2014 car with 10k miles, using 1qt/300 miles, found to have scoring on pistons

[texasram]

A couple of thoughts:

1. There is no direct correlation between scored cylinder walls and and a R28 positive.

2. The cylinder walls typically are scored by lack of oil.

3. It is a stretch to go from scored cylinder walls to bearing failures.

4. The R28 probably is looking for aluminum or babbitt material, not necessarily machining debris.

The relation between scored cylinder walls and spun bearings are a matter of how often oil levels are checked, having a consumption issue vs not having consumption issue and frequency of oil monitoring

[AZTVR]

Oil blow by due to scored pistons caused by debris.

I don't have much faith in that description that we are being told 2nd or 3rd hand through a line mechanic and maybe a service writer and then an owner. I don't see that scoring on pistons is what caused oil consumption. Possibly scoring on cylinder walls but, then, that could also be due to running the engine low on oil. I don't really want to nitpick though. I was just trying to reinforce the need for a professional inspection and opinion; and, we should not be fixated on there being one root cause, i.e., debris, for the engine failures. In the end, we all agree that the Arrow controller is very highly unlikely to be the cause, and is being used as the scapegoat.

[dhx]

So they gave the official warranty denial. FCA are a bunch of scumbags, as we already know. I will probably go ahead and sell my other FCA vehicles this spring.

I need help with a couple things:

1) Automotive forensics was mentioned, but when I search for companies like that I find absolutely nothing in my region of the country. Is there another name to search for? I'd like to have someone independent of the dealer examine the engine and write up a report with their findings, but I want it to be someone who's credibility is unquestionable in court.

2) The hunt for the appropriate attorney begins today. Obviously it needs to be a litigator but the right type is going to be important. I know there are lemon law attorney's, but I'm not sure lemon law applies. However, I am thinking they may be the best suited for a case like this give their experience, but if anyone else can recommend a particular TYPE of attorney that would be a better fit I'd appreciate it.

Thanks

[jkviper]

JUst wondering. If the block is still good, what is the cost to rebuild the engine?

[dhx]

JUst wondering. If the block is still good, what is the cost to rebuild the engine?

I'm not certain, I haven't discussed that with them yet. I'll post as much information as I can as the process moves forward. Right now my priority is getting the legal ball rolling with the right person.

[mjorgensen]

JUst wondering. If the block is still good, what is the cost to rebuild the engine?

$8-$9K start to finish, but if the cam bores cannot be saved you have to add a block also to that cost.

[Terminator02]

So they gave the official warranty denial. FCA are a bunch of scumbags, as we already know. I will probably go ahead and sell my other FCA vehicles this spring.

I need help with a couple things:

1) Automotive forensics was mentioned, but when I search for companies like that I find absolutely nothing in my region of the country. Is there another name to search for? I'd like to have someone independent of the dealer examine the engine and write up a report with their findings, but I want it to be someone who's credibility is unquestionable in court.

2) The hunt for the appropriate attorney begins today. Obviously it needs to be a litigator but the right type is going to be important. I know there are lemon law attorney's, but I'm not sure lemon law applies. However, I am thinking they may be the best suited for a case like this give their experience, but if anyone else can recommend a particular TYPE of attorney that would be a better fit I'd appreciate it.

Thanks

What state are you residing in as that determines if I can help or not.

[dhx]

What state are you residing in as that determines if I can help or not.

I'm at the border of NC/SC

[Dave1968]

How about contacting AMA. They may be able to point you in the right direction. Them, or some other consumer protection agency should have contacts to lawyers/resources in the automotive field.

[Vibert]

So they gave the official warranty denial. FCA are a bunch of scumbags, as we already know. I will probably go ahead and sell my other FCA vehicles this spring.

I need help with a couple things:

1) Automotive forensics was mentioned, but when I search for companies like that I find absolutely nothing in my region of the country. Is there another name to search for? I'd like to have someone independent of the dealer examine the engine and write up a report with their findings, but I want it to be someone who's credibility is unquestionable in court.

