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david gott

Sticky situation

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Bought a 2011 Vivaro van LWB in February, really clean, crew cab, but the engine was buggered, got it to the garage I use and they recommended getting another engine, sourced an engine not too far away from a van breakers, once we got the engine back to the mechanics and fitted it just wouldn’t start up, had at least 5 other mechanics look at it and couldn’t work out what was wrong, rang the breakers he said ok bring it back we’ll see what we can do, I said I understand these things happen let’s just get it sorted, that was in March, every week I’ve been calling, every time I drive past I’m popping in, I’ve heard every excuse under the sun, they’ve said all the rockers are broke and need replacing, that was a month ago, apparently the rockers need ordering from Italy, is this utter bullshit? I ordered some from euro car parts and drove down with them. The injectors are a nightmare to get off....I know that but it doesn’t take this long! Last month I rang and told them I’m having to pay storage for the van with no engine and it needs sorting asap, I rang last Monday, he say “ yea it’ll be done for Friday.......still no engine. What can I do to get this sorted? I’ve been as co operative as I can be but he’s got my bloody engine and I’m not sure what I can do to get it back in one piece 

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I cannot believe you allowed a breaker to take an Engine apart and try to fix it, I've seen plenty of breakers yard "workshops and mechanics" and I wouldn't trust 'em with a kids scooter !!

I bought a set of those followers last week for an Insignia, arrived within a day ..................... Didn't cure it, it had also bent the Valves !!

I'd buy another Engine, (hear it running first), get the Van done and gone !!

Ask for a refund, if he doesn't play nicely, and if you are pissed off enough, then send a "collector" round to get yer money back / slap said breaker around a bit ;)

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Assuming I've read that right and your issue is with the breakers, personally I'd just write if off as they are clearly doing what cowboy breakers do and are taking you for a ride, probably have been from day one. More chance of Usain Bolt signing for Wrexham than you getting anything back of them, I can just picture their set up now.

Go to a decent breaker (there are a few around and I'm happy to suggest a few that I think could help with this although those engines do command good money) and then get the thing back on the road and then never, ever, ever even think about buying one of those ever again, and if you do, it's 10 minutes on the naughty step.

30 minutes ago, trade vet said:

What does it say on your purchase invoice.

Beware of the guard dog?

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I’m amazed you’ve left it this long! 

I’m thinking along the same lines as what TV is. 

What warranties, if any, does your invoice state? How did you pay?

Depending on the circumstances you may have some recourse with your bank/credit card company. I know as traders we look upon a chargeback as the anti christ but this is a different situation. You’re clearly being fucked about by a bunch of complete chancers. 

Speak with your bank, I imagine you have a list of correspondence dating back months that you could send them. 

1 minute ago, sparky said:

Assuming I've read that right and your issue is with the breakers, personally I'd just write if off as they are clearly doing what cowboy breakers do and are taking you for a ride, probably have been from day one. More chance of Usain Bolt signing for Wrexham than you getting anything back of them, I can just picture their set up now.

Go to a decent breaker (there are a few around and I'm happy to suggest a few that I think could help with this although those engines do command good money) and then get the thing back on the road and then never, ever, ever even think about buying one of those ever again, and if you do, it's 10 minutes on the naughty step.

Beware of the guard dog?

Amen. 

I’m in a situation where i’ve bought a recon engine off a complete charlatan and he’s had 3 goes at putting the issue to bed and he just can’t. Luckily I had my wits about me enough to pay by credit card, so i’m setting about getting my money back through MasterCard. 

I agree about visualising their set up though. Pikey mob, bits of old engines all over the gaff, floor an inch deep in 20 year old oil etc. 

I had my 10 mins on the naughty step and I won’t be going back again :) 

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39 minutes ago, EPV said:

I’m amazed you’ve left it this long! 

Haha, how apt this is.

It happens. I buried my head in the sand over a gearbox fix & now I’ve had a car at a local gearbox specialist for over 18 months. The car’s in bits so can’t be moved, about 6mths ago I formally wrote to him to advise him I intend instigating a small claim blah blah. That got him on the phone whinging, promising the earth then f. all since. 

It’s apt because I’m just sat at the computer now joing the govt portal to instigate proceedings. FFS, what a way to do business. Tbh it’s a case of out of sight, out of mind & I don’t like to put a man down but I either write-off a £2500 car or try him through the courts system.

The moral of this tale is only ‘go cheap’ if you know who your dealing with. I didn’t know him or his company but was lured in by the cheap price & am paying the price.

