QuestionQUESTION: During Thanksgiving stop-and-go traffic, i was involved in a crash at about 10-15 mph. It seems that my bumper, which is unscratched, slid under his car. The result was that the grille on my 2002 Hyundai Sonata absorbed the impact. The collision caused my hood to be rounded, but not really dented. I have three problems now:
1. My hood won't close because of the curve in it-its currently tied down with wire. This causes resistance when i drive (i think it makes me drive slower too)
2. The engine starts, but takes a split second longer than usual to start
3. I've never dealt with "insurance company mechanics" before. I don't know if fixing this is worth the deductible.
Should I just hire someone to straighten out my hood, should I trust an assessment that is from insurance co. mechanics? Any advice is appreciated!!!
ANSWER: Hello Rachael! Rachael, you desperately need to go see a body shop, ASAP. The bowed hood that won't shut is a 100% indication that there is at least minor structural damage under the hood on a part of the front structure called the radiator support. Usually when a hood is bowed like this, its junk. You see, even if there isn't really damage on the outside, the inner structure is bent. That inner structure is what gives the hood strength and rigidity. Trying to straighten the inner structure will cause damage to the outer skin. I may be wrong, I can't see the hood all the way out here in cyber space, but I seldom repair hoods that have bowed enough that they won't latch any longer. Now, Just because your insurance company recommends certain shops, that doesn't mean you have to go to those shops to have the repair done. YOU make the car payments, YOU pay the insurance premiums, THEY work for YOU. Don't ever forget that. They might cause a fuss, but in the end, it's your car- take it where you feel comfortable- not where they will save a buck. As far as the car taking longer to start, I think it's weather related, not accident related. You may be noticing it as a coincidence. As it gets colder and the nights get damp, it will take a bit more to start. Now, if it takes several more seconds to start, you get a check gauges or check engine light while the car is running,(these normally stay on for a few seconds after the car starts, but shut off within 10 seconds) or you get a low coolant light- then there is a problem. Have a great evening, sorry to hear you had an accident over the holiday. Bill
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QUESTION: Thanks for your help will my first question Bill. Here is part two.
Although, cosmetically at least, the engine looks good under the hood, we'll take into account the possibility of structural damage. What are the risks of NOT getting this fixed?
Also, what is your personal ballpark estimate for the cost of a hood (i know that is is merely your opinion, and that prices vary drastically by region), and the time it takes to minor structural damage?
I'm just a college student(a bit poor i'm afraid).I'm just leery of a situation in which I pay more to fix the car than I paid to buy it!
Thank you so much!
AnswerRachel, I can't help you with an estimate to repair it without being there to actually see the damage. If I am correct, and there is minor structural damage, the problem will be that you will never get the hood to latch shut. There can be minor damage that you need a trained eye to spot. The radiator support only needs to move back an inch, and the hood won't latch. With it being around 3-1/2 feet wide, it's difficult for a novice to see the telltale signs of a bowed in support. You might be able to talk a body shop into doing temporary repairs for a few bucks. They might be able to flatten out the hood without it looking too horrible. Best case scenario is that the hood took 100% of the impact, and will shut again after the bow is pushed out of it. The latch may also be broken, and replacing it will remedy the hood shutting problem. It's like I said Rachel- I can't be there to inspect the damage to make a proper assessment. Hey, try this- get a block of wood, and put it up under the front of the left corner of the hood. Be sure it's not on the headlamp, it will break it. Now, Lower the hood onto the block. Now, carefully try pushing on the edge of the hood, and try to push the bow out of it. Go slowly, check your progress often, and push it until it has about the same curve as the fender. Now, move to the right side, and do the same thing. To check progress, just take the block out, and see if it lines up with the fender edge. Now, put the block directly over the hood latch, and set the hood down on it. CAREFULLY try to push any remaining bow out of the hood by pushing on the face of the hood. It will take a lot of pressure to do the center, you might even have to climb up there, and use your feet. Sounds extreme, I know. Now, remove the block, and try to close the hood. With any luck, the hood will now close. If not, you didn't lose anything but 30 minutes of your day. Hey, pull the hood release on the car, be sure it wasn't accidentally latched while the hood was open. That will cause it to not shut, also. Seen it dozens of times on doors and hoods. Hope this all helps. Bill
