B84RADR

'85 A/T.

There is a small but long 'Y' pipe from the air pump and it splits and extends to both sides of the exhaust system.

Maybe it's called a head pipe or maybe even a 'Y Pipe'. It's not a big pipe, like the main 'Y' pipe of the exhaust that hooks to the mufflers.

This 'Y' pipe was discovered to have a hole in it when my shop is replacing the head gasket. So hopefully that gives a general idea around where this pipe is located. If you guys need me to, I can get a digital camera and take it to the lot and get a close-up.

Here's the SUCK part. Besides the head gasket costing upwards of $2000 to fix (mostly labor), just last week someone broke onto the lot and busted into 7 cars, mine included. They busted out the lock, in the process of prying the lock out of the handle they used the fiberglass surrounding it for leverage, busting the hell out of it, the handle and the paint.

The only things these low lifes took from all 7 vehicles was spare change.

It just breaks my heart to see my baby hurt. Then to add insult to injury: The repair guys, whom I have a great relationship with and have always been very honest with me, say "We have a sign that says we aren't responsible" and says that I am completely responsible for it. They hand it to me entirely. We're talking about $600-700 damage.

I don't think I am. I think I'm going to fight it, but I'm not sure on what technical grounds yet. Doesn't it seems like they should have liability? :confused: When the car is under my care, it's parked in a garage. I trusted it to these guys to take care of and while in their care, it was damaged. If I decide to do something about this, I unfortunately can feel small claims coming. :boxing

Worse yet, when I called my insurance to make a claim, they told me I don't have comprehensive on it. Incredible. I thought for sure I had because I recently had a loan on the car. Banks don't loan money to people that don't have comprehensive insurance. They require it. But this somehow slipped through the cracks. Yuk. Well needless to say, I've since added the comprehensive. :cuss

What do you guys think?

Thanks a lot.

Shayne Spackman




[Modified by sspackman, 2:48 AM 10/23/2002]

Reneiria

You'd think that at those labor rates the outfit could afford insurance to cover their customers cars while under their control. :mad The "right" thing for them to do is repair the damage for you. I'm sure their costs to do so are less than what you will pay. I don't think you will do well at small claims but I don't think I'd do business with that shop again.

ROME

Sometimes you're the windshield, sometimes you're the bug bro. Maintain a good insurance policy is about the only lesson to be learned from this situation. I think I'll double check my comprehensive as well :eek: If passive isn't satisfying enough, you could always blow off some steam by fillabustering the lot owner :D Make him pay for his complacent irresponsibility :jester

Ramrod92

While they may not be responsible for anything left in the car, they are responsible for any damage to the car while they have it. For $700 it probably it's worth getting a lawyer, so tell them you'll go to small claims court if they don't take care of it. :smash:

Mez

For the damage at the shop, contact your insurance company and let them handle it. That's why you pay insurance.

War Machine

Damn! I don't know what else to say but Sorry to hear! I'd definately look into getting an attorney. I'm double checking my policy asap!

Black87c4

Doesn't matter what they say or what sign they have they are responsible for the damage to your car. Might take small claims court but there's no way I'd pay the deductable or take the insurance hit on that one.

USCZBT

I believe the part you are referring to is the Air Injection check valve pipe, referred to in the catalog as "PIPE, AIR INJ ENG CHK VLV" #14100852; the old fiche I have shows that that part number was dicontinued, but maybe it was superceded with another #. Good luck and sorry to hear about the damage to your car.

ZylaRace

It depends on the local laws. I think you will find that, that posting that sign absolves them of responsisbility.
Kinda like parking at the mall. Is the mall liable for door dings?
This would be an easy lawyer Q.

his touch

I think I will post a sign at my house saying I am not responsible for dog bites. Will that relieve me of the responsibility if my dog bites someone?
Posting a sign does not relieve them of responsibility, otherwise they could just leave the keys in the car. A supermarket has signs saying theyare not responsible for damage from carts, but if youfile a claim youwill get paid.

Find out who their insurance company is and file a claim with them on your own. Attach a copy of the police report.

Ron

fullboogie

Somebody asked for input from a lawyer, so here it goes:

This situation is called a bailor/bailee relationship. Unless there is a local law to the contrary (not likely), the shop, as custodian of this guy's car, IS responsible for any damage to it while it's in their possession. They can post all the signs they want, but it doesn't change their responsibility.

Here's the catch - the shop's insurance policy probably has a provision that absolves them of paying any claims if the damage is caused by a third party, in this case the burglar. So my advice is this: if you've got a "good relationship" with these guys, tell them to chip in on the repairs, or you'll take you business and your money elsewhere. And while you're at it, you'll tell every living soul within a 100 mile radius to do the same thing.




[Modified by fullboogie, 1:47 PM 10/23/2002]

jparr

SSpackman i have been there done that!! MY 90 beretta gtz was broke into and the shop told me it was not there fault.I looked into every thing i could do and there is basically nothing jus turn it over to your ins and let them fix it. I know what your going thru and it sux big 1's JAY :mad

Ramanstud

any word on the lawyer yet? If memory serves, those "acceptance of liabilty" waivers people always sign (or the 'not responsible for' signs) are vulnerable if you can prove negligence on the shop's part. Maybe there wasn't adequate security in a high-crime part of town, etc. A parable is the "if I die" clause for skydivers. Everybody has to sign one, but if you bounce and your kin can prove it was negligence on the business's part (Who packed the chute? I didn't pack it- did you?), then you can still bend them over your proverbial car.

Definitely raise hell with the owner and promise scathing reviews to every medium you can get your hands on: internet forums, Better Business Beuro, car shows... they might change their minds.

:mad:

`luck, man

B84RADR

Thanks a lot for all of the responses. Everyone that wrote is really cool!

I am thinking that I will look a lot closer at what my responsibility is and theirs. Do you guys know what it takes to get into the door to replace the lock on a Vette? I've done it on my Mazda 626 I used to have a long time ago, and it was no big deal, but I think I remember reading that Corvettes are a whole different story when you are getting into the door.

L8R--

Shayne

MrNuke

I'd be collecting bricks.. :jester ... And working on my long throws.. :D