From o2 sensor to engine replacement in 10 days?

That's what I figured.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Well, Scott replaced the sensor. He tested the old one and said it was defective (shocking) and that I should return it.

Once the new one was installed, he started the car and the engine immediately began to charge the battery. Then he took it for the kind of test drive I asked for, city driving, up hill, down hill, flat street, expressway, etc. No acceleration issues, no power problems, no rough idle, and so on and so forth. In other words, it's running exactly as it should.

He advised that I return to both dealerships and demand my money back, but I know that effort would be fruitless. Although, my inspection is due this month and it might be amusing to have them do it, just so I can ask how the heck a car with a dead engine passes inspection (HA!). I do intend on following up with corporate though.

I can't count how many people told me just to get a new car in the last month, but I knew, my step-dad knew, Scott (non-hybrid mechanic), and many of you knew different. Thank you all for your help and guidance.

 

Thanks! We all knew that it was a strong possibility that it was the sensor, and that engines don't just die like that. We also knew that replacing the sensor may not have been the cure all, and the reality is that it wasn't. Thanks to the members here, I learned that the 12V battery needed to be replaced as well as how to replace it. I also owe thanks to the folks here for teaching me to clean the MAF and Throttle Body, which I'm sure helped with the rough idle and is a skill that I'm confident I will use for years to come. I also learned about the water issue with this model and how to fix it. Sticking to my guns was a small part of it, I didn't get my car back without help, and I have a lot of gratitude to express for the help and support of many people here. I'm incredibly grateful to those who helped me avoid a very costly repair (or a car payment) as well as the hassle of taking out my stereo system and returning the factory one. And there aren't enough words to express how happy I am to have my tiny car power back!

 

I was going to wait until tomorrow to post the next update, but since you brought it up, know that I didn't bother with the dealerships, I went directly to corporate. The representative I spoke with this afternoon was far more kind than the one I spoke with when I contacted them the first time. I gave her the case number and she read over what I had called in about the first time, and I provided the information regarding everything that happened since my last conversation with corporate. I informed her of the documentation that I had, all of the invoices from the parts they didn't need to replace, all the way through to the 3rd mechanic who fixed the issue the dealerships would not fix. I told her that I wanted a refund for the unnecessary "work" done at both of their dealerships, the tows, and the fee for the 3rd mechanic I shouldn't have had to visit. I noted that they were more than welcome to check the engine to ensure that I haven't had it replaced in the interim. I highly doubt that I'll see one red cent, but the complaint to corporate is valid and well documented. The representative escalated my call to another department and I'm to receive a call from a "Team Leader" before close of business tomorrow. All I can do now is wait and see what comes of it. I am composing a letter regarding my experience, but it currently has no destination.

As per the other people experiencing similar issues, I haven't seen their posts, but if you think this thread may be able to help then send them here. But let them know they can contact me directly if they don't want to sift through 448 posts.

Engines don't just die like that, we know this. According to dealership 1, the entire engine is loaded with sludge and later the valves are touching the pistons. Dealership 2 noted that there was sludge in the intake manifold, which can be checked and confirmed by removing the valve cover and checking for build up in the crank case - for a fee higher than the cost of installing the sensor I brought in for them to install. It doesn't matter now, we know that this ended where it started. The car is running as it should have been when I left that lot on the 17th of December.

 

They close up shop in 20 minutes, and I haven't heard from them. I'm not surprised, and as I've noted, probably not going get a return on anything. But if you could only see the numbers that I see, next to the documents that I have, you'd try too (or at least I hope you would).

 

But how do I choose which dealer?

 

Wouldn't that be fun?

 

Dealership #1 definitely doesn't own the sidewalks, but Dealership #2 probably does. Doesn't matter, I'll be at work.