Legal Question in Business Law in Wisconsin

Engine failure

I drive a dirt open-wheel modified and last year we purchased a brand new engine from a local engine shop. The engine was $14,000 and we ran it for four nights(approx. 100 laps). On the fourth night it blew up and everything was completely junk. The only salvagable thing was the heads worth about $3,000. In the first four nights we knew something was wrong and the engine was taken back to him three times and he gave us the okay every time. I am wondering if there is a possibility that I could get any money back from this guy. We also had the heads looked at and it had valve-springs that are for an OEM vehicle. The engine was not right right off of the bat. That is why we took it to him three times while it was still good. I realize there is no warranty on race engines but there's got to be something we can do. $14,000 is a lot of money. Can I get any money back?


Asked on 2/05/08, 4:53 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Sean Sweeney Tosa Law Office

Re: Engine failure

Perhaps you could sue him for damages, but it seems to me that you would have to be able to show that the engine was defective and probably have to show that he knew or should have known that it was defective. It seems like a lot to prove for a relatively small amount of possible damages. (I assume you have talked to him and tried to negotiate some kind of deal, maybe a severe discount on a new engine?)

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Answered on 2/06/08, 2:52 pm


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