Mechanics, legal eagles?

[Mad4Macs]

A local shop installed my amplifier. I have a raw gas smell inside my car when I roll the windows down. You don't smell anything when they're up and the ventilation is on.
Yes, I did notice a fuel smell in the trunk over the winter, but since I've transported gas in the trunk a few times, I thought that I had simply spilled some on the carpet. I don't think that this is the case anymore.
The amp was installed while it was still cold outside, so I haven't been driving with the windows down until just recently, but I believe that my gas tank was punctured by a screw head.
Anyone know what the dealer should be charging me if a hole has been punched in the tank, and how I should go about seeking compensation for the repair if that's what happened?
Thanks...

[Big Joe P]

There's a thread here somewhere about where the fuel tank is, and how easily an amp installation could puncture it. I had a stereo place puncture the power brake booster years ago. I took the car to the dealer, not knowing what exactly was wrong. Once they got the booster out, there was a hole drilled in it. I called the stereo place, they said bring it back, we'll fix it. I said NO, the cars in pieces at the dealer, THEY're going to fix it, and I'm bringing YOU the bill. The stereo place paid me for the repair and fired the installer.

[MarauderMark]

There's a thread here somewhere about where the fuel tank is, and how easily an amp installation could puncture it. I had a stereo place puncture the power brake booster years ago. I took the car to the dealer, not knowing what exactly was wrong. Once they got the booster out, there was a hole drilled in it. I called the stereo place, they said bring it back, we'll fix it. I said NO, the cars in pieces at the dealer, THEY're going to fix it, and I'm bringing YOU the bill. The stereo place paid me for the repair and fired the installer.



^^^^^Best way to handle it^^^^^

[jjaguda]

Dig up all of your documents (e.g. receipts for stereo, install, and repairs to the tank, notes made by the repair shop as to the cause of the damage), and have pictures of the puncture, ready to support your position. Has the dealer/service confirmed that the puncture was from an errant screw?






(Note: This is not, nor is it intended, to be considered legal advise. Rather, this is simply how I would personally begin supporting/documenting the facts of the matter.)

[RoyLPita]

Dig up all of your documents (e.g. receipts for stereo, install, and repairs to the tank, notes made by the repair shop as to the cause of the damage), and have pictures of the puncture, ready to support your position. Has the dealer/service confirmed that the puncture was from an errant screw?


If there is a hole in the tank from their handiwork, then show them the tank.

[martyo]

(Note: This is not, nor is it intended, to be considered legal advise. Rather, this is simply how I would personally begin supporting/documenting the facts of the matter.)


Free legal advice: No open flames near your car until this is fixed.

Sure sounds like they punctured your tank. The removal isn't that big of a deal, but I would let the dealer do it so it is done right. You might want to insist on getting a new tank and your out of pockets (car rental, etc.) covered as well.

[LCSO34]

Check this page out for equipment mounting

http://www.cvpi.com/equipmount_pattern.htm#

[Mad4Macs]

Dealer just called... 4 holes in the gas tank.
Estimate is $1038.54, which has to come out-of-pocket until I figure out how to proceed.
Personally, a bullet seem much cheaper at the moment :D

[prchrman]

4 holes in the gas tank.

good grief, hope everthing turns out alright. willie

[Mad4Macs]

4 holes in the gas tank.

good grief, hope everthing turns out alright. willie

You don't even know the half of it. This install was done in November 2004. I had thought that I had smelled fumes in the trunk, but as I had transported gasoline several time over the winter, I figured that I had just spilled some.
But once I drove around with the windows down... whew! I knew that things weren't right. So... nearly 5 months of heavy driving... with 4 holes in my tank... all I can say is that I'm glad that I don't smoke anymore :rolleyes:

[mtnh]

Check this page out for equipment mounting

http://www.cvpi.com/equipmount_pattern.htm#


That's an awesome utility!

