Posted by notsohappy on January 05, 1999 at 11:50:09:
with the onset of cold weather this winter, i noticed my heater
was not working. i've only had the car 6 months, and this was the
first time the heater had been tested. i took the car in, they told
me it was a heater core problem. here's where it gets screwy. the
mechanics also told me they'd noticed the car was considerably
underpowered. huh? news to me. they said perhaps i was not
accustomed to driving a 6 cylinder bmw. this is true. i had a
warranty which covered engine work on the car, so i started a claim
and the mechanics opened the engine, on the assumption that the
cylinder gasket was bad. what they discovered was...the pistons in
various states of melt. the warranty company is stating they cannot
cover the work because i obviously rode the car hot for some length
of time--neglect on my part. my response to that is: 1. the temp.
gauge never wavered (although warranty boys said it does not
work--but how would i have known?) 2. i would assume over the past
12000 miles i would've been adding fluid constantly had the car
been running hot. i was not. 3. i should think i would have noticed
an appreciable loss of power over the course of the past 6 months.
i have not.
furthermore, the car has not smoked or been burning oil--due to
piston rings melting as well. i have had the oil changed regularly
and was most recently complimented on the condition of the
'underthehood' car. what is going on here? what are the
possibilities? is it conceivable that the pistons were damaged
before i got the car (i.e. 15000 miles ago)? is it possible that i
did the damage to the car? how is all of this provable?
i can't afford to put a new (or even used) engine in my car!
help?!
a little information would be helpful in making my decisions
here. much thanks.