Exposed Engine Bay at Body Shop

Sir,

I worked as a service advisor at a new car dealership for many years and I can tell you that this is actually quite bad and I can tell you why. So, first let me share some insight with you. Very often we would have windshields replaced at the dealer by an aftermarket glass company, these guys would come and do the work and then slap the advisor 100 cash for commission if it billed to insurance. So anyways, back to the point. Sometimes these glass companies would not properly seal the bottom of the windshield and when it rained for the very first time after the install the water would seep through the bottom seal, into the engine compartment and would often cause anywhere from 250 dollars in repair damages to often well over $1000.00 in repairs. And that is just from a tiny amount of water seeping through a gasket. Imagine if your hood were left completely off! I'm not saying this to upset you further but rather to simply give you some information that you can use if the body shop tries to tell you that this is ok. It most certainly is not!

Jayson in Arizona said:

Sir,

I worked as a service advisor at a new car dealership for many years and I can tell you that this is actually quite bad and I can tell you why. So, first let me share some insight with you. Very often we would have windshields replaced at the dealer by an aftermarket glass company, these guys would come and do the work and then slap the advisor 100 cash for commission if it billed to insurance. So anyways, back to the point. Sometimes these glass companies would not properly seal the bottom of the windshield and when it rained for the very first time after the install the water would seep through the bottom seal, into the engine compartment and would often cause anywhere from 250 dollars in repair damages to often well over $1000.00 in repairs. And that is just from a tiny amount of water seeping through a gasket. Imagine if your hood were left completely off! I'm not saying this to upset you further but rather to simply give you some information that you can use if the body shop tries to tell you that this is ok. It most certainly is not!

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This makes no sense at all. A leak in the gasket at the bottom of a windshield does NOT allow water into the engine compartment, it allows it into the truck cab itself. This could easily cause damage. Water runs down the windshield and into a trough that if it is raining hard enough will allow water into the engine compartment but is has zero to do with the windshield being installed right. Water also gets into the engine compartment from rain hitting the front of the vehicle and water splased up by the wheels. Engine comartments are FAR from watertight. For a guy that was a service advisor that should be pretty common knowledge to have.

Shops back cars out of the workspace all the time with sometimes no front panels on at all ...for a week or more if they're waiting on a hard-to-get part. Yer talking so little water in that snow. Connectors are water-sealed and have been since the early 80's. But I understand your concern.

If they put a tarp on it and it started to blow and the tarp flaps around that can damage the rest of the paint. So that's not the greatest solution. If they taped some clear plastic over it, then some dufus might get in and start the engine and the plastic get sucked into the fan (goof-ups happen all the time). So that not ideal. A guy could have probably put a piece of cardboard over the top, and thrown some 2x4's to hold it from blowing away. Bodyshops usually have an abundance of cardboard around. And it's not like your engine compartment is that clean anyway. I can see lots of accumulated dust and dirt. If anything it might have cleaned it off some. Also, you live in what looks like a pretty dry area anyway. Any water will quickly evaporate.


Ask them to hose off the engine compartment from sitting outside, and don't get all that worked up. If you showed up half way through a micheal angelo sculpture or painting you'd say, "Wow, what a piece of crap." ...well,, yeah, it's not completed. Wait till the finished product.

Nice looking tk btw!

I understand the concern of the OP and covering the engine bay would make the shop look better (though I would have more concern about a tarp flapping around and causing damage to the paint). However I will say that a little snow will not cause any issues at all. Engine bays are not waterproof by any means.....go drive 30 miles on the freeway during a heavy rain and then immediately pull over and pop the hood and take a look. Or go plowing through some mud holes and see what the engine bay looks like. Just remember that engine bays will dry pretty quick simply because the engine is hot and the water will quickly evaporate. Also no comparison between spraying an engine down with a 150 psi pressure washer and a little snow melting on it. Regarding the poster talking about windshields and water in the engine bay, that makes absolutely no sense at all.

I don't think the snow will hurt anything, but I agree that I would prefer not to see it there.

I would be more concerned about that under hood light being on. That will kill the battery in a day or two, which is a much bigger problem. Seems that the battery should be disconnected, or at least unplug the light.

Does anyone know if that light automatically goes off after 15 minutes, or some other time? If so, then it would not really be a problem.

PolarisCobra said:

I don't think the snow will hurt anything, but I agree that I would prefer not to see it there.

I would be more concerned about that under hood light being on. That will kill the battery in a day or two, which is a much bigger problem. Seems that the battery should be disconnected, or at least unplug the light.