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31 minutes ago, BHM said:

Haha, how apt this is.

It happens. I buried my head in the sand over a gearbox fix & now I’ve had a car at a local gearbox specialist for over 18 months. The car’s in bits so can’t be moved, about 6mths ago I formally wrote to him to advise him I intend instigating a small claim blah blah. That got him on the phone whinging, promising the earth then f. all since. 

It’s apt because I’m just sat at the computer now joing the govt portal to instigate proceedings. FFS, what a way to do business. Tbh it’s a case of out of sight, out of mind & I don’t like to put a man down but I either write-off a £2500 car or try him through the courts system.

The moral of this tale is only ‘go cheap’ if you know who your dealing with. I didn’t know him or his company but was lured in by the cheap price & am paying the price.

Sadly, yes I’ve done exactly same, out of sight out of mind, it seemed a decent outfit at first, he said all the right things and I was fairly confident it was going to get sorted, that’s why I didn’t get pissed off but now it’s getting on my tits, I paid via bank transfer, so not sure what chance I’ve got of getting the money back

1 hour ago, sparky said:

Assuming I've read that right and your issue is with the breakers, personally I'd just write if off as they are clearly doing what cowboy breakers do and are taking you for a ride, probably have been from day one. More chance of Usain Bolt signing for Wrexham than you getting anything back of them, I can just picture their set up now.

Go to a decent breaker (there are a few around and I'm happy to suggest a few that I think could help with this although those engines do command good money) and then get the thing back on the road and then never, ever, ever even think about buying one of those ever again, and if you do, it's 10 minutes on the naughty step.

Beware of the guard dog?

Thanks sparky think your right on this one, just get it back in the road and out of my life 

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they either knew the breaker engine was no good or they didnt

you bought business to business a product you was told was fit for purpose

see if they are limited and go lba

get an engine somewhere else

 

and please guys stop buying recurring vw threads with shit mechanicals it will put you in an early grave

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4 hours ago, boring dave said:

and please guys stop buying recurring vw threads with shit mechanicals it will put you in an early grave

4 hours ago, boring dave said:

 

Nowt wrong with VW :) as long as you where the spanners are kept :)

Audi , Skoda and SEAT too :)

Now wheres the tool box ?

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6 hours ago, Dave2302 said:

I bought a set of those followers last week for an Insignia, arrived within a day ..................... Didn't cure it, it had also bent the Valves !!

This will be a different engine i think, this one is the M9R timing chain engine with the injectors that weld themselves in solid.

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7 hours ago, david gott said:

Bought a 2011 Vivaro van LWB in February, really clean, crew cab, but the engine was buggered, got it to the garage I use and they recommended getting another engine, sourced an engine not too far away from a van breakers, once we got the engine back to the mechanics and fitted it just wouldn’t start up, had at least 5 other mechanics look at it and couldn’t work out what was wrong, rang the breakers he said ok bring it back we’ll see what we can do, I said I understand these things happen let’s just get it sorted, that was in March, every week I’ve been calling, every time I drive past I’m popping in, I’ve heard every excuse under the sun, they’ve said all the rockers are broke and need replacing, that was a month ago, apparently the rockers need ordering from Italy, is this utter bullshit? I ordered some from euro car parts and drove down with them. The injectors are a nightmare to get off....I know that but it doesn’t take this long! Last month I rang and told them I’m having to pay storage for the van with no engine and it needs sorting asap, I rang last Monday, he say “ yea it’ll be done for Friday.......still no engine. What can I do to get this sorted? I’ve been as co operative as I can be but he’s got my bloody engine and I’m not sure what I can do to get it back in one piece 

How much are you in for the engine ? As annoying as it is you may just have to walk away from it and either source engine from somewhere else or just sell the van on as is as a project for someone else to deal with ?

Just tell the breakers in writing if its not sorted by end of month you want a full refund or legal action will be taken....i dont fancy your chances though so may have to just take it on the chin and move on....lot depends on what your in for money wise ?

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49 minutes ago, Stalker said:

This will be a different engine i think, this one is the M9R timing chain engine with the injectors that weld themselves in solid.

Aha, yep, my bad, the Insignia was indeed the belt engine, that's how it all started lol, Inverness garage put a belt on it, 2000 miles later crunch, no start !!

