I sympathize with you on your situation. You're not due any compensation for delays due to mechanical, but I guess it doesn't hurt to write in anyway and see if they offer anything.

I have a trip in a few months that I have been planning on for months. Unfortunately, I have to make one connection before I get to SFO for my international segment. I've scheduled my booking so that I would have 5 hours time to make that connection. If there is going to be lengthy delays like yours, I would be peeved. (And once I'm over being peeved, I may be resigned that it just wasn't meant to be)

But I can certainly understand how frustrating it probably was for you.