I have a 97 Toyota Avalon. 3 weeks ago my mechanic replaced the radiator. This past weekend that thermostat failed (was not replaced when the radiator was changed!) and cause the engine to overheat and the block to crack. I feel the mechanic should be partially responsible due to negligence in replacing the radiator and not suggesting or replacing the thermostat. How should I approach the situation? How much labor is involved/cost to replace an engine and do you know of any good sites for a good used one?Is my mechanic responsible for the cracked engine block? Any advice on dealing with the situation?
this looks like a question a while back about someone being pissed because a mechanic suggested replacing an extra peice while the car was apart and the customer blew his top about it.
as said ,if all the guages and lights were working then overheating should have been caught by you before too much damage. ask yourself this ,if he had suggested a water pump and new hoses and thermostat and flush,would you have said yes or come here to ask if you were being ripped off.Is my mechanic responsible for the cracked engine block? Any advice on dealing with the situation?
Partly, it depends on why the radiator was replaced.
If the radiator was replaced due to something poking a hole in, rather than corrosion, then there was no reason to worry about the thermostat unless something indicated the system needed to be thouroughly cleaned and checked out.
Modern radiator fluid is very good at corrosion prevention. So there may have been no indication that there was a need to look at the thermostat.
Note that the engine should have had a working temperature gage or warning light. Paying attention to that would have prevented cracking the block. The engine would not get hot enough to damage the block without that indicator showing a problem first.
Just the fact that you should have had warning of the overheating in time to prevent the catastrophic damage should absolve teh mechanic from needing to pay for even part of the repair/replacement.
Labor... appx 8 hours to remove and replace an engine. Varies some with car make and model year.
Engine cost varies also... a new engine will cost more than the car is worth. A useable engine from a salvage yard might be as cheap as $500. I'd avoid one that was less even if you do find one.
Try the salvage yard and ask for a 30 day 1000 mile exchange warrantee. (which means if it fails you take the engine back and get another... but does not do anything for the second exchange labor cost)Is my mechanic responsible for the cracked engine block? Any advice on dealing with the situation?
Well personally I think it is your responsibility to make sure your car isn't runnung hot. You should have a temp gauge or light, stop running it if it runs hot, and you should be watching even closer if you just had trouble with the radiator. Usually to crack the block you really have to overheat it, or pour cold water into the radiator after it has run hot.
Sorry, but no, I don't think your mechanic is responsible for your cracked block
As said in the answer above, having another engine put in is going to cost nearly as much as the car is worth. If you really love the car ask the mechanic, he will be the best source of a used engine in your area, and if you don't trust him, which it doesn't sound like you do, go to the local junk yard and price one.Is my mechanic responsible for the cracked engine block? Any advice on dealing with the situation?
interesting how you seem to know it was the thermostat that failed. im sure that you know that your cooling fans were on, your water pump is okay, and the head gasket didnt fail. etc... so wait... your mechanic should have replaced the radiator, thermostat, cooling fan switch, cooling fans, water pump, all hoses, and the head gasket, as to not be negligent. what? you dont want parts replaced that are ok? (all that whining about how much is this gonna cost, please keep it as cheap as possible, etc..) i mean yeah, they may fail later, but you dont want them? oh, i see. what you really want is to just hold someone accountable, maybe come back with a question like %26quot; why did i need more than one part? i think my mechanic is ripping me off%26quot;. ill bet the whole time you were driving with the car overheating, you were thinking, %26quot; im not pulling over, i just spent x dollars on the radiator, its my mechanics fault, its his problem%26quot; werent you? negligent car owner, hear me. your mechanic did not build your car, he did not break it, and was honest enough not to replace a bunch of things you didnt need. sorry for your luck.Is my mechanic responsible for the cracked engine block? Any advice on dealing with the situation?
thermostat failed 3 weeks later is not his fault.you would be upset if he replaced it when it was working fine. and how long did YOU drive with it overheating??? Aluminum blocks and heads cant take it like old time motors...to crack a block YOU must have driven quite a few miles withe the light on or gauge in the red.. best bet is advance or auto zone for long blockIs my mechanic responsible for the cracked engine block? Any advice on dealing with the situation?
If the thermostat was functioning properly at the time of the service then it did not require replacement.
If you drove the vehicle while it was overheating long enough to crack the block (that is really, really, really freakin hot!) then you are going to have to pony up for your share of the responsibility here. The damage from the failed thermostat (assuming that was the problem) is 100% preventable. When your engine starts to overheat, shut it down immediately! You clearly didn't do that.Is my mechanic responsible for the cracked engine block? Any advice on dealing with the situation?
I'm sorry, but usually a mechanic fixes what is broke at the time. If you had been paying attention to the heat gauge on your car, it would not have overheated, so I would say to flog the mechanic here is out of line. To answer your question about the cost - I would find another engine (from a salvage yard or a rebuilt engine) and have it swapped. Make sure that you get a new head because it will be warped. Good luck.
