Dealer blew my engine.





The fact is, the car can be repaired even if the only thing left was a steering wheel! But, as at least one poster said, you will think about it every time you go out to the car.
The other fact is you think this is the go-to Corvette dealer in town; I say it is not the one to go to, along with several others who say the same.
There are lots of cars out there that will match what you want; I'm with the "go find it" voices. Again. Get some compensation beyond the full value/return of your money spent for the new search you will now have to do.
Period.
Being what they did, not only does the motor have to be replaced, but all the cooler lines and coolers as well (can not just flush the crap out of them).
Also to add, when they pulled the cover off the valve cover, they snapped the plastic locks off the valve cover pieces (its not a oil filler cap), so not only metal parts in the cooler and cooler lines from when they hydro locked the motor with the bottom of the pistons slapping in oil , but now plastic pieces as well.
Bluntly put, the Service history report when they replace the motor, cooler and cooler line is going to read like a nightmare when you go to sell the car, and going to take a huge, huge hit on is resale value.
And trust me, if a dealer did this with a vet that someone owned, they would be writing a check for the full resale value of the car to buy it from the owner isntead. The reason, when someone buys a vet, the first thing they need to look at is the Service history to see what repairs where made, and if it a nightmare/lemon law car that they are getting yourself into to begin with.
So even with a new motor, coolers and cooler lines, the Service history on the car with such repairs, greatly depreciates it value to being with.
gl
Being what they did, not only does the motor have to be replaced, but all the cooler lines and coolers as well (can not just flush the crap out of them).
Also to add, when they pulled the cover off the valve cover, they snapped the plastic locks off the valve cover pieces (its not a oil filler cap), so not only metal parts in the cooler and cooler lines from when they hydro locked the motor with the bottom of the pistons slapping in oil , but now plastic pieces as well.
Bluntly put, the Service history report when they replace the motor, cooler and cooler line is going to read like a nightmare when you go to sell the car, and going to take a huge, huge hit on is resale value.
And trust me, if a dealer did this with a vet that someone owned, they would be writing a check for the full resale value of the car to buy it from the owner isntead. The reason, when someone buys a vet, the first thing they need to look at is the Service history to see what repairs where made, and if it a nightmare/lemon law car that they are getting yourself into to begin with.
So even with a new motor, coolers and cooler lines, the Service history on the car with such repairs, greatly depreciates it value to being with.
I stopped in today to see about a loaner car. Yesterday I was in no mood to talk about anything. Jim told me the owner of the dealerships, which he owns a few so not a small time chump, is very upset this happened and wants to make it right. So to me, making it right is doing what is right and replacing everything that should be replaced. Coolers, hoses, whatever could cause future problems. If he doesn't, I've decided and my wife agrees, we walk, period! No discussion, no nothing! I will take my money somewhere else! I will stand by that.
Last edited by Rjhctrapp; May 2, 2016 at 12:37 AM.
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
When you go to sell the car, someone is going to pull the service history of the car, and it's going to be a nightmare to depreciate the resale value with all the parts that had to be replaced when the engine was blown. Hell, even with GM dealer doing all the work, you can still end up with a lemon after the repairs are completed (just too many items have to be pulled and put back in to complete the needed repairs).
Bluntly put, when you are shopping for a Vet, you want one bone stock, and one with a clean service history report. On the service history, you will see the normal checks, and even recalls being completed, but when it goes deeper than this, the resale price of the Vet starts dropping like a rock isntead. A/C problems and they had to pull the dash to make repairs, resale price starts dropping. Blown motor, run away from the car, since the needed repairs are extensive, and just too many items that could have been reassembly incorrectly when everything was put back together.
Bluntly, even with all the work done correctly, due to the service history on the car when completed for a replacement motor, the car just took a $10K hit in resale value (and still need to find someone that will buy the car with such service history to begin with).
So as noted, walk away from the sale/car, and go find another one with a clean service history instead; leaving the dealer to find someone to sell the car with a checkered service history instead.
It's going to need a clutch or brakes someday so I need to be prepared anyway.
I'll keep you informed.
Also I have a call in to Pete at Legendary Motor Cars as I highly value his opinion on devalue and if I should make sure the bar code bolt goes into the new crate engine. I assume you guys know how that bolt works.
Thanks again.
My wife's BMW at 30k miles had the entire head assembly (straight 6) replaced because of a known head defect. It now has 74k flawless miles. The best part is the top end of the engine only has 44k miles. If anything, that adds value to the car.
Last edited by Mike's LS3; May 2, 2016 at 10:24 PM.
Thanks again.
But...don't sign the loan papers until the car is ready. Talk to Dan at Corvette's of Auburn and ask him if he will inspect the replacement work...for a fee...paid for by the damaging dealer, of course.
Good luck...
But...don't sign the loan papers until the car is ready. Talk to Dan at Corvette's of Auburn and ask him if he will inspect the replacement work...for a fee...paid for by the damaging dealer, of course.
Good luck...

I went to the Chevy dealer. Dwayne Lane Chevrolet in Arlington. Brand newly built state of the art facility. Rich the service manager seems like a great person. We will see when I get the car back. Still waiting for Pete's response at Legondary Motor Cars on the devalue issue.
The new engine carries a 3 year 100,000 mile warranty! I thought it was 2/50k. Dwayne Lane will be doing all the servicing of the car, break in oil change, all changes after that to keep the warranty intact.
They all say they have the best corvette techs, but the proof shall soon be known.
Rairdons Dodge of Marysville is the selling dealer, they are all sick about it as much as I am. The owner, as far as I'm concerned is a stand up person. I will inform Rich at Dwayne Lanes that you all are watching to see the finished product and if top notch, he will be the go to vette shop. Mean while, if your in the market for a Dodge, don't hesitate to go see anyone of the guys at Rairdons. I bought my 2005 Ram 2500 there new in 05, still have it. This is the 8th vehicle our family has bought from them, service department, ok. They have one seasoned tech who is also an avid vette enthusiast who they called in yesterday to look at my car, he immediately said send it up the street to Dwayne Lanes. Catastrophic failure. The lube tech may not have a job after tomorrow but that's on him for not telling someone, he did not know what he was doing and had never done a dry sump oil change before. I've been wrenching for 30 plus years and do not hesitate to let someone know when I've never done a particular job before.
I hope he learned something from what happened.
Anyway, thank you guys for all the opinions and support. Best community ever.






















