One Speedhump = One Bora V5 Engine Screwed

[Troy]

Okay this is actually based on my thread posted about finding a sump/sump cover: http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/foru...ver-66825.html

..but I'm so cranky I needed to vent!

After meeting the mountainous speedhump, gouging a hole in my sump, and draining oil...I've now been told my engine is toast.

...by the way, I don't drive fast or wrecklessly...it's not like I hit it anywhere near the speed limit.

I'm not quite sure who I should be cranky with or what I should do. I topped up my engine oil as soon as I noticed and dropped it off outside my mechanic - at no point was there a oil light on the dash and the car sounded exactly as it always has when I dropped it off. Now I've been told by mechanic that one of the bearings have gone and it looks like an engine replacement (or other options yet to be given to me) will be required.

Could there have been damage without me hearing anything and without a warning light coming on? Did my mechanic "drive" it into the workshop knowing there was no oil? How on earth can councils put speedhumps that force you to slow down to 15km/h when the limit is 50 km/h and cause damage to vehicles.

Sorry to rant...makes me feel marginally better. Sort of. Maybe not

Troy.

[dylan8]

bummer dude!
was there signs saying slow to xxkm/h? or speed bump ahead?
you car is 100mm above the ground all the way under?

[mikinoz]

I'd get a second opinion.

[kapowww]

Bad luck dude. It happens.. Get another opinion as stated previously.

Honestly slowing down to 15km/h from 50km/h is reasonable if there's the warning sign which usually accompanies speed humps. Easy to miss though if you're not careful. Although sometimes there's no sign and the speed hump is the same colour as the road without the white or yellow stripes- that's when it sucks.

Good luck with everything man! I hate how cars cost us so much money..

[Troy]

My car is factory standard...nothing done to it so I'm assuming it's 100mm clearance (if that's the norm?).

I'm all for regulations for safety, and have no problem with speed humps....sure, they should slow down traffic and make roads safer but:

a) If you happen to be driving within the speed limit it shouldn't cause damage to your car
b) There are 4 speedhumps in this area all with a 15km/h "recommendation" and none of them are that severe.

The mechanics are Wolfsburg Motors (St. Peters).

I'll ask for a second opinion as suggested...not that I can actually drive it anywhere

Maybe it's covered by my insurance?

By the way, thanks for the condolences
Troy.

[VWfresh]

Damn dude that sux and at stock height to, thats crazy. you need one of these stickers now hahaha

[The_Hawk]

Bloody speed humps of all shapes and sizes *sakes fist*, in the VR6 I was always very careful, but you learn to be that way in a lowered car... but still, every now and again there is a built up hump that you just don't expect to be that harsh yet it jars your bones

[whiteVR6]

I would check the oil pump first, that sometimes give an indication of bearing damage

[wai]

For a speed bump to damage the sump, it could be because of a combination of things.

Either you were travelling to fast (above that posted for the "traffic calming" device), or the traffic calming device was not in accordance with standards, or your vehicle has less than the required ground clearance.

On traffic calming devices, there are standards for these things that specify the maximum height and the approach and departure slopes.

Some of the pressed metal and moulded rubber ones do not comply, however these are generally used in shopping centre carparks and the "recommended speed" speed is a lot lower than the ones on public roads. This said, many councils do not follow the standards anyway. The thing to do would be to measure the offending one and then check it against the standard. I know that shopping centres will spring to attention if you can show that their systems are incorrect. I had an incorrect height indicator that saw my Hiace hit a clearance marker in a shopping centre car park, and when I reported it to the shopping centre, they had my vehicle roof inspected for damage and would have undertaken any repairs. Fortunately there was none.

[Troy]

I was definitely going above the recommended speed for the speedhump, but only 30km/h over a 15km/h. The one before it is a flat as a pancake and this baby was damn ridge! As I mentioned before, over the recommended but under the legal should not result in damage.

The car is not lowered or modified in any way.

The speedhump was on a public road and it not rubber or metal. My step-sis works for QLD Mainroads and is going to find out the standard for NSW. In the meantime I'm going to get out my protractor and ruler!

Troy.

[wai]

What you need to check is the overall width of the hump and the centre height. Also check to see if there is a top landing or not to work out what the ramp angles are. I suppose this is where a smartphone with a "spirit level app" would be great.

Many councils build the hump hugher than the standard because they assume it will compress through use.

The standard will generally be an Australian Standard.

[djorkboy]

If I were you I would definitely be getting down to where that speed hump is with a tape measure, protractor and camera, but on the flip side and let me play Devil's advocate here for a second (and by saying this I'm not saying I don't feel your pain or trying to take a certain position, just trying to look at it from the other side), if I was with the organisation you tried to claim costs from I would be asking to see the receipt for the tow truck that you used to get your car from the site of the damage to the mechanics shop.

The question they are going to want an answer to is why did you drive the car after you noticed a hole in the sump (by filling it with oil you acknowledge that you knew there was a problem). How do you prove the damage was done between hitting the speedhump and realising there was a hole in the sump (which would make it their fault) instead of the damage being done between you topping up the oil and getting it to the mechanic (which could make it not their fault).

I would say you need to have a chat with your mechanic and make sure he is 100% on board with you before you approach the owner of the speed hump regarding damage.

[kapowww]

lol I just realised there's a difference between speed humps and speed bumps.

[dylan8]

lol I just realised there's a difference between speed humps and speed bumps.

haha got a laugh from this.

Standard for roads is the same throughout AUS as far as im aware.

[team_v]

I know in Queensland that if you have an accident above the recomended speed but below the legal speed you are still charged with dangerous driving.