Sled caught fire and burned up after engine rebuild...is builder responsible?

[snowmanx]

So, the story goes like this, I had complete engine rebuild on a 08 nytro mcxpress 270 sled. 31 miles into the first ride, engine catches fires and sled burns down to the ground.
I just had the engine rebuilt, and it cost me $2900, plus another 700 or so in other repairs.

I spoke with the builder the day it happened, and he offered no explanation of what may have happened, and of course, there is no real way to pinpoint exactly what caused the failure. The sled did have a poor idle right before going up in flames.

I suggested that a fair compromise would be to split the 3600 bill, but the builder did not believe he had ANY responsibility in it or for it?

I am obviously frustrated, am I just **** out of luck?

I don't like to sue, and have never taken anyone to court, but I am considering it in this case.

I just need some honest opinions about what to do in this case. I had a good working relationship with this builder and he has helped me out over the years with questions, but I am amiss that he is not taking any reponsiblity for it.

I thought splitting the bill was a more than a fair compromise? Am I wrong?

THanks for your opinions.

 

[ak]

Who installed it?

 

[snowmanx]

Who installed it?

I am not going to say at this point. It was the same builder the built the sled that did the revuild. Very reputable, I don't want to smear his name, I just want what is fair.

 

[fredw]

You know he was being kind and your first words are that!! Wow

Who installed it?

I think that would be fair, but some guys don't leave enough to into it to make something like that work,. Might have to write this one off.. Break a good relationship over something stupid

Just heard the snow is real good in mirass pass just west of you thou.. Heading that way in the morning

 

[FatDogX]

I have a few questions.....

So, there is absolutely no way to trace the origin? Have you researched or reached out to anyone that may be able to assist with investigating the cause? If push comes to shove, this could be very helpful down the road.

The builder / installer is NOT accepting any responsibility and is NOT willing to even negotiate something?

I would also be documenting everything to a "T" as this also may be helpful down the road. Things like phone calls, dates, what was said and what does done are all very important, if this ends up in court.

Crappy deal, I hope you can work something out!!

 

[Sledsniper]

Sounds more than fair.

 

[cash]

sled burn

INSURANCE ???

 

[ak]

You know he was being kind and your first words are that!! Wow



I think that would be fair, but some guys don't leave enough to into it to make something like that work,. Might have to write this one off.. Break a good relationship over something stupid

Just heard the snow is real good in mirass pass just west of you thou.. Heading that way in the morning

I don’t want name just if the owner installed the motor are the builder?

 

[snowmanx]

Builder dI'd it all. I have insurance, but they are not covering for a comp sled. They compared it to a stock sled.

Insurance or not, instill think builder should take some responsubilty. But, I probably SOL.

 

[kidwoo]

You didn't specify how much of that 2600 was labor vs parts but splitting it with you (1800) he still has 800 in a sale, plus the 700 in other bits.

I don't know man, that seems fair to me, more than fair actually. He would still get some money out of it and "lose" 1800 while maintaining a good relationship as well as future sales/service and recommendations to friends. I'm on your side. And at the same time if he's doing rebuilds and didn't double check a fuel line or something, that's kind of slack and people should know who it is. I personally think you're being very diplomatic about it. You paid for a service and it cost you a sled.

 

[up-high]

31 miles after a rebuild it goes up in flames? Someone didn't tighten a fuel line clamp and it leaked on to a hot turbo(or other heat source if it isn't a front mount).
A reputable builder/shop would cover that. Their mistake. You're being a lot more accomodating than I would be!!
Did they do the rebuild in the sled or did you reinstall after?

 

[Blu Du]

I think it is an insurance deal. when I toatled my sled I had just put a new top end in and gave them the receipts and the insurance company paid me for the recent repairs.

 

[snowmanx]

31 miles after a rebuild it goes up in flames? Someone didn't tighten a fuel line clamp and it leaked on to a hot turbo(or other heat source if it isn't a front mount).
A reputable builder/shop would cover that. Their mistake. You're being a lot more accomodating than I would be!!
Did they do the rebuild in the sled or did you reinstall after?

I didn't touch it. He did the tear down and the reinstall, that means every electricl, fuel line, and coolant hose was redone by him. Engine tore down, bearing's replaced. ...