Garage basically told the guy to fuck off :( Then I got it, Heads away getting rebuilt right now ;)

I know the engine you mean, had 19 tonnes on one of those injectors once before it started creeping up, a guy i know who travels and does them says he has had to machine them out sometimes, real brutal like :(

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8 hours ago, david gott said:

Bought a 2011 Vivaro van LWB in February, really clean, crew cab, but the engine was buggered, got it to the garage I use and they recommended getting another engine, sourced an engine not too far away from a van breakers, once we got the engine back to the mechanics and fitted it just wouldn’t start up, had at least 5 other mechanics look at it and couldn’t work out what was wrong, rang the breakers he said ok bring it back we’ll see what we can do, I said I understand these things happen let’s just get it sorted, that was in March, every week I’ve been calling, every time I drive past I’m popping in, I’ve heard every excuse under the sun, they’ve said all the rockers are broke and need replacing, that was a month ago, apparently the rockers need ordering from Italy, is this utter bullshit? I ordered some from euro car parts and drove down with them. The injectors are a nightmare to get off....I know that but it doesn’t take this long! Last month I rang and told them I’m having to pay storage for the van with no engine and it needs sorting asap, I rang last Monday, he say “ yea it’ll be done for Friday.......still no engine. What can I do to get this sorted? I’ve been as co operative as I can be but he’s got my bloody engine and I’m not sure what I can do to get it back in one piece 

Hi David

 

Not really a very helpful reply, if you cant fix it yourself, don't bother with the non runners.

We buy the odd one, unless you nick them it aint worth the while.

Especially when it comes to major engine work, nobody wants this work anymore as it takes far longer than anyone wishes to pay for to do the job properly.

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... am I the only one who'd go and have it out with them in person? 

Go and get your money back and fuck their excuses right off. I think you're being seen as too nice. They have your money and your goods. Not okay in my book.

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1 hour ago, Mojo121 said:

... am I the only one who'd go and have it out with them in person? 

Go and get your money back and fuck their excuses right off. I think you're being seen as too nice. They have your money and your goods. Not okay in my book.

Your absolutely right, time to get it sorted this week! 

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4 hours ago, Mojo121 said:

... am I the only one who'd go and have it out with them in person? 

Go and get your money back and fuck their excuses right off. I think you're being seen as too nice. They have your money and your goods. Not okay in my book.

Very likely to be a bunch of pikey types. I ain't no fighter.

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If you don't mind me being blunt, how much did you pay for said pile of crap Engine ??

To me, depending how much money was involved depends upon how much effort / aggro I'd be prepared to put into recovering the dosh...................

Yep, they are obviously a Cowboy outfit, any decent company would, by now, have just said, "OK mate, the Engine was dud, we don't have a good one, here's a refund" !!

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On 17/10/2018 at 7:26 AM, Dave2302 said:

If you don't mind me being blunt, how much did you pay for said pile of crap Engine ??

To me, depending how much money was involved depends upon how much effort / aggro I'd be prepared to put into recovering the dosh...................

Yep, they are obviously a Cowboy outfit, any decent company would, by now, have just said, "OK mate, the Engine was dud, we don't have a good one, here's a refund" !!

I paid £1600 so not the most expensive, not the cheapest but I've already had the thing fitted and took out, it owes me about £4000 at the mo, was on the phone yesterday to them they said they'd ring back today with an update, suprise suprise not heard from them.

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OK, so sounds like the labour cost is very high, but that is really your problem not the Breakers.

Their problem is they have £1600 and have not supplied you an Engine that is fit for purpose.

Your problem is they are a Cowboy Outfit, probably Pikey types, and they are gonna fuck you around until the 12th of never ....................

20 years ago you could have hired a couple of loonies from the local pub to go and get your money back, and do unspeakable things, these days most of the "good" ones are either retired or banged up :( 

£1600 is a sort of borderline figure, probably not worth trying to recover 100% legally, but also why should leggitt and scarper get away with your hard earned !!

Do you know any "Good ole Boyz" who might be able to recover the money for you, (please don't actually answer that on here ;) ) !!

Perhaps said "Good ole Boyz" might accidentally worry them a little bit, until the cough up, for a percentage of recovered basis  ;)

That's what I would do if in your shoes, find a "Debt Collector", but not one from Yellow Pages / Google tho ;)

Well actually that isn't what I'd do, I'd be round there myself, on the odd occasion in the past I have been known to be very persuasive, without actually causing any major damage :Dbut that is a skill I learned through growing up in SE Lundun :ph34r:

I do know that that isn't everyones cup of tea ;) 

Sadly it has to be said though, that sometimes it is the only method that works with these Cowboy outfits :rolleyes: 

At the end of the day, it is your money / your choice ;)

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