercolors@hotmail.com
Nov 11, 2006, 4:04 PM
Post #4 of 8
(1782 views)
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Re: cracked head or dealer on crack!
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this is the BMW dealership in Westbrook Maine. Have had all my work done here since I have owned the car but did not buy the car here (got it used three years ago). I am very angry over this but do not know enough about the mechanics of the engine to be sure of the cause and effect. All i know is that i have paid lots of money and my car is now screwed! Need to know how long someone can drive around with bad head gasket or cracked head . is it something that happens over time or immediately renders your car undrivable?
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darrin
Anonymous Poster
ga_fisherman_2000@yahoo.com
Nov 23, 2006, 1:16 PM
Post #5 of 8
(1762 views)
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Re: cracked head or dealer on crack!
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generaly happens over time. but also depends on how you use it.
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Bear505
User
Dec 2, 2006, 10:03 AM
Post #6 of 8
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Re: cracked head or dealer on crack!
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I would say both... Dealer is on Crack: The whole technology behind a "Service Engine Soon" Light is to let the operator know that "somewhere" in the numerous systems that this monitoring system covers, there is a problem. Any "good" shop is going to want their customers to be happy and have a sence of security when they leave. They should have never left the light on. They should have investigated and then alerted you if there were more problems, and more work required. Good customer service means a lot, especially with all of the competition that is out there these days.
It's possible that your head could have been cracked and drive "OK" for a while.. especially if they are aluminum, which displaces heat faster than cast iron. A small crack would simply release steam either into the combustion chamber, or into the cooling system.. if not too severe, you wouldn't even notice it.. but over time, your engine would... (like the emissions wouldn't be quite right, and your serv eng soon light would come on...)
Get a new mechanic... Love your car...ditch loyalty...
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poochie73
New User
Dec 16, 2006, 6:55 AM
Post #7 of 8
(1727 views)
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Re: cracked head or dealer on crack!
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When you took your car in for the oil change you should have told them your light was on and after your oil change if you took it back and explained to them that the light was on and they was supposed to fix it ,there should not have been any excuses if after the second time you got your car back from them and the light was still on you should have thought about getting an attorney involved and call the FCC & also the Better Business Bureau
believe me if you tell them this they probably will be offering you a free car, but do not let them get away with this, still contact a attorney.
ACIAMOND
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davis2
Novice
Dec 23, 2006, 7:49 PM
Post #8 of 8
(1709 views)
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Re: cracked head or dealer on crack!
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what will the FCC do?
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