Insurance Claim HELP !water induction causing engine failure
Discussion
Hi Guys
Im NEw hear and i really need help
Vehicle is a Ford Ranger 2011 PX 3.2LTR Diesel 4x4
On the 4th of december 2018 my car was in a storm and the power train light came on and i stopped straight away and turned the vehicle off after noticing it was running badly. I had noticed a drop in power not long before but didnt know due to the severity of the storm.
Upon first glance i found the air filer was soaking wet drenched and all my coolant was gone. Upon trying to claim they found a bypass hose had blown and put it down to mechanical failure. No Claim. Im still fighting it but work slow and having to by another car now no money. The inusrance wont listen to me. i asked them to take apart the engine which cost another 500 dollars and the mechanic says he found no signs of water entry, and that the rust was from coolant. Bare in mind this was a new engine only in febuary for this car and hhas only done 36k since i started driving it in february 2018.
I dont know what to do anymore i get shut down by everyone and seems stupid to put good coolant in a car if it rusts so trying to find some people who might know something i dont. Or any help and advice you can give
thankyou
Im NEw hear and i really need help
Vehicle is a Ford Ranger 2011 PX 3.2LTR Diesel 4x4
On the 4th of december 2018 my car was in a storm and the power train light came on and i stopped straight away and turned the vehicle off after noticing it was running badly. I had noticed a drop in power not long before but didnt know due to the severity of the storm.
Upon first glance i found the air filer was soaking wet drenched and all my coolant was gone. Upon trying to claim they found a bypass hose had blown and put it down to mechanical failure. No Claim. Im still fighting it but work slow and having to by another car now no money. The inusrance wont listen to me. i asked them to take apart the engine which cost another 500 dollars and the mechanic says he found no signs of water entry, and that the rust was from coolant. Bare in mind this was a new engine only in febuary for this car and hhas only done 36k since i started driving it in february 2018.
I dont know what to do anymore i get shut down by everyone and seems stupid to put good coolant in a car if it rusts so trying to find some people who might know something i dont. Or any help and advice you can give
thankyou
The car is insured with AAMI insurance
Full comprehensive
They are saying it's mechanical failure and not covered
The damage was cause in a massive storms surge putting out 70ml in 20 minso hurricane winds and trees and debris on the road
In Australia
They are rejecting me at every turn I've even paid to have the engine opened to see inside and look for water damage but they're are saying goes the rust is now from coolant
Full comprehensive
They are saying it's mechanical failure and not covered
The damage was cause in a massive storms surge putting out 70ml in 20 minso hurricane winds and trees and debris on the road
In Australia
They are rejecting me at every turn I've even paid to have the engine opened to see inside and look for water damage but they're are saying goes the rust is now from coolant
In which case Australian consumer law will apply.
So you need to ask the question on Australian forums who will hopefully point you in the right direction.
If it goes legal you may need expert opinion & you may need someone who can actually examine the vehicle & if necessary be able to attend court.
So you need to ask the question on Australian forums who will hopefully point you in the right direction.
If it goes legal you may need expert opinion & you may need someone who can actually examine the vehicle & if necessary be able to attend court.
Edited by paintman on Monday 1st April 20:12
nevermind any talk of corrosion...those huge scrapes on the bore would raise concern.
As if the engine was maybe cooked or something. Of course how long it may have sat in between running, stopped, being taken apart etc etc, again hard to say about any corrosion
And what does whoever took it apart have to say ? They have more information than anyone about it, and all very important info.
Although I still dont really get why insurance would cover engine damage due to flooding after driving in such a storm ?
As if the engine was maybe cooked or something. Of course how long it may have sat in between running, stopped, being taken apart etc etc, again hard to say about any corrosion
And what does whoever took it apart have to say ? They have more information than anyone about it, and all very important info.
Although I still dont really get why insurance would cover engine damage due to flooding after driving in such a storm ?
It sounds like you're suggesting that your car intake was flooded during normal driving in Aussie strength bad weather,
As an Aussie mechanic I assure the UK contingent that this isnt unusual in Australia, and could be considered accident damage.
But AAMI are claiming that the water that hydraulically locked the cylinder damaging the rings and subsequently the bore was from a broken coolant hose which means mechanical failure and no claim,
I used to do a bit of expert witness work on this sort of stuff in the late 90s early 2000s in NSW, Australia & an expert witness is exactly what you need, 1st step used to be, Small claims tribunal & then you'll go from there.
TBH the only leg you've got to stand on is the rust mark not being made by coolant but it's a little tenuous as the rust could have been caused at a later time, let me know where you are in Australia and if I've got a contact Re: expert witnesses I'll let you know, otherwise find yourself a consulting engineer of the RTA signatory type and go from there.
I hope this helps.
As an Aussie mechanic I assure the UK contingent that this isnt unusual in Australia, and could be considered accident damage.
But AAMI are claiming that the water that hydraulically locked the cylinder damaging the rings and subsequently the bore was from a broken coolant hose which means mechanical failure and no claim,
I used to do a bit of expert witness work on this sort of stuff in the late 90s early 2000s in NSW, Australia & an expert witness is exactly what you need, 1st step used to be, Small claims tribunal & then you'll go from there.
TBH the only leg you've got to stand on is the rust mark not being made by coolant but it's a little tenuous as the rust could have been caused at a later time, let me know where you are in Australia and if I've got a contact Re: expert witnesses I'll let you know, otherwise find yourself a consulting engineer of the RTA signatory type and go from there.
I hope this helps.
Blaxlinde said:
AAMI are claiming that the water that hydraulically locked the cylinder damaging the rings and subsequently the bore was from a broken coolant hose which means mechanical failure and no claim,
I would have guessed a hydrauliced cylinder lifting the head and allowing coolant in, rather than a broken hose.Gassing Station | Engines & Drivetrain | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff