I need help. I’ve inherited a 2021 C8 mid engine corvette from my dad. The car was in an accident in February 2021. It’s been in the shop and after 15 mos final got it back. It has105 mi. After leaving repair shop we drove about 15 miles when car lost power. The temperature gauge went from normal range to far left in seconds. Pull over as soon as possible (about 1/4 mi). The car was leaking fluids from front drivers side and it smelled like something burning (oil?). I callled repair shop and was told it overheated and needs coolant and a flush. I was given a name of a shop to go to. Called for a flatbed tow. The car will not start or go into neutral. The guy puts “skates” under wheels and gets car on truck. Repair shop took a week to diagnose. I’m told that the crank shaft shifted in the accident and we need a new engine. Is this possible? Car was going approx 35 mph when it broadsided another car. Would that shift the crank shaft at that speed? Why wasn’t this picked up by insurance adjustor or body shop? I’m told there was no structural damage just front end and airbags. Should I take it to Chevy dealer for this work? I’m assuming if it was accident related the insurance will cover… right? My friends think the hoses were not properly installed and that’s why fluids leaked. Would that cause damage to the engine/crank shaft? They say that an engine can handle thatt impact and since it’s mid engine not in the front where impact was should have damage. Of course I’m frustrated after 15 mos of waiting for parts to have this happen. The repair shop said the insurance may just total it since the repairs are going to be about $70k. How would that work if they paid the body shop already? I need to contact insurance and I’m sure how they will handle this. How does the body shop prove this happened in the acciden?. Is there any way they can point finger at us and say we damaged it. I would appreciate any thoughts or suggestions on what to expect from Insurance and how to get it fixed? Anyone want to buy a red 2021 corvette stingray convertible LTE with 105 miles?

 

Sounds to me like he's trying to wash his hands of the car and get you to go away. Have the car towed to your dealer, call your insurance immediately, and stop letting this guy and his monkeys touch it. Sounds to me like your friend is correct and they did a poor job reassembling the car. I would not let anyone but the dealership touch it at this point; this is also why I now stick to dealership body shops. They body shop you used probably wasn't certified which led to the massive delays in sourcing parts.

"...an article posted to GM’s TechLink repairs website that indicates the automaker will only permit the sale of structural frame components to certified GM repair shops. That means that any Corvette C8 that requires structural repairs must be brought to a GM Collision Repair Network (CRN) or Cadillac Aluminum Repair Network (CARN) shop if the owner wishes to have it properly fixed."

https://gmauthority.com/blog/2020/06...-repair-shops/

 

All Chevrolet V8 engines have a main bearing that is designed to control crankshaft position. It's called the main thrust bearing. It would require a direct hit to damage the thrust bearing. Someone is mistaken.

Just a guess, but possibly the crankshaft position sensor was damaged during the repair or towing process. Take the car to a reputable dealer for diagnosis.

 

Let me understand this. Repair shop #1 did some body work, which apparently included dealing with some mechanical issues, like hoses. Work was complete. Insurance paid for it. When the car overheated, Repair shop #1, a body shop, sent you to Repair shop #2. Repair shop #2 says that there was additional damage, to the engine, caused by the accident, and that it will be an additional 70K to repair that additional damage caused by the accident. Right? And Repair shop #2 said your insurance company may total it. So, yeah, 1) if the insurance company will accept repair shop #2 statement that it was caused by the accident, and total it, and give you market value for the car, that's what I would do. This car will never be right. 2) If the insurance company won't do that, find out what they will offer, if anything, for repairs (assuming they accept that it was accident caused). If they offer to pay for additional repairs, have them done at a dealer. 3) Or, if the engine issue was not caused by the accident, then a dealer can fix it under warranty.