Mad4Macs: Good thing you haven't been tagged on the rear bumper. What an aweful thing to have happen.

[martyo]

Dealer just called... 4 holes in the gas tank.
Estimate is $1038.54, which has to come out-of-pocket until I figure out how to proceed.
Personally, a bullet seem much cheaper at the moment :D

If teh installer doesn't work it out with you, I have three words for you:

Small Claims Court.

Let us know how you make out.

[MENINBLK]

Dealer just called... 4 holes in the gas tank.

That's gotta kill your MPG !!!

IIRC, our fuel cells are made of fiberglass...

[Phil @ FLP]

Was it installed at a big chain shop or some small location?

[Mad4Macs]

Was it installed at a big chain shop or some small location?

Big chain shop. Name withheld :D

[jgc61sr2002]

Big chain shop. Name withheld :D


They should have insurance to cover that. Did you speak to them? Make sure you document the damage to the tank. A picture is worth a thousand words.
If all else fails then proceed as Marty suggested, small claims court.

[Mad4Macs]

The dealer took MANY pictures.
Kudos to my service manager. I approached him with my concerns, but he only told the technician that "there is a complaint of a fuel odor in the cabin".
The tech zeroed in on my punctured tank without further guidance.
They took photo's of the holes.
They took photo's of the holes with rulers measuring distances.
They pulled the tank and suggested that I bring it to the installer.
I drove many miles with the tank in the rental Focus (getting seriously fumigated along the way).
The Big Chain stated that they didn't want the fuel tank (still in the back seat of the rental).
I'm now in Gus O'Connors, an Irish Pub with Wi-Fi, substituting 93 octane with 101 Proof :D
Thanks, guys, the advice has been good (and the templates of "Where Not To Drill") have been invaluable.
I'll keep you posted...

[Mad4Macs]

The car is back (Thank the Lord. Enterprise called the Focus a "mid-sized" sedan).
So far, so good. Everyone involved has been completely professional in every regard. I handed the GM at the Big Chain store a floppy disk full of pictures... pictures with holes and measurements, he contacted the claims dept, and they agreed that their install caused the damage.
If this is taken care of by weeks end, I'll be ecstatic! Also, if this process goes as smoothly as it seems like it will, I'll post the name of the Big Chain and give kudos to everyone that made things right.
Wish me luck!

[martyo]

If this is taken care of by weeks end, I'll be ecstatic!

I still say you should hire one of those "big gun" lawyers! :D

[jgc61sr2002]

The car is back (Thank the Lord. Enterprise called the Focus a "mid-sized" sedan).
So far, so good. Everyone involved has been completely professional in every regard. I handed the GM at the Big Chain store a floppy disk full of pictures... pictures with holes and measurements, he contacted the claims dept, and they agreed that their install caused the damage.
If this is taken care of by weeks end, I'll be ecstatic! Also, if this process goes as smoothly as it seems like it will, I'll post the name of the Big Chain and give kudos to everyone that made things right.
Wish me luck!


Sounds like it is working out. :up: Good luck.

[Mad4Macs]

Kudos go to the team at Suburban Ford for their diligence, and to the folks at Best Buy for being prompt and professional.
No fuss, no muss, and I'm satisfied with the outcome.
Now... my Marauder went back into the shop today for a leak at the axle. The smell of burnt oil on my brakes is rather annoying... but that's another story!

[purelux]

I know the chains log nationally the damages and payout costs to fix them so the managers can see wahts going on and what to watch for. I saw on it one time they drilled into a porsche gas tank doing an amp it was like I wanna say $1500. With a chain they usuaally want to pay out rather than deal with a problem customer constantly. But one tip don't immediatly say I'm calling the bbb or attorney general. Many times if they get mad they'll let you do that knowing most people won't take the time to follow through or just out of spite of the customer. Just make sure to be firm but calm and not swear as soon as they hear that they don't take you as serously or want to take care of you as much.