My check engine light came on sat morning. My gas cap was
not on, and had gotten gas the night before and guy must have not twisted it on
all the way, so i figure that's why check engine light was on, but I made
appointment to have the car checked at the dealership anyways, just to be sure.
Sunday night I was on the highway, going to meet friends at
the movies, and I heard a noise (sounded like something was flapping around in
the engine in the wind) then it stopped, and my battery light came on. I
couldn't turn the wheel very well so I figure it has something to do with power
steering. I was about 5 exits (about 15 minutes) from home, so I turned around
and headed home. I watched the temp gauge to make sure it was ok, made it home
and figured I'd look at it in the morning.
Monday morning I open my hood to see a shredded and snapped
belt... Had it towed to my mechanic, who replaces the belt. He notices my
coolant is low, so he adds some and starts car. I guess stuff came flying up
out of radiator, which is not normal so he tells me I have a blown head gasket.
I have a 7 year 100,000 extended warranty so I call Ira Toyota in Danvers Ma,
and they want to see the car. They tell me I have to have authorize at least 6
hours of labor for them to take apart the engine so they can figure out exactly
what is wrong with the car, (which I have to pay for now since the warranty
will not cover the repair)
They call me on Wednesday and tell me I need a new engine
and then yesterday, Jack from the extended care warranty place denied my claim
for the repair. He is saying its my fault because I drove the car too long
after the belt snapped. It was about 9:30pm on Sunday and I wasnt even aware
that it was a belt that had broke at that time. I am a single female, and did
not feel safe pulling over in the dark and waiting on the side of the highway
by myself. Im not a mechanic, how was I supposed to know I was going to cause
major damage to my car? I have bought 3 cars from this dealership. I have had
every service done at this dealership. 30K, 60K and every 5K in between. They have always checked off that the
belt has been checked and is fine. At my last service, on June 20th, same thing. I
think they should have to pay for some of the repair, because if the belt had
really been looked at and replaced, then I would still have a car right now!
Dont get your car serviced at IRA Toyota, because they dont really look at
everything and you might just end up with a car payment on a car with no
engine, like me.
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