I know I am at the losing end of the stick. Whether I have insurance or not really isn't the point. But, I guess that really doesn't matter.

 

[Coldfinger]

The insurance adjuster will handle it. Yes, you pay your deduct and yes you will not get back what you have into it.

I might be wrong but I think a person can insure it for more to include mods (too late in this case) but not sure what they require to do that. Your agent can tell you. I have only heard it is not unusual to do so.

 

[Jaynelson]

Anyone who's ever worked in a repair shop that does retail knows that ....."you guys JUST worked on my ABC and now XYZ failed in it" ....is pretty much a daily conversation. The vast majority of the time, the failure is unrelated, or unpredictable at the time of repair. So with no way to pinpoint what happened, it would be tough for the shop to pony up for that IMO. Of course it's totally possible it's something to do with the rebuild, but it's so hard to say after the fact. He may feel very confident he did everything correctly, and isn't simply denying responsibility for the sake of it. It sounds like crappy luck, which is the reason for insurance.

You could sue him, sure....I just don't know what evidence you have against the shop (even if it was totally their fault). Unless you can get someone with some fire damage expertise to narrow down what the failure may have been (sounds tough, but I know nothing about that stuff). It's also a lot of time and brain damage to go through legal proceedings (been there, got the Tshirt), so you gotta ask yourself if it's really worth it. Was borderline for me (at best)...even though I "won." The insurance co likely has a fire damage dude, who would then in turn go after the shop if they felt they had a case. I

 

[Pro-8250]

Anyone who's ever worked in a repair shop that does retail knows that ....."you guys JUST worked on my ABC and now XYZ failed in it" ....is pretty much a daily conversation. The vast majority of the time, the failure is unrelated, or unpredictable at the time of repair. So with no way to pinpoint what happened, it would be tough for the shop to pony up for that IMO. Of course it's totally possible it's something to do with the rebuild, but it's so hard to say after the fact. He may feel very confident he did everything correctly, and isn't simply denying responsibility for the sake of it. It sounds like crappy luck, which is the reason for insurance.

You could sue him, sure....I just don't know what evidence you have against the shop (even if it was totally their fault). Unless you can get someone with some fire damage expertise to narrow down what the failure may have been (sounds tough, but I know nothing about that stuff). It's also a lot of time and brain damage to go through legal proceedings (been there, got the Tshirt), so you gotta ask yourself if it's really worth it. Was borderline for me (at best)...even though I "won." The insurance co likely has a fire damage dude, who would then in turn go after the shop if they felt they had a case. I

I agree with Jay. But.
I have been in the (not related to snowmobile) electrical industry for 40 years. When ever we have had to trouble shoot a problem, the first thing I ask is, has anything changed here before the problem came about. Have you or anyone done anything here or made any changes to anything? Electrical, mechanical, structural? For you my friend it sounds like everything was fine until the update. My guess is that the builder is at fault. This is my $.02 from my life experiences.

 

[Sledsniper]

Had the motor out. Therefore all fuel and electrical was touched. How could it not be related to the repair? 31 Miles after major overhaul? Really how could it not be related?
You can’t say they worked on ABC and XYZ caused the fire.
That’s the same as saying 1+1=3. It’s not rocket science.
I have been in the retail business and we all make mistakes.
Own up to them and save face.

 

[Mafesto]

Claim it on your insurance.
They will pay you.
They may, or they may not pursue the builder.
If they do, then they are the bad guy, not you.
This takes the monkey off of your back, and perhaps you can salvage the relationship with the builder.

 

[Jaynelson]

Had the motor out. Therefore all fuel and electrical was touched. How could it not be related to the repair? 31 Miles after major overhaul? Really how could it not be related?
You can’t say they worked on ABC and XYZ caused the fire.
That’s the same as saying 1+1=3. It’s not rocket science.
I have been in the retail business and we all make mistakes.
Own up to them and save face.

You could forget the park brake on, or have the brake lever ice up/stick on just enough any time with the same result. There’s a decent chance it was due to the repairs, but other reasonably probable scenarios also exist....that’s why it’s a good candidate for insurance, then no one has to make that call. JMO

 

[joshkoltes]

id say the builder should definitely help. sounds like they didn't get it right. the last one that failed on me I had to cover. luckily I was sent the wrong parts so the supplier covered some of it