Who's Responsible For Repair?

JoeyF30 · 10-24-2021, 07:49 PM

Question,

I had to replace my bad motor and put a used one in. The mechanic said the used motor may need a new VANOS Unit. Who is responsible to pay for this? He found this out after installing the motor and me paying $8500 for parts and labor. Which means the VANOS Unit could increase the bill, so am I responsible to also pay to have this replaced on a car that isn't even fixed yet? Or the shop?

tturedraider · 10-24-2021, 08:14 PM

I’m afraid you are. With buying a used motor you pretty much got it “as is”. There probably would have been no way for the mechanic to know a new VANOS unit would be required.

BimR · 10-24-2021, 08:22 PM

Hate to bring bad news but you are responsible. However, maybe you can talk to the shop and see if they can help split some costs or fiber a discount? It's all on goodwill now.

Heel328 · 10-24-2021, 10:27 PM

What was wrong/happened with the original engine and how many miles did it have...

jd_perspective · 10-25-2021, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heel328

What was wrong/happened with the original engine and how many miles did it have...

...and why did you spend $8500 on a 2013 model? It's so old and the value is not there.

adhrp · 10-25-2021, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jd_perspective

...and why did you spend $8500 on a 2013 model? It's so old and the value is not there.

The value is in not having to make a $500+/month payment for the next 4-5 years on a new(er) car.

cfm56d7b · 10-25-2021, 07:19 AM

@JoeyF30, may I ask if the used motor was tested in some way before installation?

JoeyF30 · 10-25-2021, 07:21 AM

So he sourced the motor. Forgot to mention.

BMWILUVU · 10-25-2021, 07:24 AM

Its correct that it is usually your cost. That is the risk with putting in salvage parts particularly complex parts like the engine. The mechanic has no guarantee that the engine sourced is in working order and he is not going to eat the costs when its not his fault but it sounds like he did not explain this clearly up-front. If you had gone with a dealership, the part and service are guaranteed for 2 years for engine replacement.So for engine replacement, I think the dealership service center should be also considered unless you decide to take the risk that the salvage engine is pristine.

heifetz17 · 10-25-2021, 09:52 AM

It's correct that you assume the risk of a used engine, but that being said most salvage suppliers will offer some kind of usability warranty on an engine purchase. Usually 30 or 60 days, with the option to purchase additional warranty.

If the engine has a mechanical problem right off the pallet, your shop should be working with the supplier to come to a resolution on a fix. The engine should at least be guaranteed to operate properly upon installation.

Gen13 F36 · 10-25-2021, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heifetz17

It's correct that you assume the risk of a used engine, but that being said most salvage suppliers will offer some kind of usability warranty on an engine purchase. Usually 30 or 60 days, with the option to purchase additional warranty.

If the engine has a mechanical problem right off the pallet, your shop should be working with the supplier to come to a resolution on a fix. The engine should at least be guaranteed to operate properly upon installation.

+1

I bought an SR20DET for my Silvia long long ago... Mind you it's a JDM engine and that even comes with warranty and sort of checklist done on the engine like compression check.

Your mechanic should have known this when recommending a used engine. I don't know how this was done.

GL

F30lolz · 10-25-2021, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeyF30

So he sourced the motor. Forgot to mention.

He/supplier should foot the bill assuming a warranty is present. When my n20 took in water, I was given a 6 month warranty on the used n20. Was a warranty mentioned before you agreed for the repairs?

Elvisfan · 10-25-2021, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeyF30

Question,

I had to replace my bad motor and put a used one in. The mechanic said the used motor may need a new VANOS Unit. Who is responsible to pay for this? He found this out after installing the motor and me paying $8500 for parts and labor. Which means the VANOS Unit could increase the bill, so am I responsible to also pay to have this replaced on a car that isn't even fixed yet? Or the shop?

The quote should be for an engine that actually runs. Don’t know where you had it done. Should have been BMW specialist.

eluded · 10-26-2021, 02:48 AM

Used engine i'd replace anything that requires the engine being pulled in the future…

amancuso · 10-27-2021, 08:09 AM

Did you have to replace due to the timing issue on the N20/26? If so I would have required that any used motor would have those parts replaced with the revised ones before installation in the car.

n55david · 10-29-2021, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeyF30

Question,

I had to replace my bad motor and put a used one in. The mechanic said the used motor may need a new VANOS Unit. Who is responsible to pay for this? He found this out after installing the motor and me paying $8500 for parts and labor. Which means the VANOS Unit could increase the bill, so am I responsible to also pay to have this replaced on a car that isn't even fixed yet? Or the shop?

