Ondoy damaged Previa & Toyota's handling of flooded vehicles

[boybi]

Our Previa was a victim of Ondoy. It was not actually flooded, we were just passing by a street near A. Bonifacio, with less than a foot of flood water, when an oncoming truck caused the flood to wave and made a big splash on our van. The water was sucked into the engine through the air intake positioned under the hood facing forward. The engine died and our driver re-started the engine, which I didn't notice until the driver said the engine won't start anymore.

I brought the car to Toyota Tarlac and after dismantling the engine, I was given a quotation for labor and parts at around P200K++. The labor was just around 12K.

Then after a few days, Toyota released a Promo supposedly to help the victims of Ondoy: less 20% on labor and up to 40% on some parts. I was happy to see the ad in the newspaper and I immediately contacted Toyota to tell them about the promo but apparently, they have no idea about the promo.

So after a day or 2, I followed up again on the promo and they told me that most of my damaged parts were not part of the promo, if I remember correctly, only 2 of the parts have a discount. And what pissed my off was the huge increase in the cost of labor, from less than 12K to around 48K!!! (deducting the 20% discount on labor = 38K!!! more than double the initial labor cost).

After assessing the situation, I decided, through the recommendations of friends, that I would just find a surplus engine and just drop it in the engine bay and the car is good to go. My Previa is already almost 7 yrs. So I think getting a surplus engine is just ok.

Thinking that the 2.4L engine of the Previa is just the same as that of the Camry, I asked around for a surplus engine, either from a Camry or Previa, but no luck. Later on, I found out that the part number of the engine block of the Camry is different from that of the Previa, even if they have the same engine code.

Frustated on not finding a surplus engine for the Previa, I thought of just having the engine repaired. I went back to the Toyota dealer to give them the go signal to repair my engine with brand new parts. Then I was asked to sign a waiver before they will make any repairs on my engine. The waiver is to release Toyota of any liability and risk in association with the repair of the engine. Meaning, if after repairing the engine and something happened to the engine that caused injury or death to any person, Toyota will not be held liable. There will also be no warranty on their repairs.

Then I asked them why they increased the labor cost, I was answered it was to cover for the risk in repairing a flooded engine. But then I answered back that I was being asked to sign a waiver so the dealer would assume no risk, and yet they increased the labor cost to cover for the risk? WTF!

Did they really made the promo to help the victims of Ondoy, or was it to profit more from the tragedy??!?!

A few weeks ago, I emailed Toyota Motors Phils. about my situation. I did not get a reply from them, instead, I got a call from Toyota Cabanatuan, the head office of Toyota Tarlac. I was told they will assess the situation and see what they can do about it. After a few days, I got another call from them and was told that they will give me a 20% discount on all the parts and labor. But I asked back what about the waiver? I will spend around 200K in parts without the assurance that the engine will be OK after the repairs. What if their mechanic cannot make the engine to run? They'll be risk free because of the waiver I signed and I'll be 200K poorer and still my Previa will remain a piece of junk.

Haaayyyy, hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko sa Previa namin. Any takers here for a not-flooded-damaged-engine-only-Previa? Water did not get inside the car, btw.

[Memphis Raines]

Grabe naman sila sir Boybi. Talk about taking advantage of a customer's misfortune.

20k with no warranty ok pa but 200k?! Contradiction of terms when they jacked-up the labor cost then let's you sign the waiver if they screw up. I get the impression that they don't trust their own work even with brand new parts.

Have you tried inquiring with other dealers who can give you at least half of the repair cost in warranty?

[corvitz]

Our Previa was a victim of Ondoy. It was not actually flooded, we were just passing by a street near A. Bonifacio, with less than a foot of flood water, when an oncoming truck caused the flood to wave and made a big splash on our van. The water was sucked into the engine through the air intake positioned under the hood facing forward. The engine died and our driver re-started the engine, which I didn't notice until the driver said the engine won't start anymore.

I brought the car to Toyota Tarlac and after dismantling the engine, I was given a quotation for labor and parts at around P200K++. The labor was just around 12K.

Then after a few days, Toyota released a Promo supposedly to help the victims of Ondoy: less 20% on labor and up to 40% on some parts. I was happy to see the ad in the newspaper and I immediately contacted Toyota to tell them about the promo but apparently, they have no idea about the promo.

