I am very new here and am looking for some help. I have a 2013 Aston Martin Vantage V8 4.7L with 30k miles on it that is hydro-locked. It happened while driving in Huracane Milton. I wasn't going more than 5mph when I hit a puddle outside of my driveway. The car stalled and would not crank. It was towed to the dealer who called the hydro-lock and said it had to have a new motor. Called the insurance company and they want to right the car off. The only problem is they are giving me nothing for the car, $15,000.00.

As soon as I get the car home I will take out all the plugs, put in my boroscope, and have a look at each cylinder. I am trying to find the parts I might need if the worst-case scenario plays out and that is a busted rod and a hole in the block. If it's a bent rod but the block is good I can rebuild it, but need to find someone who knows this motor to rebuild it. So I am keeping the car and looking for a used motor, short block, or any other suggestions you all might have out there if this motor is indeed toast. The car is in Florida 1 hour north of Tampa.
I want the thank you all in advance for any help you can provide.

 

Hi,

Sorry to hear about this.

On a hydrolock, usually it's a connecting rod(s) that goes and/or crankshaft, so you might not see much with a borescope.

Hope you have good luck with it if you're trying to fix it back. Hope you stay here with updates. Would like to see how it goes for you.

All the best!!

 

Your insurance is lowballing you. There are 27 2012-2015 Vantage on autotrader nationwide ranging from $40-85K. The majority are in the $50-60k range. You don't have to take their first offer. Make sure they know what you have and what it's worth and tell them to try again.

 

The best case would be only a rod or 3. I think I can get rods for not too bad of a price. But if it punched the block, well then that is a different story. As I get into this I will post some pic.

 

Yes, I know what the car is worth and it is 2.5 times what they are offering. I am hoping I can fix the car and in the end, get the insurance company to pay the bill. We will see how it goes.

 

The best case would be only a rod or 3. I think I can get rods for not too bad of a price. But if it punched the block, well then that is a different story. As I get into this I will post some pic.

 

Yes, I know what the car is worth and it is 2.5 times what they are offering. I am hoping I can fix the car and in the end, get the insurance company to pay the bill. We will see how it goes.

 

what state do you live in? Your profile says CA but that doesn’t jibe with your post. The reason I ask is your state likely has insurance regulations instructing ins companies how they must value a car. Usually, they have to come up with some comps and include all taxes and fees associated with the purchase. They can’t just lowball you and negotiate like they’re a prospective marketplace purchaser responding to a Craigslist ad. You’re welcome to try and fix it, but I’d just let them pay fair market value (plus taxes and fees), let them take it as salvage, and find another Aston Martin.
i assume you had comprehensive coverage and coverage for this accident is not in question.

 

Hey Jet61. Wow. Serious bummer. I would suggest checking in with Rich Seidlitz at Redpants.lol. I think he's not far from you in FL. He's a wealth of information DYI How-to. A great resource for education as well as parts, etc. I highly recommend him. He has helped me tremendously through the years with my '10 V8V. Good luck to you!

 

So here is what I think is my problem, I live in Canada for 6 months and Florida for the other 6. I think they feel they can beet on me because I am Canadian. Anyway, I will find the parts and I will fix the car come hell or high water, no pun intended here.
So if anyone knows where I can find what I need I would really appreciate the help.

 

They're not hosing you because you're Canadian, they're hosing you because they're an insurance company. Send them the comps of what you think your car is worth, and wait till the next higher lowball, and keep hitting them for what your car is worth. People take the first offer all the time, saving the company money. Don't fall for the tricks.

 

Sorry for your loss. The problem with hydrolocking a motor is that you usually bend/crack the crank along with the rods, along with the block. While you can have a crank straightened/welded/ground (for my DB9 it costs me about $1K), I wonder about the internals for that motor. But, like the posts above suggest, don't take their first offer...

 

Thank you for this information. I will try and look him up. You don’t by chance have his number??

 

Not likely that your being Canadian has anything to do with it, The relevant statute ilooks like Florida Statute 626.9743. Short read says they either have to provide comps or use a guide book that is a “generally recognized used motor vehicle industry source” like the Kelly Blue Book. They can’t just pick a low number out of their rear and play hardball. They have to provide the info they’re using for valuation if you request it. If I was you, I’d request it in writing and cite the statute in the request, just so they realize you’re not some dweeb they bulldoze into submission.

Do you own it free and clear or is there a lien holder? The offer is so absurd that I wonder if they meant they pay off the loan and then pay you 15k on top of that?

 

it my car free and clear.