I am curious to see if there is anyone here that has had experience or has any good information regarding insurance claims.

I have owned a 2000 Ford Ranger (manual 5spd) for the last 5 years. It currently has ~78,000 miles on it. About 2 weeks ago, we had significant rain in our area. Our power went out and our basement started to flood. I took off just before this to pick up a generator and in the process, entered water that was about 3 feet deep. It was 1am when this all went down, so obviously it was impossible to tell how deep the water was. Also, I was focused on getting this generator home to save our basement and belongings.

Water entered the intake through the filter and killed the truck. Long story short, I got the truck started, but bent a rod and blew a head. I had the truck towed to a local Ford dealership thinking they would be the experts in engine replacement in a Ford vehicle. This dealership is an Authorized Repair Facility for my insurance company, so no adjuster is required to be present for the dealer to submit a quote/work order and get the work authorized.

Keep in mind that my truck books at about 2,000-2,500 tops. The dealer is anxious to replace the engine and get the truck back to me. I'm okay with it in theory because the truck is paid off with low miles. However, I have a problem with them picking engines out of junk yards with similar mileage. They replaced the first engine on Friday with 39,000 miles on it and it seized up right away on them.

I told them to not touch the truck until an adjuster could come out Monday to take a look at the vehicle and their quote to see what he thought. Am I wrong for thinking that the dealer just wants the maintenance work instead of totaling the vehicle out? The problem I have is that this "new" engine could last 6 months, a year, whatever. The insurance company said I would be covered in the future, but how far and how much are they going to fight it the further we get away from the claim? Also, there is no way the vehicle will be worth it's previous value once an engine has been replaced. I won't lie to a buyer, and I know I'd run away from a vehicle that has had an engine replacement if I were looking for a dependable vehicle.

The adjuster should be out Monday to take a look. Am I wrong for not wanting this truck back? If the truck was worth 5,000-10,000 I could understand, but replacing the engine in a $2,500 vehicle? Sounds like throwing good money after bad.

Any opinions on this? Thanks!

 

I hate to see any ranger totaled, but I agree with you in this case. It definitely seems like "throwing good money after bad", I would push your insurer to total the vehicle.

Good Luck and start looking for your next ranger today

 

Thanks for the reply.

The bad part is, I would really not like to have a loan payment again, at least for a while. Even more, I don't want a vehicle that is not dependable. I am anxious to see what the adjuster says. I have a hard time believing that it is a cut and dried answer to throw pulled engines into this truck and ship it out.

I guess tomorrow I'll know for sure.

 

Did you drive it after you got it started or did it just go "kerplunk"? Remember, both axles, transmission, and interior also went for that same swim. You could put anywhere from 50 bucks to 3 grand into this after the motor is done. I.E. both axles need the fluid changed, I would change fluid and filter in tranny also, and don't forget about the interior.

Just some things to think about...

 

It is now considered a 'flood vehicle' and should be treated as such. ie-totaled.
You don't know what other chemicals and such were in that water that can/will cause more problems , regardless whether or not you change all the fluids in everything.

 

Tell them to put a 5.0 in it and call it a day, that would be a fair trade IMO LOL


can always try it!

 

Lol its a 5 speed manual. no tranny filter.

 

i would just see what they would give for it,and go from there.if this truck is just you daily driver or weekend truck,it wouldnt hurt to total it out,because water got into other places too and it can do alot of damage over time.tell them you want a brand new motor not a used one

 

Thanks for the reply, guys. The adjuster seconded the notion to fix the vehicle. I found out today that they plan on stripping out the interior, which I don't care nearly as much about. I was told after they got an engine into it that the ABS light came on, which I have been having problems with, but fixed by changing out the fluid two weeks before this incident.

I'm kind of leaning towards trading the vehicle in, as much as I hate dealing with dealers. I just don't need the headaches down the road, and I will worry about it constantly, problems or not.

 

oops, my bad!!!