My car was giving me issues. It was making a noise that I thought was an exhaust leak, or a hole in my muffler. It also had a pause and kick forward when changing from reverse to drive.
I had a mechanic friend check my vehicle because it was making a noise that I believed to be an exhaust leak. He checked my vehicle on 10-20-10, and checked all fluids. He said my coolant was a little low (reservoir only, not in the radiator) and asked if I had added oil to my engine. I stated that I did not. He said I had over the amount of oil needed in my car. He said that the noise he thought was a timing chain. He did not do engine repair, so he told me to take it to an engine specialist.
I remembered that I had my extended warranty, and called National Auto Care to ask if timing chain was a covered part. I was told it was. So I took my vehicle to my local Nissan Dealership on 10-25-10. I told the manager of the service department about my car being checked out the week prior. I explained the noise, and I also explained about a pause and kick forward when the car was put from reverse to drive. The lady at the dealership said they would contact National Auto Care about the repairs, after their diagnosis.
The Nissan dealership called me and told me that the engine had no oil in it. They said that there was barely any oil on the dipstick, and there was a leak coming from the oil pan and the valve cover. They said that also they believed that I did need a new timing chain, and that I needed a new cv axle, and that the tie rods were loose. They had contacted National Auto Care to send out an adjuster. They said it would be until 10-26-10 that an adjuster would be there.
On 10-26-10, I heard from the Nissan dealership. She told me that the adjuster had come out, and that since I brought the car to the dealership with no oil in it, that National Auto Care would not pay for the engine repairs. They would however, cover the repairs to the cv axles and tie rods. I contacted National Auto Care and spoke with Jon. Jon said that since I did not do the regular maintenance on the car and keep oil in the engine, that voided the engine part of the warranty. Later that day, the adjuster went back out to the Nissan dealership before closing, and took a photo of the dipstick (per service manager). I told him that I had records of all my oil changes, and faxed the information to him on 10-27-10. According to Jon, him and a supervisor had reviewed the maintenance records and their decision to deny the coverage stands. At this point he was being a real jerk and said that I was negligent and did not perform the required maintenance.
I had my mechanic friend write a statement that there was more than enough oil in the engine when he inspected the vehicle. They still denied the claim. So I called a few mechanics getting quotes on timing chain repair. A mechanic that I spoke to also dealt with National Auto Care, and said that I might benefit from a second opinion. Also I did not like the way I was treated at the Nissan dealership. I felt that they were working on behalf of National Auto Care. I had my car towed to another auto repair shop, because I thought there was no oil in my engine, and I didn't want any further damage.
The new auto repair shop inspected my vehicle and said that I was only 1/2 quart low in oil, and that the engine had oil in it. The shop had called National Auto Care, and got the same treatment that I got. They were very rude. National Auto Care stated that they already authorized the Nissan dealership to do the work. They also said they would have to send an adjuster back out to inspect the vehicle. Upon arriving, the new auto repair shop told the adjuster that the engine was only 1/2 quart low on oil, and that the engine was not dry. The adjuster ignored the comment and only spoke of the repairs for the cv axle and tie rods. He said he would have to wait till he went back to his office, and speak to a supervisor and call the shop back to let them know what was covered.
I heard from the new auto shop that again, the engine repair was denied, but they would cover the cv axle and tie rods. I had oil in my engine. I have done what they asked and provided all the maintenance records. I got a second opinion, and proved that my engine was not bone dry, and that I did have oil in my engine. My engine repair should be covered! I paid $1800 for this warranty. If they are not going to cover everything as they state, then I want my money back.
I am a single mom and can't afford $1000 in major engine repair that should have been covered in the first place. This is ridiculous!
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