Do I Cut and Run

[rcox58]

Hello all. I'm Ray from Marlton, NJ. I've had a black 2000 SSEi for about 10 years. It has 130,000 miles on it. I love it and always took that approach that if I fix what needs fixing, I'll drive it for a long time. I've kept up on all routine maintenance so I'm baffled at the curse that seems to be on the car. Curse, you ask? Well...I recently just had cooling system problems that resulted in a blown head gasket. I had the engine rebuilt a couple of months ago, put a new catalytic converter, new fuel pump AND four brand new tires on it. Just today, I'm told that the bearings are bad in the block itself and the engine needs to be replaced. If I cut and run, I'm wasting the previously spent $7K and out of a car. If I replace the engine, I waste the previously spent $7K, still have a car but just wonder what crisis is going to come up next that will continue to demonstrate that I'm pouring money down the drain. I love this car! What would you do?

[01bonneSC]

Who rebuilt the engine? Its their problem IMO.

[01bonneSC]

And here is a list of common problems that can occur on 00+ Bonnevilles.

And also for anyone who want to address the engine problems, I just found his other thread on the rebuild.

viewtopic.php?f=18&t=30836

[1oldman]

Sort of off subject, sorta on subject. When I have a car I really like, well okay, love, I tend to spend more money on it to try and fix all the problems with it that on another vehicle I'd just ignore. That may be part of your problem. I hope you can find a good solution for you. - BC

[00Beast]

Was the engine completely rebuilt? If so, the bearings should have been replaced and it's the problem of the guy who rebuilt it.

[93 SSE 4 ME]

It's nice to say it's the rebuilder's problem, but if he doesn't step up, you're screwed. Your recourses are either civil litigation, or exteme measures that could have long-lasting repercussions. You've owned the car for 10+ years, and bought it used. It's turning into a money pit. Cut bait. It's a hard decision, but usually the most fiscally responsible choice. I've found that if your maintenance expenditures exceed a car payment on something newer/better, you're better off making the payment... Trade it in on something that interests you while it still has some value.

Mark

[rcox58]

Does it have any value with a bad engine block or do you mean fix it and then trade it?

[myfirstbonnie]

Please describe what you mean by "rebuilt the engine". Did they pull the engine and completely rebuild it or just tear the top end off and replace the gaskets? It sounds to me like you had a false diagnosis of a failed head gasket when you really had a failed LIM gasket.

If the coolant is left in the crankcase, it will damage the rod and main bearings. If a complete rebuild was done, they should have been replaced and I would contact them for compensation if you only got a couple months out of it.

If they just did the top end, then most likely they will not cover anything.

Me personally, I would replace the engine with a used one and keep driving it as long as the rest of the car is in good shape. This is another one of those personal preferences that you will get a lot of input on. Just remember when you buy another used car, you are just buying someone else's problems. You know what you have here.

By the way, welcome to the club.

[01bonneSC]

Please describe what you mean by "rebuilt the engine". Did they pull the engine and completely rebuild it or just tear the top end off and replace the gaskets? It sounds to me like you had a false diagnosis of a failed head gasket when you really had a failed LIM gasket.

If the coolant is left in the crankcase, it will damage the rod and main bearings. If a complete rebuild was done, they should have been replaced and I would contact them for compensation if you only got a couple months out of it.

If they just did the top end, then most likely they will not cover anything.

Me personally, I would replace the engine with a used one and keep driving it as long as the rest of the car is in good shape. This is another one of those personal preferences that you will get a lot of input on. Just remember when you buy another used car, you are just buying someone else's problems. You know what you have here.

By the way, welcome to the club.

Guys!!! His engine problem is in this thread. Lets keep all the info in one place.....

viewtopic.php?f=18&t=30836

[rcox58]

I'm in a very good bargaining position after getting additional advice from a more reputable shop nearby. I'm pretty sure I can get them installing a used egine at no cost to me. That strikes me as being a little close to inheritting someone else's problem if the engine has more miles that reported. The shop has offered an option of having a remanufactured Jasper longblock installed and discounting the amount I have already paid. They originally offered an estimate of $5K for the remanuf. engine. That would put me at about an additional $2K and I'd have the 3 year warranty. I have to call them today and give them my final position on this. Anyone have any last thouhts on this price for a remanuf. engine. For those outside Jersey, in this state the hourly rates are published and standard whether dealer or independent shop. They have me at an estimated 14 hours to put in the remanuf. Thoughts?

[rcox58]

I just came across a thread on here from back in June where the general consensus was that a remanuf engine for even $4K isn't worth it when a used one is so much cheaper. I'm incined to agree and am thinking of telling the shop just that. I can stop payment on the Visa I used and they'll take the money back until they invesigate. I have a local 30+ year shop that has offered to be my expert witness when Visa investigates. I don't think I can lose by stopping the payment, letting Visa sort it out and find in my favor while, in the meantime taking the car to the reputable guy. I'm pretty sure I'm decided. You guys have been a huge help on my posts as well as on the guy's post from June.

[rcox58]

For anybody interested, I was able to win this by disputing the original shop's work and oversights with Visa. Visa charged the labor fee of $3,200 back to the original shop and I was able to use that money to pay another shop for a complete used engine with a 12 month/12,000 mile warranty. I feel vindicated.

[1oldman]

For anybody interested, I was able to win this by disputing the original shop's work and oversights with Visa. Visa charged the labor fee of $3,200 back to the original shop and I was able to use that money to pay another shop for a complete used engine with a 12 month/12,000 mile warranty. I feel vindicated.

That's GREAT!! Just goes to show, it does pay to use the Credit Card for the "right" things! Glad you were able to get the car back on the road. Just make sure the lower intake manifold gasket is the newest type so your chances of losing this engine go to almost nothing. - BC

[00Beast]

Great to hear.