did your new old motor have any kind of warranty? if not.. you pay

10-24-2021, 07:49 PM	#1
JoeyF30 Private First Class 20 Rep 162 Posts Drives: BMW 2013 328i xDrive N26 Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Iselin , NJ iTrader: (0)	Who's Responsible For Repair? Question, I had to replace my bad motor and put a used one in. The mechanic said the used motor may need a new VANOS Unit. Who is responsible to pay for this? He found this out after installing the motor and me paying $8500 for parts and labor. Which means the VANOS Unit could increase the bill, so am I responsible to also pay to have this replaced on a car that isn't even fixed yet? Or the shop?
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10-24-2021, 08:14 PM	#2
tturedraider Major General 4958 Rep 6,222 Posts Drives: 2018 340i M Sport Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chicago, Edgewater (via Texas & Tennessee) iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW 340i M Sport [9.38] 2020 BMW M340i xDrive [10.00] 2018 BMW 340i M Sport [8.00] 2006 BMW 330i Sport [4.50] 2004 BMW 330i ZHP [7.25] 2000 BMW 328i [6.00]	I’m afraid you are. With buying a used motor you pretty much got it “as is”. There probably would have been no way for the mechanic to know a new VANOS unit would be required. __________________ www.bmwcca.org member #388003 - Use me as a referral & you could win a one day ///M Driving School!! ___________________________________________
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10-24-2021, 08:22 PM	#3
BimR Lieutenant 245 Rep 500 Posts Drives: 2016 328 Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	Hate to bring bad news but you are responsible. However, maybe you can talk to the shop and see if they can help split some costs or fiber a discount? It's all on goodwill now.
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10-24-2021, 10:27 PM	#4
Heel328 First Lieutenant 79 Rep 369 Posts Drives: 2013 328i 6MT Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Carolina iTrader: (0)	What was wrong/happened with the original engine and how many miles did it have... __________________ 2013 328i 6MT 1995 S6* 1993 S4* 1984 944* 1988 16V GTI*
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10-25-2021, 07:19 AM	#7
cfm56d7b Lieutenant General 5876 Rep 10,249 Posts Drives: 2017 440i Gran Coupe & 2015 X5 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (2)	@JoeyF30, may I ask if the used motor was tested in some way before installation?
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10-25-2021, 07:21 AM	#8
JoeyF30 Private First Class 20 Rep 162 Posts Drives: BMW 2013 328i xDrive N26 Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Iselin , NJ iTrader: (0)	So he sourced the motor. Forgot to mention. Attached Images
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10-25-2021, 07:24 AM	#9
BMWILUVU Lieutenant Colonel 809 Rep 1,597 Posts Drives: 340ix Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: The Boibs iTrader: (0)	Its correct that it is usually your cost. That is the risk with putting in salvage parts particularly complex parts like the engine. The mechanic has no guarantee that the engine sourced is in working order and he is not going to eat the costs when its not his fault but it sounds like he did not explain this clearly up-front. If you had gone with a dealership, the part and service are guaranteed for 2 years for engine replacement.So for engine replacement, I think the dealership service center should be also considered unless you decide to take the risk that the salvage engine is pristine.
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10-25-2021, 09:52 AM	#10
heifetz17 Second Lieutenant 90 Rep 234 Posts Drives: 2013 328xi Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Montana iTrader: (0)	It's correct that you assume the risk of a used engine, but that being said most salvage suppliers will offer some kind of usability warranty on an engine purchase. Usually 30 or 60 days, with the option to purchase additional warranty. If the engine has a mechanical problem right off the pallet, your shop should be working with the supplier to come to a resolution on a fix. The engine should at least be guaranteed to operate properly upon installation. __________________
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10-26-2021, 02:48 AM	#14
eluded 2JZ-GTE 3005 Rep 3,986 Posts Drives: 340 6MT, 50e, others Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Sofia iTrader: (0)	Used engine i'd replace anything that requires the engine being pulled in the future… __________________ A man who views the world the same at 50 as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.
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10-27-2021, 08:09 AM	#15
amancuso Lieutenant Colonel 724 Rep 1,755 Posts Drives: 330it, 428ix, 430i Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Lawrenceville, GA iTrader: (1)	Did you have to replace due to the timing issue on the N20/26? If so I would have required that any used motor would have those parts replaced with the revised ones before installation in the car. __________________ 2016 428ix, r, 2018 430iC, 2018 330it
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