Hi Folks.
I could use some suggestions. All are welcome.
I purchased a 99 Camry 4 cylinder from a "little old lady". It has
62,000 on it. Yes 62,000 miles. I had 4 new mich tires installed at Costco and took the car for an alignment at a local shop which has been in business for about 15 years. I like their work. At about 4 pm the shop called to say the alignment is fine but the engine (5SFE) is blown.That evening I went to look and the engine has a large grapefruit sized hole next to the oil filter. In fact part of the oil filter mounting is gone.
The service manager says they were about 200 yards from the station when the driver heard a loud bang. Upon looking in the rear mirror, there were parts comming from underneith the car.
Do I have a very nice junk car?
Is it cost effective to replace the engine?
What are the possibilities the transmission was damaged?
Do I have any recourse against the alignment shop?
I removed the 4 new tires and put them on one of my other Camry's - A
93 with 88,000 miles on it. I also have another 99 with 120,000 miles on it.I do all my own work but will not attempt an engine replacement.
Thanks for any imput.