I was involved in an accident back in june 2006. There was no other party, just me and my car and a curb. I ran my car into a curb and the left front end was damaged, my car was also sitting on the curb resting probably on the engine or transmission. so i called my insurance, and found a nearby shop called Reliance Auto, in san jose. The shop spent a few weeks on the repair, and i got the car back and have been driving it since.

In october, i changed my oil and realized that the oil pan was dented in almost all the way, but i didnt have it repaired yet because it seemed not to have affected much.

Janurary 2007, i found that my transmission was leaking very slowly between a gap, probably the gasket was bad or something; also my left suspension was making some pretty loud noise. So i finally called the shop that fixed my car before, and they told me to bring the car in when i can, and i brought the car in early feburary.

They fixed the left suspension on the spot, told me that the plate that was holding the spring moved out of place because my progress springs are shorter than normal, and that it happens. I asked them about my transmission and they asked me to leave the car there, they'll call my insurance and add the claim on to the existing one from last summer. But then they didnt have a car i could borrow, so i decided to bring the car in when they have a car ready for me.

last saturday, i brought my car in and lent me a kia spectra. They called me on wednesday, told me that they brought the car to capitol mitsubishi dealer, and they were told that my entire engine had to be replaced, but they didnt give me much details yet, all they said was it would be around $5k damage.

Now the problem is, my insurance already paid $8k to repair the damage last summer, and i doubt if they would pay another $5k to fix it this time. They might end up totaling it because my car probably worths only around 8.5k. But then they might not pay me full price for the car since they already paid $8k.... what do u guys think would be the best solution? should i raise hell with the shop for having missed the engine damage and hold them responsible to watever the insurance is unable to cover? and what do you guys think the insurance would do?

 

I don't think you need to replace the whole engine if the damage is only related to the tranny. I smell something fishy here......if i were you, i would get the car checked by private mechanic and find out if the dealership if just trying you rip you off.

 

Definitely get a second and third estimate IN WRITING! Be up front and explain the entire situation to the other places you take it to (I wouldn't mention any shop names though...that could be interpreted as bad-mouthing them). Ask them to verify the damage, provide a written estimate, and if possible state that it could have been caused by the previous accident. That's at least a good start.

 

Any entire G94 engine & tranny can be source for probably less than $1k. Can you do the work yourself?

 

wouldn't the insurance adjustor have noted all the possible problems with the car for the shop to check? although the shop that you went to seemed to specialize on body/suspension, thus may have had no knowledge on the transmission/engine.

I would try and speak to the insurance and ask what options i have since it seems that this may cost a lot of money when you could just get a new car. i'd rather get a new car to ensure that everything is good on the car rather than a repaired car that could still have faults.

 

The big issues with getting a new car are that he may owe more than the insurance company says it's worth (unless it's paid off or he has gap insurance), and they may count the previous repair into the equation when they calcuate how much they'd pay out for totaling it. I do agree that you need to talk to the insurance company to see how they would handle it, and don't let them push you around...if it seems like they're trying to pull a fast one on you, ask to speak to a supervisor. But also, I'd still go ahead and get a couple more estimates from other shops...

 

I think your allowed up to a year to make a claim with insurance companies. Doesn't seem right the adjuster missed the damage.