Need some advice...Shop messed up my motor -
 

Need some advice - my '84 300D was taken in to a local shop for an oil change. I have not been driving this car for a while, a friend has been borrowing it and he took it in. They messed up the job by not replacing the gasket properly. They actually noticed and called when they found oil all over their bay...

They came out to a shopping plaza, and according to my friend they put over a gallon in it - according to the shop, they put "1 1/2 to 2 quarts" and then it went to "2 to 2 1/2 quarts"...

I don't know what really happened - my friend is not a 'car guy' so I'm just not sure. He noticed a loud knocking not long after they filled it up, but not until he drove it. Wasn't really loud while idling in the parking lot. I started it up today and there is clearly something "blown", so I had it towed back to the shop. They know nothing about diesels (I would never have taken my car there, but...), but they did recognize that something internal was shot. The manager called and while accepting some responsibility, he's just not sure they caused all of the damage. He is willing to write me a check for $1300 after finding a used OM617 motor online for about that much - with a 5 year warranty. I don't want to make a big deal about this - The car has always run well, but the exterior is pretty rough and I have little/no money in the thing.

What do you guys think? Any advice? I'm not much one for legal battles, but I did hear the store manger say he would prefer to avoid insurance...

Thanks,
Ryan

car value.
 

That may, honestly, be the value of the car. Depends on mileage. I would take it. You may be able to have them help on installation. You could use it to get another running car then have a parts car too.

Agree. Life is too short.

Wow, that's a tough situation....

If the shop is willing to give you $1300 as a first offer, I'd be inclined to think you could settle for maybe $2000 or so, which would likely be enough to get another vehicle...plus you could salvage a bunch of good parts before getting some additional dollars by junking the current vehicle for scrap.

I don't envy you....bummer

Witness them draining the oil you should then be in a position to bargain. The less amount of oil out the higher the total valve should be.

Take the money & run. If you like early-mid 80's W123s, buy another and use the knocker as a donor.

Since he claims to have found a 5 year warranty engine for that amount... I would accept him getting that engine and putting it into the car...
so basically he is making you ' whole ' again.. which is the criteria they use in court.
In other words... you get the car with a good engine for no outlay of money .. only the time it will be in the hands of the shop...

Thanks for the replies...this is a real basic oil change kind of shop - I don't think there is any way they could put in a motor...and since he is not willing to assume 100% liability he is only willing to pay for the engine.

Here is a link that I found - /http://www.carmonkeys.com/1984-MERCEDES-BENZ-MERCEDES-300D-Engine-Assembly-123-Type-300D-300CD-5-Years-Warranty

Still a good deal. Do not think you can expect to come out whole. Five year warranty is excellent.

Honestly,

You probably don't deserve that money from the shop, if I am understanding the story correctly.

Knocks or 'blown somethings' don't happen due to just poor oil pressure that quickly.
Bearing might get compromised - but they don't have enough slop that immediately to make noise and it sounds like you still had some oil in the sump.

I would take it and run if I could not figure out what it was really quickly - maybe its their fault, maybe its not.

X2

Maybe counter offer of $1500. Then go forth and prosper ( be happy ).

Very horrible situation, hope all gets resolved!

rgnprof, sorry this had to happen. I hope the shop can compensate your issues without any hassle.


Unfortunately the number of Factory Trained technicians on 30 year old MB's are dwindling fast. Factory train techs are now on the much newer stuff and have no knowledge on how the older vehicles work. For the regular consumer, research or ask around first before taking your car into any shop.


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If ypur friend put in over a gallon and what was in there before .Then i would say its been over filled .Blowing a seal or gasket out in the process .