Interesting story re: shipping a car

[Jeff in IL]

What is the name of your state? Il

Recent event that happened to a friend. He bought a car in CA and was having it shipped to NY. The engine froze in transit (race car, no anti-freeze, we use water w/a special solution added) requiring a full engine rebuild.

The buyer claimed full responsiblity stating that he owned the car at shipment, had a full right to inspect the car and arranged for shipment and was prepared to have his engine rebuilt.

The transport company "insisted" on paying half the cost, quite unusual in today's world.

Anyway, who was actually responsible, buyer/seller/shipper. Was there any need for the transport to pony up half?

 

[justalayman]

There isn't enough info to give an accurate call.
Way too many unknowns but it sounds like the shipping company probably did not have any liability.

Who was it? There is a guy that comes to the forums that uses FEDX that would surely like to use this shipper. (just kiddiing, don't really need to know who it was. it's kind of an inside joke for those who know)

 

[dallas702]

Having shipped more than a few cars I can say that the shipper had no responsibility for the engine unless he had guaranteed the car would be kept in a climate controlled container.

Also, another reason for not using that "water wetter" crap.

 

[divgradcurl]

Having shipped more than a few cars I can say that the shipper had no responsibility for the engine unless he had guaranteed the car would be kept in a climate controlled container.

Also, another reason for not using that "water wetter" crap.

Well, crap or not, he did say the car was a race car, and I don't know of any type of racing (on asphalt or concrete, at least) these days that allows anitfreeze anymore -- they all require water wetter. Maybe street legal drags or autocross or performance driving school (where you are running street cars) may allow antifreeze, but hell, even the track days for street motorcycles require water wetter nowadays...

 

[rmet4nzkx]

Well, crap or not, he did say the car was a race car, and I don't know of any type of racing (on asphalt or concrete, at least) these days that allows anitfreeze anymore -- they all require water wetter. Maybe street legal drags or autocross or performance driving school (where you are running street cars) may allow antifreeze, but hell, even the track days for street motorcycles require water wetter nowadays...

If that is the case then the seller should have prepared the vehicle for shipping, since it is winter and freezing many places perhaps draining the fluids would have been appropriate and then toping them off upon arrival unless it was shipped in a climate controlled carrier, in that case the shipper might be reposnsible for the cost. This is why airlines don't ship animals all year long.

 

[dallas702]

Water Wetter may be a decent substitute on the track, but it is being marketed to people as a daily driver replacement for coolant by some sellers. I've seen the lab tests and it's not a proper substitute. In fact some tests show that it does nothing more than water.

Anyway, if the car was being shipped in freezing weather it should have been drained.

 

[You Are Guilty]

I realize this is way off topic, but you're not talking about Redline Water Wetter, (the neon pink stuff), are you? Since when did that become a replacement for coolant?!

 

[justalayman]

I realize this is way off topic, but you're not talking about Redline Water Wetter, (the neon pink stuff), are you? Since when did that become a replacement for coolant?!

It's not a replacement. It's an additive. Water would still be the coolant base.

 

[dallas702]

Correct. I didn't mean it was being sold as a replacement for water, but as a replacement for coolant...which it is not.