On January 22 I drove my car to Sears Automotive Center @ Fair Oaks Mall in Fairfax, Virginia for the purpose of obtaining a new battery. I had purchased my previous battery at this location. The battery had to be jump started the day before. I was having no problems with my car. It is a 2000 Lincoln Continental with only 69,000 plus miles and has been well maintained. I asked if I could have my oil changed as it was due, at the approximately 3,000 mile interval. The Sears representative said they were having a special and would I like to have my anitfreeze/coolant changed. I said I would. This was approximately 2:00 on Saturday afternoon. I stayed at the mall and arrived at the time I was told the car would be ready. When I returned it was not ready but in about another 45 minutes was informed the car was ready. I saw the car on the lift and then it was driven out of the bay to an outside area. I was about to pay. I had my credit card out. I had not been informed that there were any problems. A mechanic came up to the gentleman who was helping me, Joseph Maumillot, and said " there is a problem." Joe and the mechanic left and went outside. About ten minutes later, my car was pushed back into the bay. No explanation. At one point, there was an explanation that the windshield wiper fluid hose must have been hooked into an incorrect correction and water got into the engine. This theory was and is implausible and no further mentnion has been made of this. Mechanic tried to show me the connection. I showed this to the dealer. It was and is impossible. There has been no further mention of this theory. They flushed the car with oil approximately three more times. Started car up. Awful noise. One of the mechanics stated he was afraid to start the car up. The manager drove me home. I did not ask for a a car rental at that time becauseI I had a carnow I have rented a car - almost three weeks now. Sears manager drove me home. I had to use my AAA service and have the car towed to a dealer. Sears manager called me and said the matter was out of his hands and that the claim had been filed with Sears insurance company, Sedgwick. Ford Dealer called Sear manager on Monday and discussion ensued. Implied that Sears ran engine without oil. No other explanation provided. I need a new engine. The engine has been destroyed. Sears's insurance adjusters came out to see car. Nothing can be determined but adjuster told dealer that it looked like car had been run without oil. I have had numerous interactions with Sedgwick CMs, the insurance sompany for Sears. Have been told the I have to authorize the "tear down" of the engine before anything can proceed. The adjusters inspected the engine According to the Sears manager and the dealer, one will not be able to determine what happened. Many calls to Sedgwick. Have asked to speak to the supervisor of the claims adjuster, who has been less than polite or helpful. The calls to the supervisor Ronald Mitcchell have gone unreturned. I have also continued to call Dan Gooding, the Sears Automotive Manager. He said he has also called Sedgwick and asked Ronald Miller to call me. The only response I get from Maryann Gist, the claimes examiner is that I need to pay and authorize the "tear down" of the engine. She assures me that the cause of the engine breakdown will be known. She keeps sending letters that she is unable to contact me by telephone. She leaves me phone messages at my home, during business hours. She has my business phone number and I have called her numerous times. Dan Gooding continues to insist that the matter is out of his hands, and I have to deal with Sedgwick. Today is February 17. Not one word from this week from Ronald MIler. I was given his name from Dan Gooding, and finally extracted his name nad numberfrom Maryann Gist, who only transferred me to his voicemail. If I called the main number, was unable to speak to an individual. It is now February 17 and I have no car, am driving a rental car, and no further communication from Sears. I drove my car into Sears for a new battery. I now need a new engine. I have a rental car. This issue needs to be taken care of by Sears - a new engine and reimbursement for my rental car. I ask nothing else. Thank you.
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