Dodgy mechanics, what should I do? - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

ED Manual · 11-01-2003, 23:42

Last proper garage service before the waranty ran out which was done by a well regarded garage I had all the usual things done. The thing is that just today I realised that the wrong size air cleaner was put into the car. That was 20,000km(15,000km services)ago(I'm doing them now). The air filter is too small and letting most of the air in via the gap. (i'm thinking i'm annoyed!!)
The thing is I am always on dirt roads, going through mud and puddles etc, so I pulled off the intake around the throttle body, the intakes full of dirt and grit, the intake is too, theres dirt and water thats been sucked straight past the filter into the engine. Thats happened over 20,000km!!

So what am i meant to do now? Apparently having dirt and stones and mud, etc! down through the throttle body, past the valves and rubbing up and down in the cylinders over this period could have done some damage. Maybe alot!
I havnt noticed any smoke from wrecked rings yet.
This car is a 2 year old 2001 Hyundai Accent, nearly done 150,000km.

What do you think I should try and get them to do for me?
Has anyone else had this sort of thing happen and what did you do?

paull · 11-02-2003, 10:24

Sell!

XR8 Lamah · 11-02-2003, 11:42

I guess it might be nice to lift the heads and have a look at the cylinder bores to check for scoring / damage etc. Could check the heads as well.

I've no idea how much work is involved in doing this, but wouldn't have thought that it was too much, given its a small 4 cylinder. . .

I think the ideal result would be to push for this option, or for them to agree to liability in the case that engine problems occur in the next X k's. Whether you can convince them of this is another matter (I don't think its likely).

But I would call the NRMA (if your a member) for their recommendations, or perhaps consumer affairs to see where you stand.

But you could try talking to them first - you never know what might happen, and then you don't have to go postal on their asses !

ED Manual · 11-02-2003, 15:47

does anyone have any idea what sort of damage dirt and junk can do? You should feel the rubbish thats built up on the inside of the throttle body!

Walgettion · 11-02-2003, 17:18

my father brought a hilux in '97 and they had a dodgily design airfilter setup that let dust etc in basically at will, Toyota wouldn't come to the party on the warranty because he did the service himself (how that figures with a design that doesnt hold up to australian conditions i dont know) ... neway to cut a long story short after bolting in the 3rd motor at 113,000 kms yes, dirt and junk do really bad stuff to a motor =/

Martin · 11-02-2003, 18:49

Ive heard that as little as one teaspoon of sand is enough to cause major damage....

!Gn|T|0n · 11-02-2003, 19:04

1st step, talk to NRMA. They will most likely provide some legal con*****tion. RACQ was very helpful with me in this regard.

AU1SIXA · 11-02-2003, 19:06

Well since we are talking about this topic how good are the K&N filters, BMC and the foamies. Im running a BMC flat panel filter which I wash and oil every 20,000 KM but are they better at capturing dust and such that a standard paper filter.