Thread: Scored crankshaft after gasket replacement?

Hello Everyone,

So my 2004 grand prix gtp had a leaky oil pan gasket, intake gasket, and timing cover gasket replaced after the shop I go to recommended doing this before the leaks got any worse. After charging me about 2K to replace all the gaskets, I got about 3 hours of driving time before the motor quit. I had it towed back to the shop and now they tell me crankshaft is scored so the engine is basically done. Things were working fine before having the gaskets replaced, it was more preventative maintenance. The shop feels really bad but hasn't done anything else. So now I'm out 2K on the repair bill which unfortunately I paid right away and now the car needs a motor.

They have no idea what caused the scoring but I'm going to talk to the mechanic on Monday about where to go from here.

My question is, do you think they messed up my engine or is this a coincidence? It has 315,000KM (195731 miles) but was working fine before the gasket replacement. I've always been diligent about regular maintenance and oil changes.

ANY advice is very appreciated as I'm going to have to figure something out with the shop on Monday!

They dropped something in the engine, started it without oil, didn't use assembly lube, didn't mark your timing chain, didn't mark your crankshaft, etc.

There is no doubt in my mind that someone in their shop f***** up.

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meant to reply Thompsju

Originally Posted by Thompsju

They dropped something in the engine, started it without oil, didn't use assembly lube, didn't mark your timing chain, didn't mark your crankshaft, etc.

There is no doubt in my mind that someone in their shop f***** up.

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Thanks for the input. My thoughts exactly but I'm not a mechanic.

SOmbody started it without oil after changing the gasket, only way to "F" up the crank after dropping the oil pan.

Originally Posted by QUICKSILVER462

SOmbody started it without oil after changing the gasket, only way to "F" up the crank after dropping the oil pan.

Thanks. It's good to know this is the only way to score the crank. Gives me some ammo.

I'd start with an independent inspection. If you have insurance on the vehicle, they may help you out.

Also look into your state laws. I absolutely CRUSHED a dealership that screwed me on some work they did. The shop manager refused to work with me, until I showed up with the "Minnesota Truth in Repair Act" in my hand.

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Originally Posted by Thompsju

I'd start with an independent inspection. If you have insurance on the vehicle, they may help you out.

Also look into your state laws. I absolutely CRUSHED a dealership that screwed me on some work they did. The shop manager refused to work with me, until I showed up with the "Minnesota Truth in Repair Act" in my hand.

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Thanks for the advice. I'm in Canada but will check into that.

A little more info....

Right after I had brought the car home after replacing the gaskets, I thought I had a small leak as there was a very small amount of liquid on my driveway (couldn't tell if it was oil or antifreeze as there were previous stains on the driveway). I noticed the liquid the next morning. Then I drove about two hours, mostly highway. While I was driving in the city I noticed the temp gauge getting hotter, but not in the red. Driving back from the city the temp was back to normal. I got back from the city and I went back to the shop and told them about the leak and the rising temp gauge. A mechanic had a quick look and said he couldn't see any problems but to bring it back Monday. He said it was okay to drive but just watch the temp gauge.

So the next day (Saturday) in the last hour of driving I was watching the temp gauge like a hawk and to my surprise it was right it the middle so I thought maybe all was well. This was on the highway, 100km/h or 65mph. While rounding a turn the engine gave out and the temp shot right into the red. I pulled over and opened the hood as some smoke was coming out. I believe the smoke was oil that has escaped and touched the hot motor.

So I wait 45 minutes for my friend to come give me a tow to his farm yard. By the time he got there the engine had cooled back into the operating zone. He needed me to turn the car around and point the opposite direction to make the tow easier. So I started the car for about 15 seconds to do this. When I hooked up the tow line I noticed some oil in the passenger side wheel well.

Then on Monday the shop, which also tows, sent a tow truck and picked up the car from my friends yard. Then about a week later they finally get to checking my car and that is when I learned about the scored crankshaft.

I'm off to visit a friend but will be back here in a few hours.

Thanks everyone.

The engine was ran without oil in it, and it takes only a second and it's all over.

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Originally Posted by Thompsju

The engine was ran without oil in it, and it takes only a second and it's all over.

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When the shop checked out the car they told me it was only down a half litre. Still plenty of oil in the motor. They initially figured I blew a seal or bearing before actually checking the car to find the crankshaft being scored.

Or the timing chain wasn't set right. If that's off. BOOM goes the dynamite.

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Originally Posted by Thompsju

Or the timing chain wasn't set right. If that's off. BOOM goes the dynamite.

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Would I get 3 hours of use if the timing chain wasn't set right?

I'm insinuating that THEY ran it without oil.

Nonetheless, they did something to your car.

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Originally Posted by Thompsju

I'm insinuating that THEY ran it without oil.

Nonetheless, they did something to your car.

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Thanks man, I wasn't sure