Engine rebuild problems - advice needed

[AHM]

Paul,

100% to everything that Leslie wrote.

You have been back twice for substandard work, and now have further complaint - They have two sensible options.
a. offer to come and collect your engine and have it rebuilt by their best person at their expense.
or
b. offer you a complete refund + something for your inconvenience

If they have any kind of reputation they would be mad to let it get to court. Think of the damage to their reputation. Even without a court case they would be associated with a cracked block and a leaky waterpump.

Give them the opportunity to sort it out to your satisfaction - Then Sue! I think you can file the papers online now.

[john.p.clegg]

"Twice bitten-Thrice shy"...would you want your engine re-built by the same firm that made a cock-up of it?

Living in this "modern age" do you really think they "Give a toss"

John

[PaulFinch]

John, there's no way I'm letting them touch it again.

I've organised to have the engine stripped and inspected by a third party and will be delivering it at the weekend. He will then write a report which should hopefully strengthen my position.

The original builder has acknowledged receipt of my letter of complaint and is apparently going to 'respond in detail in due course'.

I can't wait.....

[TeeJay]

Paul.

I was about to forward a Lotus block to a well known and respected Midlands workshop to be Lined and fitted with new pistons.

Reading your grave issues you will understand my concerns.

I have sent you a PM, would be most grateful for a reply.
Thanks.

[Esprit2]

Speaking of sharing your experience, I do believe (at least in principal... I don't know your local laws) you should name the shop before this is all over. Not until you have exhausted other options, since ticking him off more won't help your efforts to get him to stand behind his work. But when all else fails, you could start "Paul's List".

I think you missed out a word NOT in there.

Read on. The next sentence (you even include it in your quote) starts with "NOT until you have exhausted other options"...

Tim

[TeeJay]

Paul thanks for your prompt reply to my PM.

Very relieved it was not the Engine workshop I selected in the Midlands.
As I am based in the Midlands please contact me if there is anything I can assist with.

Regards

[AHM]

"Twice bitten-Thrice shy"...would you want your engine re-built by the same firm that made a cock-up of it?

Who would? That definitely wouldn't be to my satisfaction. Just being objective.

Thrice bitten - they have already had three goes at it!

Living in this "modern age" do you really think they "Give a toss"

Yes I do - Especially if they enjoy rebuilding Twincam engines.

[billwill]

Speaking of sharing your experience, I do believe (at least in principal... I don't know your local laws) you should name the shop before this is all over. Not until you have exhausted other options, since ticking him off more won't help your efforts to get him to stand behind his work. But when all else fails, you could start "Paul's List".

I think you missed out a word NOT in there.

Read on. The next sentence (you even include it in your quote) starts with "NOT until you have exhausted other options"...

Tim

Sorry, mate but what you intended to say comes over much better if the sentence reads:
"you should not name the shop before this is all over comma not until you have exhausted other options ..."
as it stands it confuses the reader because in two sentences it casts opposing actions.




---- Sorry to be picky, it comes from writing many thousands of words of technical information such as computer program usage instructions... One wrong word and you can get deluged with help queries ----

[Johnfm]

Leslie's advice is fairly sound. It is no point at all involving solicitors for a claim of this value - it will cost more than a new engine in legal fees just to get it it to a court and would take quite some time.

As he says, small claims is a good route for a well organised, litigant in person.

The report from a third party is key to show that the standard of service was below that expected of a professional engine builder.


Good luck.

[RichardHawkins]

Paul,

I had difficulties with an engine machine shop, who eventually reimbursed me for their errors. The third party I used was Serdi UK in Uxbridge who were very helpful. I think the advice from Leslie is good, I would send all correspondence by recorded delivery, it tends to concentrate the recipients mind.

Their are automotive consulting engineers, not cheap, but worth considering.

When I was working I used Royal and Sun Alliance Engineering in Manchester. Automotive work may not be part of their expertise, as I worked in the Chemical Industry I never needed to know.

I agree with Leslie people should be held responsible for their bad work as well as their good. No reputable company wants to damage their hard earned reputation.

Richard Hawkins

[peterexpart]

I tend to agree with John "If" they gave a toss they would already have been in touch offering to correct the errors, it would have not got this far !!
And as to companies being worried about their reputations you should try dealing with the hundreds of engineering companies I deal with every day of the week trying to get the correct parts and accurate deliveries on Airport Ground Support equipment, I truly believe that there is not a company in the world that gives a toss, big or small.

[512BB]

Just seen a trailer for a programme on BBC1 to help people persue claims through the County Court. Starts at 9.15 am all this week. Definately worth watching............sitting here in my dressing gown!

Funny...........they never asked my advise's, silly peeps.

Leslie

[john.p.clegg]

My recorder is set for the series...

John

[PaulFinch]

Just a quick update on this.

Delivered the engine to the third party engineer on Saturday. Had a phone call on Sunday morning saying he?d stripped it and I might want to come and have a look. He said it was ?apalling?.
Everywhere you look there is something that has been bodged.

He reckons it wasn?t even chemically cleaned as the water jackets are full of rust and crud.
One of the liners has already started to move.
Where the liners have been relieved to give space for the con rod it honestly looks like they used a hacksaw. No attempt has been made to blend these in and in one instance a sharp edge has been left so as to score the piston.
The chain drive on the crank is rusted and worn, and the ?new? cam chain is already worn.
The big end bolts are original and the threads are covered in crud.
The flywheel bolts are the same.
The jack shaft is severely worn.

On to the top end, a 360 lift sprint cam had been fitted to the inlet and a 420 cam to the exhaust, despite my original bill of sale quoting the fitment of the 420 cams that I had asked for. Even if you were going to do this why would you put the smaller lift cam on the inlet?!
There is a hairline crack on no.1 inlet manifold starting at the brass vacuum take off union. Apparently the one that was fitted was the wrong size and was far too tight.
No spring seats were fitted to the exhaust side meaning the valve springs were starting to eat into the head.
The shims that were fitted were severely worn, two of them show obvious signs of grinding and are no longer flat.
The guides were not originally removed and so the ?porting? that was completed simply missed this area out. There are ridges from the original casting that can still be felt.
Two or three of the valve seats are standing proud from the head, the mess this would have made if they?d dropped out doesn?t bear thinking about.

The list goes on but suffice to say it has been well and truly monstered. I am very pleased I decided to investigate the noise last weekend as this whole engine is just a disaster.

The cost to put this lot right properly is going to be eye-watering. It?s a full rebuild from scratch, putting right everything from the original build and quite a bit on top. I was amazed how calmly my wife reacted when informed we wouldn?t be going on holiday next year after all!

I will now be presenting the original builder with a report on the engine?s current condition and a demand for a full refund. We shall see where we go from there.

You live and learn.

Paul

[john.p.clegg]

Paul

Would you like to swap wives?

John

P.S. When you do name and shame them I hope you do it in Upper Case...