Does anyone know if that light automatically goes off after 15 minutes, or some other time? If so, then it would not really be a problem.

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No, the light will stay on as long as the contact is made via a ball that acts as an inclinometer.

If the light is simply turned upside down in the picture, then it will go off as the ball will slide away from making contact.

This is why shops hate it when city-slicker (mindset) customers 'not in the know' show up to the shop -- The average Joe-blow doesn't understand how the sausage is made. Little things like a little bit of snow on an already filthy engine compartment ...become overblown. What if there was door repair going on, say you walk in when the tech is hammering on the door jamb and it seems harder than the customer thinks it should be? Are you going to take a video and put it online for more joe-blows to comment on? ....Or the tech is beating hard on suspension regions to straighten out a member being pulled (with a maul). Or there are some runs in the paint, which the shop plans to wetsand/buff out? Or you replaced a quarter panel on a classic car and the tech is beating on the panel to get it straight? Harder than you think is fit.

Having worked at a shop, ...some guys make a big deal out of small things (quite frequently). Been there...

Now wait. Your next step in the process is: you should demand the work to be done for free. Because we all know these shops make million$ a year. Then, as soon as there's ANY sort of hiccup in the next 10-20k miles, minor or major, of course you must because of the repair. (been there too!). Then you absolutely must go back to the shop and threaten to have them pay for whatever problems yer having ....and then threaten to give them a bad name online ...and don't forget to get the BBB involved. lol Then you should probably spend 12 hours of your own time stammering around making a case and take them to small-claims court too.

Obviously I'm being facetious, but you get the point. Your truck looks great. Maybe ask if they can pressure wash the engine compartment and leave it be. Trucks get way more moisture in them in rainy areas following semi trucks, and in periods where it's foggy for 3 days straight.

chopperman1 said:

No big deal. Engine bay's are not waterproof.

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Is that the ole M60A3 in yer Avatar? LOL...

I hope you went into the shop and talked with whoever is in charge of the shop. I would've demanded the truck be brought inside cleaned up and a tarp or some kind of covering be put over the engine bay. Leaving the hood light on shows a total lack of caring as if letting snow cover your engine isn't bad enough. You are not over reacting. That is not acceptable ever for a customers vehicle to be treated.

turkeybird56 said:

Is that the ole M60A3 in yer Avatar? LOL...

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Sure is!! 1984-1992, 19E Armor Crewman

I too would be annoyed as eff. It’s not their right to get your business it’s their privilege. YOU chose them, they should be honoured to work on your vehicle. They are making money from your business whether insurance pays for the work or you do. Lack of customer service/care is rampant these days. My 2 bits.

Jayson in Arizona said:

Sir,

I worked as a service advisor ... Very often we would have windshields replaced at the dealer by an aftermarket glass company...companies would not properly seal the bottom of the windshield and when it rained for the very first time after the install the water would seep through the bottom seal, into the engine compartment and would often cause anywhere from 250 dollars in repair damages to often well over $1000.00 in repairs. ...

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The issue you're describing is a common one when getting the windshield tinted, but your error is that the damage is causes to electronics in the cab under the dash, not in the engine bay.

Stephen Riley said:

...When detailing an engine they tell you to cover certain electrical connections and to never spray high pressure water into engine bay. The snow sitting atop the exposed bay seriously concerns me. I would have thought some attempt of a cover would have been done. Might be dusty but never any rust or electrical issues. I would assume they are designed to get wet obviously, but should I be concerned? Am I over-reacting? I don't have a lot in this world but I work really hard to take care of what I do have. Thoughts? Thank you.

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This is very common, and rarely a cause for concern.

Had a vehicle getting hail repair that had the engine exposed like that for over a month. When I checked during the inspection they had detailed the engine bay, so I was glad I had not gone off prematurely. In your place I'd keep the pics handy, inspect the under hood area for any excess dirt or abnormal debris when inspecting the other work at pickup, and ask questions about the condition if there is a concern.

Covers tend to cause more issues than they solve. The hardest rain or snow is not equivalent to a power washer's ability to push water past weather protected seals or into unsealed areas. Snows and ice don't tend to promote rust when still frozen. Not too much worse than parking in a humid climate. I'd be more worried in the fall with leaves trapping moisture in place promoting rust and offering comfort for critters that might want to snack on things.

chopperman1 said:

Sure is!! 1984-1992, 19E Armor Crewman

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Yup, spent many a day in da German Woods, Reforgers/Caravan Guards with M60's before the M-1A1's really got out there, and then with M-1A1's also.

95B Straff Germany, 84-94.

