Car: 1990 Volkswagen Cabriolet.
Needed: new engine.
Background:
In July the original engine (78,000 mi) was water damaged in a flooded intersection.
All electronic components were replaced (computer {brand new from VW}, alternator, sensors, distributor / rotor, coil, etc). Fuel injectors were flow checked and found to be ok. Fuel pump was ok. The original radiator (had broken fins) and Exhaust Manifold (cracked when water hit it) were replaced.
I decided to replace the original 1.8 Liter engine with a 2.0 Liter high performance 8-valve engine from GEX. I was told the engine would be compatible with the stock fuel injection set-up. I was also told the engine was on the shelf already and would be shipped out the next day. I made sure to give them the part number of the OEM cylinder head.
I called the following day and was told that the engine in stock had the incorrect cylinder head and that the correct head was being installed. I was told that delivery should occur by the end of the week.
Two weeks later, I called back to see what was up. They told me they would look into it. I called back two days later - they had not looked in to the situation. They called me back about an hour later and told me that the engine technicians had installed a 16-valve head instead of the proper 8-valve head.
About a week later they told me that the 8-valve head they had replaced the 16-valve head with had leaked in the operatioanal test of the engine. To make a long story short, it ended up taking more than 6 weeks for the shipment of an engine that was supposedley on the shelf and ready to go.
After the engine was installed, it lasted four thousand miles. The oil was changed at 750 miles miles, and 3500 miles (Mobil 10w-30, Fram and Purolator standard filters). It was NEVER run above 4000 rpm. Oil consumption went up steadily to two quarts per week. Highway fuel mileage fell from 34 to 28 MPG. The engine was always run on Mobil 93 octane fuel (per GEX instructions - higher compression ratio).
Since I am a certified aircraft mechanic, I have access to a flexible boroscope. I noticed oil dripping from one of the the #4 cylinder valve guides. This was confirmed by the garage that had installed the engine for me (I am a renter - I don't have a garage to work in). I had the engine pulled and returned to GEX. GEX stated that they would pay for all shipping.
I heard nothing from GEX for more than 3 weeks. I called them only to find out that my engine had been sitting ignored in their loading dock for two weeks. I called them a week later only to be told that they would not be honoring the warranty. They claimed that the engine had been OVERHEATED! As I stated before, this engine had yet to see any rpm's above 4000. Furthermore, the car has a BRAND NEW RADIATOR and FUEL INJECTION COMPUTER! To add insult to injury, all driving on the engine had been accomplished in cool, New England fall weather!
I was told that if I wanted the engine the engine back, I would have to pay the cost of the repairs: THEY HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE WITHOUT CONSULTING ME! Furthermore - I was informed that I would have to pay an extra $250 shipping to get it back. They claimed the mechanic who had filled out the bill of lading at the garage had recorded too high a weight on the bill and that the shipping costs to them had been too high (BOO-HOO!). I told them I had no intention of giving them another penny.
Results:
WHAT I GOT:
-A Rust-free, excellent condition 1990 VW Cabriolet Boutique
that is now practically worthles since it doesn't have an engine.
-An empty bank account.
WHAT THEY GOT:
-About $2700 worth of my money (they also sold me a clutch that didn't fit).
-My original 1.8 Liter engine; which they will probabley shabbily rebuild and sell to some other sucker.
-There lovely little piece of trash 2.0 Liter that they have probabley already sold to yet another sucker.
Okay - I'm done now. I hope you all learned something from my BIG mistakes.
Joe
Groton, Massachusetts
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