2) The hunt for the appropriate attorney begins today. Obviously it needs to be a litigator but the right type is going to be important. I know there are lemon law attorney's, but I'm not sure lemon law applies. However, I am thinking they may be the best suited for a case like this give their experience, but if anyone else can recommend a particular TYPE of attorney that would be a better fit I'd appreciate it.

Thanks

Go get 'em dhx. I sincerely hope you are able to burn those MFers to a crisp and pound their ashes into the ground. Greedy, dishonest, scheming, soulless globalist corporations deserve no mercy as they show none to anyone. Would love to see them significantly damaged by this.

[dhx]

How about contacting AMA. They may be able to point you in the right direction. Them, or some other consumer protection agency should have contacts to lawyers/resources in the automotive field.

What is AMA? There are a lot of AMA acronyms..

[Dave1968]

One other place, insurance companies? Contact your insurer, they would have contacts in that field.

[Dave1968]

I'm up in Canada, but, you guys have that I'm sure - the Auto Club. Up here AMA, or CAA is the auto club, but they are also much more than that. They do insurance, repair shop authorization inspections, etc... Basically they are everything to do with automobiles so being connected in that fashion they should have lawyer/ expert contacts.

[socal]

Over-rev issue aside, assuming he has the resources and will to take this case into the end-zone, I would be very optimistic about this case for a simple reason. FCA cannot and, will not, "lose" this case. They will settle before losing. If they believe they are going to lose they will offer an amazing settlement he cannot refuse. Buying him two ACR's would be cheaper than losing, because if they lose, they will likely be expected to honor all Arrow denied claims. If they settle, he signs a gag order and no policies change.

[dhx]

Over-rev issue aside, assuming he has the resources and will to take this case into the end-zone, I would be very optimistic about this case for a simple reason. FCA cannot and, will not, "lose" this case. They will settle before losing. If they believe they are going to lose they will offer an amazing settlement he cannot refuse. Buying him two ACR's would be cheaper than losing, because if they lose, they will likely be expected to honor all Arrow denied claims. If they settle, he signs a gag order and no policies change.

How many arrow denied claims do we think we have now? 4?

I have the resources, I prefer not to use them, but after my conversation with the service manager today I think I have to. He said they put a complete warranty block on my car. So if the radio dies, they blame it on the tune. Absurd, and likely illegal.

[Dman]

Yep, I said they'd end up denying claims to fix an ad window regulator due to a mod and many slapped me for exaggerating. So they've killed your entire warranty, like your wiper motor dies and it's due to your mod, vs denying your drivetrain at least. So if you have any mod, owners might as well expect warranty denials no matter how bizarrely unrelated.

Good luck. What a pain, but then that's the FCA strategy, try to make it so daunting that owners would just give up. Give em hell.

[socal]

How many arrow denied claims do we think we have now? 4?

I dunno. I'm a key-board warrior, not an expert.

[99RT10]

$8-$9K start to finish, but if the cam bores cannot be saved you have to add a block also to that cost.

Can't cam bearing be installed? I know that was an option on the older blocks.

[99RT10]

How many arrow denied claims do we think we have now? 4?

I have the resources, I prefer not to use them, but after my conversation with the service manager today I think I have to. He said they put a complete warranty block on my car. So if the radio dies, they blame it on the tune. Absurd, and likely illegal.

I hope you do go the full 9 yards and win. I hope they award the full purchase price of the car plus lawyer fees. Guarantee that when discovery comes up, they settle. Good luck.

[mjorgensen]

Can't cam bearing be installed? I know that was an option on the older blocks.

Nothing I have heard of, there are no oversized factory cams so the option id the bore has to be cleaned would be an oversized Arrow Stage2 camshaft along with the H/C package during the rebuild.

[The_Ruski_Driver]

So they gave the official warranty denial. FCA are a bunch of scumbags, as we already know. I will probably go ahead and sell my other FCA vehicles this spring.

I need help with a couple things:

1) Automotive forensics was mentioned, but when I search for companies like that I find absolutely nothing in my region of the country. Is there another name to search for? I'd like to have someone independent of the dealer examine the engine and write up a report with their findings, but I want it to be someone who's credibility is unquestionable in court.