I'd rather just leave it open. Over the years I've seen some crazy paint scratches and chafing from Tarps and bungees! That engine bay is RAM tough.

Silver lining thoughts here:

I live in SE TX, where we have torrential rains that cause floods. I am talking 2"- 5" per hour sometimes. Very different from dry Utah! A crazy guy lived down the road from me a few years back where I used to live. This guy was seriously unstable (but that's another story) and he literally tried to destroy his truck, it seemed. He beat it with a hammer, then took the hood off after it became too crushed and started making contact with the engine. He then drove (abused) that truck without a hood on, in every type of weather. Yes we do not have any snow but he drove it in torrential wind driven rains, and it never stopped. Crazy old dude died but that beat up truck was still running, AFAIK.

The tarp could have very well caused scratches in the wind if not secured down, and could have trapped moisture. The right thing the shop should have done is ask you, the customer, how you would like it handled. I think you had a very legit concern to speak up about but in the end if driving for months with no hood in SE TX did not damage a truck, I think there will be zero issues for you.

Nobody is asking the whole truck to be tarped, a simple piece of tarp to cover the engine compartment with 4 small 4x4 to put on each corner to hold it down or a bungee cord or 2 would have taken 2 minutes to show some care. The light on the battery and is "on" shows the lack of attempt, another 10 seconds to unplug and put inside cab. I still don't think it will hurt it but it definitely doesn't make the shop look good.Some of the comments on here shows the American work force that I'm ashamed of. If you're under 40 you probably won't know what I'm talking about when I say it use to be a handshake between 2 people was more valuable back then than having your moms signature notarized today to hold her to her word. Sad!

Stephen Riley said:

Appreciate the feedback. I am one p*ssed off individual and getting madder and more frustrated by the minute. Really surprised by the whining comment. I guess he leaves his hood up during rainstorms and snowstorms. I have read this forum over the last few years and because of great info on this site changed my upper control arms, swapped exhaust manifolds and drilled out broken studs, changed out rotors and brakes, and completed a few other miscellaneous maintenance tasks on my own. Not a mechanic but not afraid to get in there and do work where and when I can. I do plan on leaving reviews on Google and Yelp, giving credit where it is due (they were very polite and accommodating with insurance and rental car setup), but highlighting what I believe was a very egregious error, and ultimately utter disregard for something I worked my tail off for. I may also contact the Better Business Bureau. You would think there could be some liability and I would think this isn't considered reasonable care, but I'm not a lawyer. I have emailed the shop but have yet to hear from the owners. I'll update when all is said and done.

If this is what a supposedly "good" reputable shop does I'd be terrified to go elsewhere. Battery less than a month old and covered in snow, snow atop the main fuse/relay box that is to never get moisture, grommets, fasteners, and other items sitting atop bay edge covered by snow, very frustrated. Oh, and with the light on battery dead. I've worked as a sales/customer service manager for a good portion of my adult life, so consider myself thick skinned, patient, and forgiving. Hard to make me mad, but this did it.

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Are you a problem solver? Do you believe in one-upmanship? If so, take pictures (you have), go buy a tarp, go back and cover YOUR own hoodless engine and take another round of photos, get the facility owner or manager, and cooly and calmly let them know these photos will be posted on social media. Let them know that you will seek to do business elsewhere in the future and will shake your head in quiet, sad knowledge when, in the future, you drive by their out of business facility.

gfh77665 said:

Silver lining thoughts here:

I live in SE TX, where we have torrential rains that cause floods. I am talking 2"- 5" per hour sometimes. Very different from dry Utah! A crazy guy lived down the road from me a few years back where I used to live. This guy was seriously unstable (but that's another story) and he literally tried to destroy his truck, it seemed. He beat it with a hammer, then took the hood off after it became too crushed and started making contact with the engine. He then drove (abused) that truck without a hood on, in every type of weather. Yes we do not have any snow but he drove it in torrential wind driven rains, and it never stopped. Crazy old dude died but that beat up truck was still running, AFAIK.

The tarp could have very well caused scratches in the wind if not secured down, and could have trapped moisture. The right thing the shop should have done is ask you, the customer, how you would like it handled. I think you had a very legit concern to speak up about but in the end if driving for months with no hood in SE TX did not damage a truck, I think there will be zero issues for you.

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I doubt a tarp will trap any more moisture than a closed hood. I live in Houston, by GOD!, Texas. So, I'm all too familiar with "torrential rains". But, how many times have you observed some moron foraging through surface water on the freeway, kicking up a 10 foot rooster tail? The matching water deluge on the INSIDE tire trac is very devastating to the underhood, or is it?