So after a day or 2, I followed up again on the promo and they told me that most of my damaged parts were not part of the promo, if I remember correctly, only 2 of the parts have a discount. And what pissed my off was the huge increase in the cost of labor, from less than 12K to around 48K!!! (deducting the 20% discount on labor = 38K!!! more than double the initial labor cost).

After assessing the situation, I decided, through the recommendations of friends, that I would just find a surplus engine and just drop it in the engine bay and the car is good to go. My Previa is already almost 7 yrs. So I think getting a surplus engine is just ok.

Thinking that the 2.4L engine of the Previa is just the same as that of the Camry, I asked around for a surplus engine, either from a Camry or Previa, but no luck. Later on, I found out that the part number of the engine block of the Camry is different from that of the Previa, even if they have the same engine code.

Frustated on not finding a surplus engine for the Previa, I thought of just having the engine repaired. I went back to the Toyota dealer to give them the go signal to repair my engine with brand new parts. Then I was asked to sign a waiver before they will make any repairs on my engine. The waiver is to release Toyota of any liability and risk in association with the repair of the engine. Meaning, if after repairing the engine and something happened to the engine that caused injury or death to any person, Toyota will not be held liable. There will also be no warranty on their repairs.

Then I asked them why they increased the labor cost, I was answered it was to cover for the risk in repairing a flooded engine. But then I answered back that I was being asked to sign a waiver so the dealer would assume no risk, and yet they increased the labor cost to cover for the risk? WTF!

Did they really made the promo to help the victims of Ondoy, or was it to profit more from the tragedy??!?!

A few weeks ago, I emailed Toyota Motors Phils. about my situation. I did not get a reply from them, instead, I got a call from Toyota Cabanatuan, the head office of Toyota Tarlac. I was told they will assess the situation and see what they can do about it. After a few days, I got another call from them and was told that they will give me a 20% discount on all the parts and labor. But I asked back what about the waiver? I will spend around 200K in parts without the assurance that the engine will be OK after the repairs. What if their mechanic cannot make the engine to run? They'll be risk free because of the waiver I signed and I'll be 200K poorer and still my Previa will remain a piece of junk.

Haaayyyy, hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko sa Previa namin. Any takers here for a not-flooded-damaged-engine-only-Previa? Water did not get inside the car, btw.

I am in the same situation, my Avanza got flooded up to glove compartment during the Ondoy typhoon. I asked a car electrican and he found out that the EFI was damaged. I went to Toyota Bicutan where I bought my Avanza, the parts manager quoted same price around 200K. I also checked with Toyota Makati but they have long lines of Ondoy victims cars. I finally checked with one of nearby repair shops, they quoted me much less amount, 15K for labour and 9K for EFI. Even though it would void the warranty I decided to go for the shop repair. I've been wondering why such a big fuzz with those Toyota workshops, they don't provide us the best after sales support. It looks like they are only friendly when you are buying a new car from them, afterwards they left you hanging on the air. I wish they would change how they deal with their customers after the sale had been consumated.

[boybi]

A new engine is 600K++

Right now I'm decided that I would be selling the car as is. Any takers?

[renzo_d10]

^^ Madami bibili nyan sir boybi. Try posting it in ad sites, yun nga lang palugi ang selling price.

Try mo i-alok dun sa bibili ng flooded fortuner sa isang thread. Baka interested siya.

[vinj]

Have you tried looking into those who import used cars from Japan? I see JDM Previa units similar to the 02/03 to 05 models we had locally (they seem to be sent in through Cagayan as they have the B plates). Perhaps you can find an engine through them. Do you have a list of what has to be repaired? If its hydrolocked then its mainly the engine block and cylinders/cylinder heads/valves that need replacement IMO. Try also asking some Toyota spare part shops in (i.e. NGK, Aerodynamic, etc) if they can source the parts for you then just have a competent shop do the work.

A second opinion shop may help also. Toyota seems to be charging a hell lot. My friend hydrolocked his Sentra before and it cost him around 20K++ in the Nissan CASA. They changed the valves and other stuff; good thing his cylinder head was not damaged.

On a sidenote, a friend's car which got flooded was first brought to Toyota and because the quote was friggin high, Prudential Insurance sent it to another shop in Pampanga. It seems to be even better as when i passed by and looked at their work it was obvious they removed everything and systematically cleaned it inch-by-inch and checked each part and harness which would need cleaning or replacement. The 2008 Camry they worked on and finished looks deceptively new (a guy bought it flooded for 400K and he spent another 250K to 300K for the repair and now uses it as his personal drive).

