Below is a timeline of events related to the damage of my Toyota Camry at the hands of L&A Engine Rebuilders. I never received any compensation. I have had the car examined by three independent mechanics and they all agree that based upon my timeline, L&A acted in bad faith on several occasions, the result being severe damage to the engine of my car. I gave L&A ample opportunity to repair the damages, but they refused saying the warranty was void due to my negligence.
After speaking to my mechanics and my Lawyer, I believe I committed no negligent act nor would L&A be able to prove such in a court of law. I have also been informed that local small claims courts are very likely to rule in my favor if I pursue this matter through that route. Judges apparently have little sympathy for discount garages, especially if prior complaints have ever been made. If I go to court, I plan to sue for the following:
1. The cost of the original rebuild - $2500
2. The cost of all repairs due to that defective rebuild - estimated at $2600
3. Use of a rental car while my car was at L&A thought they had no intent to fulfill the warranty - $100
4. Missed work and time spent dealing with this matter - 20 hours at $40 per hour - $800
5. Aggravation and suffering necessitating medical care - $2000
Total - $8000
However I am willing to offer a one time opportunity to dismiss this claim if L&A will agree to pay for the necessary repairs to my car, totaling about $2500 (exact bill to be submitted). It is no longer an option for L&A to do the repairs themselves as I have immediate need for the car and you have already denied me service under my warranty. Repairs are thus already underway. This offer will expire in 30 days, at which time I will file the necessary papers to initiate a lawsuit.
TIMELINE - there are receipts from numerous sources to document this timeline (including L&A, Juan' s Mower Repair (installed CC at LA recommendation), Jiffy lube (flushed radiator), Bruce's auto (replaced radiator and water pump). Oil leak was also inspected at oil change shop.
7/03 - engine rebuilt, new crankshaft installed, radiator is rusty and allegedly rodded out; no further work is recommended; car runs fine after rebuild, but it never is top-notch. Concerns expressed at 500 mile checkup about this are dismissed as due to it being an old car.
4/27/04 - After 6000 miles, engine temperature elevates slightly above normal (but nowhere near the red zone); I check coolant and it is low and rusty; replace coolant and drive car to rebuilder. Rebuilder checks exhaust by covering tailpipe with her hand and says catalytic converter is bad; performs no other inspection, except says to flush radiator.
4/27/04 - CC replaced; coolant is changed; radiator flushed.
4/30/04 - car overheats badly only one time (into red zone) and not driven again until repairs. Mechanic replaces radiator and water pump
5/10 - car runs OK after service for about 1 week, but begins to blow smoke from tailpipe, run rough at idle and leaks oil visibly
5/12/04 - rebuilder agrees to fix oil leak under warranty; 3 days rental car
5/15/04 - rebuilder returns car and says they have no time to fix it right now. Says oil leak is not that bad; she says its OK to drive;
5/18/04 - car overheats (but not to red); tailpipe cracks at CC weld and coolant leaks; mechanic says head gasket is now blown
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