A WOMAN has been slapped with a hefty bill just weeks after she got a routine oil change for her Mercedes-Benz.
Jacquelyn Gamble from Atlanta, Georgia, is facing a $40,000 repair fee for her Mercedes GLE 350 after suffering a catastrophic engine failure.
An Atlanta woman faces $40,000 repair bill after her dream Mercedes-Benz suffers catastrophic engine failure[/caption]
Weeks after a routine oil change, a car owner’s engine implodes, sparking a costly battle with the dealership[/caption]
According to WSB-TV, the failure was linked to insufficient or absent oil levels – which may have caused the damage.
Gamble complained of hearing loud knocking noises and promptly took the car to the dealership, who found a large hole in the engine block – requiring a costly replacement engine.
What’s worse is that Gamble’s original warranty had expired just two months prior, leaving her with limited coverage from a third-party warranty that agreed to pay only $15,000 for a used engine with a six-month warranty.
Independent mechanics suggested that the failure was likely caused by insufficient oil levels – potentially even none at all,
Expert mechanic Bill Rimmer Rimmer said that such a failure is unusual for a relatively new car with only 68,000 miles.
He told reporters: “Most of the engines we put in have well over 100,000 miles.
“That’s why hearing about an exploding engine in a car only four years old is odd.”
He added: “Oil pressure keeps this (pistons) from hitting the metal on metal.
“This thing actually moves like this when it’s going up and down. And if this locks up, it breaks right here – parts come out the side.”
Mercedes-Benz agreed to waive diagnostic fees and provide a loaner vehicle, but Gamble is still burdened with significant costs – including over $2,000 in rental car fees.
She added: “We don’t know how it happened.
“But the lower part of the engine block imploded and blew out a hole from the bottom of the engine … the only repair would be to replace the engine.”
Incidents like this are why consumer advisor Clark Howard recommends purchasing both manufacturer and extended warranties to avoid such situations in the future.
How often should you change your oil?
Experts say the exact figure depends on a variety of factors, including:
- Age of vehicle. Older vehicles tend to need oil changes sooner than newer cars, as the engine oil used doesn’t last as long as newer oil. Plus, the clearances between moving parts tend to be wider than when the engine was new.
- Type of oil. Synthetic oil tends to last a lot longer between changes compared to synthetic or a synthetic blend.
- Driving conditions. People who live in dusty areas or regions with extreme weather conditions that require a lot of driving or stop-and-go traffic should change their oil sooner than normal to keep moving parts lubricated.
- Cars that bear heavy loads, like regularly towing a trailer, as it puts strain on an engine.
Typically, older cars should have their oil changed every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. More modern cars can go between 5,000 to 7,500 miles between changes, especially as modern oil contains more efficient lubricants and additives. Some cars that use synthetic oil only need changes every 15,000 miles.
It’s important to read your owner’s manual to determine the exact weight and interval your car needs.
Source: AAA