I stopped sending my Altis to Toyota after the 10,000kms service and based on what i've been reading on the net about CASA service, looks to be a good decision.

[rion]

A new engine is 600K++

damn... thought it would be just more or less 200k.

baka may puweding isalpak na ibang engine dyan. I recall oldy yotas basta same family like C-Series. example 2c puwede 3c. ganun kaya sa bagong yotas?

[boybi]

Pagod na rin ako sa pagiisip kung ano gagawin sa Previa that's why gusto ko nalang ibenta ng as is, especially busy na kami this december.

If nasa around 200K lang ang new engine, hindi na ako magdadalawang isip, salpak na agad new engine.

[oliver1013]

Try mo kumuntsaba sa isang mekaniko sa casa.. baka sakali may ma i suggest

[shadow]

Pagod na rin ako sa pagiisip kung ano gagawin sa Previa that's why gusto ko nalang ibenta ng as is, especially busy na kami this december.

If nasa around 200K lang ang new engine, hindi na ako magdadalawang isip, salpak na agad new engine.

good decision Boybi, I would also do the same thing.

[ajOT]

I am in the same situation, my Avanza got flooded up to glove compartment during the Ondoy typhoon. I asked a car electrican and he found out that the EFI was damaged. I went to Toyota Bicutan where I bought my Avanza, the parts manager quoted same price around 200K. I also checked with Toyota Makati but they have long lines of Ondoy victims cars. I finally checked with one of nearby repair shops, they quoted me much less amount, 15K for labour and 9K for EFI. Even though it would void the warranty I decided to go for the shop repair. I've been wondering why such a big fuzz with those Toyota workshops, they don't provide us the best after sales support. It looks like they are only friendly when you are buying a new car from them, afterwards they left you hanging on the air. I wish they would change how they deal with their customers after the sale had been consumated.

i totally agree with you on this one...

TS, why not try to check on other repair shop and so some canvass on the parts of your vehicle....

[promdiboy]

boybi, sorry to hear about your mishap. pag ako siguro papagawa ko na sa casa, kahit na mahal. charged to experience nalang. dati naputulan kami ng timing belt ng gen 2 pajero namin, casa din namin pina overhaul. inabot din ng 180k sa mitsu pampanga. sayang ang babyface mo baka tumanda ka sa pagiisip . kikitain mo parin naman yan. pag dala mo yung silver baka kinaya pa yung baha,

[boybi]

boybi, sorry to hear about your mishap. pag ako siguro papagawa ko na sa casa, kahit na mahal. charged to experience nalang. dati naputulan kami ng timing belt ng gen 2 pajero namin, casa din namin pina overhaul. inabot din ng 180k sa mitsu pampanga. sayang ang babyface mo baka tumanda ka sa pagiisip . kikitain mo parin naman yan. pag dala mo yung silver baka kinaya pa yung baha,

Naku, yan din inisip ko nung nabaha kami. Pag Pajero dala ko baka hindi kami nasiraan. Pero after kong malaman yung taas ng tubig sa Araneta Ave., sabi ko buti hindi Pajero dala ko, kundi lumulutang na rin kami sa baha.

[tanatej]

Kaya ba ng 3SGTE hatakin ang Previa? :D

[japong]

Boybi: grabe and mahal naman sir. since 200k magagastos mo sa engine parts and no warranty. what a casa is that, no quality work and service. Why don't you consider buying a surplus engine for your previa. change engine ka na lang. just my 2 cents..

ang may-ari pala ng toyota tarlac ay toyota cabanatuan din. just curious lang..hehe! ngayon ko lang nalaman. tiga-cabanatuan kasi ako..hehe!

[scharnhorst]

that is seriously screwed up.

wala na talagang ibang pwedeng ipalit na engine?

200k for a "repair" isn't quite worth it...

[glntVR]

Boybi: grabe and mahal naman sir. since 200k magagastos mo sa engine parts and no warranty. what a casa is that, no quality work and service. Why don't you consider buying a surplus engine for your previa. change engine ka na lang. just my 2 cents..

ang may-ari pala ng toyota tarlac ay toyota cabanatuan din. just curious lang..hehe! ngayon ko lang nalaman. tiga-cabanatuan kasi ako..hehe!

did you read sir boybi's post?

[r_delro]

mechanical and electrical ba yung problem ng engine?curious lang....if mechanical you can have it fixed somewhere else...

[water]

Walang acts of God yang previa mo?

[1stgear]

there's a lot of mechanics, why don't you have it repaired elsewhere?