Well I had a major problem about 3 months ago I blew a head gasket because the radiator stopped working and the car overheated, guess the gasket did its job. So, I took it to the local Buick dealership and now after $3500 in repairs I finally got my car back and took it for a test drive but the car wasn’t running like it had before. I parked it for a couple of days and decided to give it another shot. So, I took my Buick for another test drive (the 2nd time) and believe it or not it threw a rod, it didn’t even have 40 miles on. I just drove it normal nothing fast and it just started making a noise it started out quiet but then it got really loud I am sure it is a rod I will find out in a couple of days what it is for sure. They charged me $3500 and I got to drive it twice. And if that wasn't enough I just had a new paint job put on the car and they put a tarp over half of it and left it outside to say the least the paint is ruined. I think they will tell me that it wasn’t their fault because they didn’t work on the bottom end, but they did take the engine out and cleaned and supposedly tuned it up for me. I was wandering if anyone knows what might have caused this? All I can think is that it was running way too lean and too much boost. Is their any way to prove what exactly caused it? Anyway, if anyone would get back to me and give me their educated opinion on this I would appreciate it very much
First, 'throwing' a rod generally refers to a rod which has broken in two (or more) pieces and often times ejects all or part of itself through the side of the block. From your description, I doubt you've 'thrown a rod'. That would look a little like http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/pictureguides/blocks/DOTC.html only not quite so much damage. J
Given your description, it could be a rod or main bearing failure. This type of failure could be accelerated by severe overheating. It could also be accelerated by starting a motor without proper oil pump priming. If they had the motor out of the car, this may be an issue.
Until you know precisely what the problem is, its very hard to say who's fault it is and why it happened. I would say $3500 for a head gasket change is hard to believe. A head gasket change should not require engine removal. I think knowing all of what they did in detail, as well as the mileage of your car, its modifications, and how its been used/treated will help understand what may have happened.
You did not mention where you are, but it would be worthwhile to seek the aid of a shop in your area specializing in work on these cars or a person who has extensive knowledge about them. It might have been best to start with that sort of assistance. With so few of these cars made, their age, and so few being left, not all dealer mechanics will have the experience and expertise to address their peculiarities properly. (Though I am fortunate to know many that do, because they are TR owners as well.)
How do you get $3500.00 out of replacing a head gasket. I need to come out
of retirement. They could have rebuilt the complete motor for that much
money.
When you blew the head gasket, and if antifreeze got in to the oil, it would
destroy your bearings.
The guy who repaired the engine should have known this and took the necessary measures to protect the engine.
He pulled the engine apart, he could tell it the antifreeze had mixed with
the oil. He should have checked the bearings and changed the oil.
Well, I do when I blow a head gasket.
This sounds like another sad I took it to the dealer story. Sounds like you have a rod knocking and has not yet left the building as scott said, however be sure that it will if your driving it. Being a mechanic and seen alot (nobody has seen it all) its quite poss that a major overheat could help a already borderline clearenced bearing take a turn to the dark side, and yes running it with contaminated oil would acelerate this rapidly. The exact cause or who is to blame you may get a good idea after reading thease last few threads from Scott, Melvin, and myself, but proving it is a whole different thing. But one thing I can say for sure is there is no freekin way that job should have costed that much! Half of that would be a too much. Mail me your official dealer recipt. They had to do somthing other than " clean up a bit" just curious
I own an automotive repair shop.
If the dealer tech used Rollock abrasive pads to clean head & intake surfaces the silicate in the pads gets in the oiling system & causes premature bearing failure. There is a factory buliten on this problem. Take a small sample of the oil off the bottom of the pan to a lab & have them look for silicates. If found the dealer owes you an engine repair at no cost to you. Good luck
Gene