Strictly playing devil's advocate here--i.e., I'm not siding with the dealer; the dealer could/might try to argue that it was the engine that failed, not the coolant; also, the engine failed due to an issue with debris rather than an issue with coolant/coolant system. If you sorta think about it--if you were to buy and install a new/rebuilt engine yourself, would you expect there to be coolant already included with the engine?That's what I said. I said when you put the new engine in are you not putting new coolant in it? And the Kia Service Writer said I would be responsible for paying that. I also asked about the Crankcase service since they are putting a new engine. Not sure why they would be servicing the Crankcase?
I then took the estimate to my mechanic and he said to deny all of it. That he could do these services if need be. But the Kia Service Writer would not budge. And basically said these were mandatory. Which was the crankcase service, coolant fluid exchange, fuel system decarb and transmission fluid exchange. Total will be almost $1000 with taxes. Should I go back up there and fight it?
OTOH you can counter by noting that if one were to follow the "owner has to pay for the coolant" logic, then why didn't the dealer charge the owner for the new oil that needs to be put into the engine since they're already charging him for the coolant?
For the transmission fluid exchange--depending on when was the last time it was done (if at all), perhaps it needed to be done sooner or later so might as well get it done anyways; ditto for the brake fluid exchange as well.