2004 Mazda 3 - Under car damage

[jtr990]

Yesterday, after lunch, a driver of a 2004 Mazda 3 2.3 originally pulled up on what was supposedly a radiator change. But when my boss showed me what he saw, it took out more than just a radiator.

When I examined the aftermath, not only the radiator was destroyed, the A/C condenser, engine oil pan, and oil filter assembly were obliterated. The cause of the damage was a lane divider lodged underneath the car, likely when the driver made a high-speed lane change too late before hitting one of the lane dividers.

Out of curiosity, has anyone ever encountered so much damage from underneath the car before the repair even started? And believe me, it drove up to our parking lot, no tow truck whatsoever!

 

[dishdude]

They drove it like that?

 

[jtr990]

They drove it like that?

Yes, they did.

 

[stevejones]

Damages exceed value of car.

 

[Blinker]

No way was that car driven after that impact.

 

[jtr990]

No way was that car driven after that impact.

I was thinking of that myself.

 

[Gimpy1]

No way it was driven in. I've done many estimates like this its usually a R&R engine assembly. Looks like one of those customer states youtube videos. Never ceases to amaze me what people do to their cars. Job security.

 

[Dave Hess]

Luckily it was an old car and the driver didn’t wreck or cause an accident.

 

[MParr]

It can be fixed. However it’s going to take more money than the car is worth. You might as well show the customer and explain it to them.

 

[daves87rs]

Just wow.....

 

[atikovi]

The cause of the damage was a lane divider lodged underneath the car, likely when the driver made a high-speed lane change too late before hitting one of the lane dividers.

What's a lane divider? Some Canadian traffic control tool? Looks like he ran over a curb to me.

 

[Jetronic]

a very high curbstone used to divide lanes, when the lanes will go different directions, or sometimes to divide lanes with opposing traffic (median)

 

[PimTac]

Without any oil since the pan and filter were ripped off, that engine has to be toast.

 

[hemitom]

No way that car was driven very far with that amount of damage.
Most likely happened extremely close to your shop if it was driven there.

 

[Jetronic]

problem is they drove it in.... if the engine dies after you "fixing" the damage they will blame you.

Time for another engine IMO, rebuilding this one will be much more expensive

 

[Greasymechtech]

I would contact owner with estimate
I would advise owner to contact insurance company, if insured
I would make owner sign waiver, and maybe even prepay

If they drove with no oil, then you'll be blamed for the inevitable engine failure
If they drove with no coolant, then you'll be blamed for the blown head gasket
If they drove with no ATF/refrigerant/fluxcapacitorfluid/mufflerbearinggrease, ditto

 

[spasm3]

I would just not take that job. They may not want to pay what it costs when you figure out all the hidden damage. I'd just tell them its totaled.

Too much headache.

 

[Wrenchturner44]

"That sure left a mark"!

 

[wwillson]

What brand of oil filter tears like that?

 

[Rhymingmechanic]

That's one way to see what's inside an oil filter.