Company Response
6/21/2021
Company states; On Feb 11, 2021, Ms. Baham's claim was reported to FWS regarding a problem with the engine in her vehicle. At that time, FWS asked the repair facility to contact us directly regarding the problem. The repair facility contacted FWS on February 11, 2021, advising that the vehicle was not starting or shifting gear. At that time, FWS determined an inspection was needed to determine the cause of the problem. The first inspection was performed on the vehicle on February 22, 2021. The repair technician indicated the vehicle was disabled outside of the repair facility due to damage of the transmission neutral override cable, thus preventing the transmission from being shifted. The repair technician demonstrated the engine was turning over freely, as if the engine had excessive low compression on all cylinders. The repair technician pointed to the engine area, under the supercharger, and declared the issue was extreme overheat due to failure of the coolant pipe under the supercharger. There were also several diagnostic trouble codes for knock sensor faults and misfires. The inspector verified that the coolant tank and coolant system were empty of coolant. The inspector determined that the problem was consistent with engine
failure and loss of compression. Thus, it was determined that teardown would be required to verify the cause of the failure.
A second inspection was dispatched on March 2, 2021, after FWS was notified by the repair facility that the engine was disassembled. However, upon arrival to the facility, the inspector noted that the engine was not disassembled. The second inspection revealed that the vehicle was leaking large amounts of coolant. The repair technician performed a cooling system pressure test, which showed heavy coolant leak from the area near the water pump. There was also orange coolant on the surface of the engine indicating failure of the intercooler pipe. The plastic piping near the water pump was also melted. The
technician explained there was several warning lights in the vehicle indicating an overheat condition. The inspector believes the failure was due to extended use of the vehicle while in overheat condition. Thus, teardown would still be required to determine the cause of the failure. June 17, 2021. On March 26, 2021, a third inspection was performed after the repair facility called and verified the engine was disassembled to the point of failure. During the third inspection, the technician verified there was engine failure, and indicated that cylinders four and six were physically cracked due to overheat of the engine. The inspector noted there was coolant inside cylinders two, four, and six which was indicative of the failure of bank one of the cylinder head gasket. The coolant pipe to the supercharger also revealed signs of coolant leak. The repair tech determined that cylinders four and six were cracked due to excessive overheat. There were also signs of coolant contamination in cylinders 2, 4, and 6. The inspector determined there was material failure to the supercharger coolant pipe showing signs of coolant leak, resulting in excessive overheat damage to the engine. The claim was denied because overheat damage is specifically excluded under the terms and conditions of Ms. Baham's contract. Please refer to the section of the contract titled, Exclusions From Coverage, which states: 8. Any mechanical breakdown caused by contamination, damage as the result of continued operation with an overheat condition, lack of coolant or lubricants, lack of oil viscosity, sludge restricted oil flow, salt, rust and rust damage, environmental damage, or chemicals; This exclusion applies even when all regular maintenance has been completed and in the absence of negligence. Thus, Ms. Baham's claim will remain denied at this time. Please note that Ms. Baham has a service contract, and the vehicle was not declared a Total Loss.
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