This is going to be a tough one as it is a he said/she said issue. I find it difficult that the temp gauge did not show high temperature. I would make sure that the temp gauge is functioning correctly. If it is then they will claim operator error and will not cover it. Also if they find that at your last service the dealer verified that all fluids were checked and full based on the service requirement. Next would be what the warranty says about what parts are considered consumables and are not covered. What it sounds like to me is the warranty guy and the dealer service tech believe it was an operator / owner error and as such is not covered. Another question they would ask is how long did you drive the car after the 1st sign of trouble. Modern engines are pretty tough even with aluminum components and it would take a fair amount of driving at highway speeds for it to blow. Somewhere between 5 and 10 miles. So unless you get some help from Lexus of America you better get a lawyer. If you fried the engine most likely it is not rebuild-able and it will need a new crate engine. If you think you have a good case try to get the local news station involved on the warranty issue.

 

To the OP sorry to hear about your health issues...this cannot be helping.

 

Actually, if the engine is fried then the warranty would only replace it with a rebuilt or used engine only.

I've never heard of warranty companies ever replacing a fried engine with a brand new crate one.

 

As i said, at the first sign of when AC stopped and Check VSC came on, i called the dealer and explained situation. they didnt ask me to pull over or anything (I wonder if te hdealer sees this as their potential fault and railroading me). Then when CEL came on, i did pull over after few min of moving over, slowing down and finding safe spot. What else an avg driver is supposed to do? we can always analyze on the hindsight but we have to see what a reasonable person can decide in such situation. every avergae joe is not auto engineer. the engine should have had some failover mechanism to stop egine from getting damaged. and some warning lights to cath attention before the temps got really high

 

Thanks raina

 

nautilus, have you considered getting legal representation for this issue? It sounds like it's getting complicated.

 

Nautilus please don't take me wrong here and we know it is easy to second guess the problem. The only warning you could have had was seeing the temperature gauge go all the way to the red zone. Also you didn't mention if the yellow triangle warning light came on. There is not to many cars that have a low coolant warning as they depend on the temperature gauge to see an overheat problem. I bet if you had a radiator or water pump failure they would cover it. I think they are taking the position that you should have seen the temperature raising on the gauge and should have pulled over. Unfortunately you will need to fight the battle to see if they pay. The common trick here is that the insurance company will tell you they'll pay half the cost of the repair. Good luck.

 

Talked to the warranty company supervisor and he agreed that I did take all the right steps. He said that they can put in a remanufactured engine, he found the cost etc and told me that yes it's in range and we can do it. Then I get a call 1 hr later that he talked to the dealer and based on his findings from dealer, he is going to take the original stand of denying the claim. I just don't get it. Don't know what the heck dealer told him..
I think I am just going to pay on my own and get it done somewhere else, I just don't have time right now to deal this... Hate to loose after all this..

 

WTF?

This is proven to be a DEALER problem...and that dealer certainly doesn't have your best interest in mind!

 

Did he say why he reverted back to his original stand?

What did the dealer say?

Sucks to hear you having to go through this, but I wouldn't back down.

 

It seems to me that two things happen.
1. The dealer/inspectors have strong reasons to believe that it was user error.
2. The OP seems to give up the fight way too easily if indeed was no indication of water temperature indicator to hot.
Something is not right in all this. I doubt Lexus and the dealer will take a decision like this if they didn;t feel strong about it.

 

Yeah dude you need to get leagle rep for this I think
Another thing you could try is call your auto insurance company and ask them if it would be covered under you auto full coverage policy

 

If you read the posts, I didn't give up easily.. I had to fight at each step and so far I made it work. It shouldn't be this way. The lexus warranty company says that there is no provision of claim review, no apeal, once the decision us made, it's done.. I can get written denial and then look for arbitration.. Read the contract, it prevents legal action before arbitration.. I just don't have time or priority for this right at this moment

 

I did call the warranty manager back to inquire exactly this.. He said that he was willing to assist me but the dealer did not give him anything new..he said he gave room to the dealer. But ultimately the original stand that the car was driven when hot was taken. The dealer again said that by the cel comes on, it is already late, then what the heck driver is supposed to do.
Another new info he said is that water pump must have been leaking for some time.. I told him that never saw a drop in my garage or driveway, so that's not possible, but they wouldn't listen..

 

Actually I asked him if they can cover failed parts, but they said either a claim is covered with full repair or not.. They said they will never cover partial repair cost. By the time I saw temp gauge, it was all the way to C.. Coolant level already was low.. All German brands have major and annoying warnings if the coolant level goes even just a little low. Check merc or BMW..