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First time someone tossed one through the window to steal stuff. This time, I ran it over and it busted the oil pan.....which caused it to empty completely.
So the road leading to my house has had a very large pot hole growing since winter. Recently, a fairly forward thinking chap thought a chunk of concrete plopped in it may save a wheel if hit. But I'm not sure he thought forward enough about what happens when someone hit it and it tossed that chunk into the road. After avoiding the hole I had no time or space to avoid the chunk after I saw it.
So I turned around to remove it from the road and as I got to the front of the car and tossed the chunk I saw smoke....looked under and saw the flood of oil and quickly made it to my driveway which is around 40 yards away. I probably had about a quart left when I shut off. So you guys know, the warning center turns red warning you to shut the car off.....hopefully you never see this.
I'm not sure how much damage was done, there was a lot of traction control kicking in when I turned around and pulled into the driveway so I'm not sure what else that chunk may have hit. I called Nationwide to see if that would be covered, she said since it's an object on the road it should be....but I'm not sure how good the girl working in claims at 2:30 a.m. is at her policy knowledge.
So it won't be until tuesday until it gets sorted out. Until then the car is completely drained of oil. If anything other than the oil pan is damaged (say internal engine or trans damage etc) then this car will most likely be written a total loss. Shame, it's a very well kept car with 120k, but Nationwide is sure to be in disagreement as to it's value.
how much oil lost where I stopped to remove the chunk of concrete...that's my driveway on the left
where I turned around to go back. Remember it was after 2 a.m. so I couldn't really see this happening from the car
the last of it....I estimate it had a quart left at shut off. This bit concerns me....
if it was just the oil pan and you shut the car off relatively soon the engine should be fine. My brother drives a slammed VW and cracks or breaks oil pans regularly.
I hope that was all, though because I noticed late I ran it almost empty and I'm not sure what else may have been damaged. Motor sounded fine at shut off so it should be. But if not it'll be a shame to have Nationwide total it.
SHe's well kept for an old car. 3rd owner, majority of service was factory and no accident history or paint work. But with insurance it's all about numbers....I know all too well.
I'd say $5k would total it, and if it's got internal motor and other damage from the rock bouncing around I can see it easily getting close to that. Though it's real value is probably between $6-7k high retail.
and yes I'm being slightly pessimistic, it'll probably be just fine.
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