They killed my Protoge !
 

Hi there

I have a problem that I need some help with please !

The story is long and arduous, but to sum it up..my car was taken for repairs (actually to remedy a problem caused by another main dealership that had given up it's franchise ). The car was not repaired and has been back to the dealership four or five times more for them to attempt to resolve the problem (engine oil leak) Anyway...after they had carried out the initial work which was still under extended warranty, they said that they had found a washer in the oil pan. They said that they did not really know what it was and that they would probably have to take the engine apart to locate where it went.
The told us that they had informed the extended warranty providers for us "in the event of a future problem" they also said that they had put the washer in the glove compartment.

This was back in October of last year. The warranty ran out at the end of that month. Yesterday while driving home after depressing the clutch we heard a clunking sound and because we were only about a mile from the house we nursed the car home and arranged for it to be towed to a local garage. The garage has just advised us that the problem was that the flywheel was hitting the engine block and causing the noise and was a result of the "thrust washer" not being replaced on the car. They further said that the dealship should not have let us drive the car away with the washer missing as this would cause obvious problems.

Please can anyone help with the following questions ?

Is this an accurate assessment ?
Should the dealership have advised us ?
Who is liable for the repair.... the oil leak still persists.

sorry to hear that.....to me, it sounds like the dealership is at fault. due to their lack of proper worksmanship, which was later revealed, there were further complications with your vehicle. you don't take your car into a dealership, of all places, to receive half assed work... you expect everything to be done perfectly, that's why you pay the premium compared to other mechanics. warranty or not, i say go after the dealer.

was just thinking, since it hasn't been too long since the repair, the dealership typically has a warranty on their work depending on the part and the service that was done. i say, call them up and ask the what the warranty is, if you can't find it on your receipt and then tell them that their's a problem with the car. don't forget....lawyers are always an option. couldn't hurt to ask your insurance agent either. might help point you in the right direction.

Thanks for the response and kind words !

I believe the dealer is totally at fault. Leaving aside the continuing oil leak problem (Which cannot now be rectified cos my engine is ruined ) . At the time they had the car first , it was still under extended warranty. I don't really know if the thrust washer is covered under the warranty ( I have been told these things do not wear out under 200, 000 miles ), but nethertheless they should have at least notified me of the dangers of taking the car in that state.