2) The hunt for the appropriate attorney begins today. Obviously it needs to be a litigator but the right type is going to be important. I know there are lemon law attorney's, but I'm not sure lemon law applies. However, I am thinking they may be the best suited for a case like this give their experience, but if anyone else can recommend a particular TYPE of attorney that would be a better fit I'd appreciate it.

Thanks

Sorry to hear that dhx, but as 99% of the forum would guess, I/we are not surprised. I strongly urge you to pursue the route you are already considering and I believe that you will win this case via payout. It'll never even go to trial, instead they "award" you with a new motor only, so you'd still be out the 1,XXX for labor. I'm no expert, just my guess based on my experiences in court, which I've been to over 75 times.

Also in regard to forensics, I don't know where to go but maybe emailing Nth and Calvo would be a good start. Perhaps they have a connect that would be worthwhile.

[John N]

So they gave the official warranty denial. FCA are a bunch of scumbags, as we already know. I will probably go ahead and sell my other FCA vehicles this spring.

I need help with a couple things:

1) Automotive forensics was mentioned, but when I search for companies like that I find absolutely nothing in my region of the country. Is there another name to search for? I'd like to have someone independent of the dealer examine the engine and write up a report with their findings, but I want it to be someone who's credibility is unquestionable in court.

2) The hunt for the appropriate attorney begins today. Obviously it needs to be a litigator but the right type is going to be important. I know there are lemon law attorney's, but I'm not sure lemon law applies. However, I am thinking they may be the best suited for a case like this give their experience, but if anyone else can recommend a particular TYPE of attorney that would be a better fit I'd appreciate it.

Thanks

On the forensics, I suggest contacting Tom Sessions for advice and a referral. He knows as much (or more) about these cars as just about anybody and is not associated with the corporation (I don't think). Good luck and best wishes.

[Terminator02]

Personally this is just MY opinion. However, OP if I were you, I wouldn't post another thing, another idea or anything. Everything will be used to analyze you all the way to guessing your financial resources, your likelihood to go through with it, your intelligence...everything. Everything we are saying is not benefiting you either as FCA is analyzing our responses and how logical or illogical they are and are weighing that (assuming they start digging By you taking ACTION). I wish you the best but I'd recommend letting this go completely from a visibility standpoint. Contact your wealthiest friends in your area who know someone who knows someone that's a great litigator. If he or she isn't going to take your case, the lawyer will know the right person in your area. I do think there is light at the end of the tunnel if you play hard, straight and correct but the clock has already started believe it or not.

[Martin]

^^Very good advice.

[7TH_SIGN]

Very sorry to hear the warranty claim denial but we did give you a heads up that it would be denied due to the Arrow PCM.

Find an attorney now and one who specializes in auto warranty denial. No need for you to do any leg work yourself. Let your attorney do his job. As Terminator02 stated, take caution as to what you post on social media.

My father contacted me two days ago notifying me that the transmission on their Nissan Murano failed and that the dealership stated a entire new transmission was needed. I immediately thought of FCA and their horrible warranty service. I told my father to keep me updated on the warranty claim as he had purchased the extended warranty. Today he called me to inform me that the warranty claim was accepted and that he would only be paying the $50 deductible and would be receiving a brand new $4k+ transmission. That my friends is how its supposed to work. This isn't even the factory warranty but an extended one.

When my FACTORY warranty claim was denied by FCA on my JK Jeep due to the heater core failing and them expecting me to pay $1500 out of pocket to fix it I made sure to walk in to the service center when it was full of customers and inform everyone there that not only was I selling my POS Jeep but also my then GEN II Viper and never purchasing another FCA product. Sold the Jeep the following week and the Viper a couple months later. Then I fell in to the mistake of purchasing a GEN V out of love for the Viper.

I learned my lesson finally and will never give FCA another cent. I am glad that there are many here with problem free Vipers and enjoying their ownership. That however doesn't hide or put aside the many who are struggling to enjoy their $100k car due to numerous issues from the factory. Its a great automobile when it works. Aside from the Ford GT it will always be my favorite American sports car. In the early 90s I had posters of the GEN I all over my wall and car models on my desk. Unfortunately FCA has killed the Viper for me.