I still kinda don't know what type of coolent you put in?
and were the heads AMC? compression will be bad if the
seal is weak I feel. but if a head gasket goes you have to
re-open the lower half. * water jacket near the head will
build up all kinds of crap allow the acid demons to take over.

Joe

On 15 Jan 2003, zampano wrote:

> (this was the subject line: rebuilder blames
> coolant for failure under warranty or subject
> line: Fast German Auto etc)
>
> Hello everybody,
>
> I just got back from Santa Ana, spending a
> good 4 1/2 hours on driving down there in
> traffic and in arguing.
>
> It was dreadful. I got there and asked about
> what they decided to do about my '84 WBX
> Wolfy. We agreed last week that they were
> going to call me that same day (Wed last week,
> and they never called). The sales rep (or
> service writer or whatnot) said that he would
> just be a minute, and then disappeared and
> reappeared intermittently, and after about one
> hour of me standing around and talking to
> their master tech, chit chatting about
> Vanagons etc., (he's actually a nice guy,
> don't think he means any harm, but not very
> knowledgable about V-gons compared to us
> geeks. I know he has been there at least since
> last April.)
>
> After that long wait the sales rep (who told
> me he was part owner of the company, which is
> a corporation, after I asked him twice) came
> back out and presented me with an estimate:
> $1598.00. Disappears again, appearing at
> intervals talking on the phone or otherwise
> looking busy. I keep on chatting with the
> tech, not giving any clue of being infuriated.
>
> After another long time (30-45 min) he
> reappears and says: So I guess we'll get
> started on your van right away, then. I
> asked to talk to him in private, in his
> office. He wouldn't respond. I asked him
> again, and then again. (the tech was still
> present, and I didn't want to accuse anybody
> of being a liar to their face, always ends
> nasty). The sales rep answered that there
> was nothing to talk about.
>
> I stayed calm, told him that it was nothing
> personal, but that this was unacceptable to
> me. They give out a warranty with their
> engines, and have to honor it, I told him. A
> dragging argument ensued, for almost half
> hour, at least. With the master tech and him
> telling me that the wrong coolant was used and
> therefore no warranty. In their warranty
> requirements it doesn't say anything about
> specifically using VW coolant only, I told
> him. He answered that it was recommended by VW
> in the owner's manual. I told him that I heard
> from people on the list who had their engines
> rebuilt and installed at their place and they
> had green coolant in it, that they (FGA) put
> in. They both called it a bunch of lies.
> Blabla, the argument went on. I finally said
> that I was willing to pay $1000 to get it done
> if they give me another 12mo/12000mi warranty.
> Mind you I installed the engine myself, then,
> and hence the installation was not covered
> under warranty <-big smile here. Makes sense
> from their point of view, I guess.
>
> They refused, they said they were already
> giving me a break and that $1000 was out of
> the question. On it went another while until I
> finally told him I was going to take him to
> small claims court, I told him that I knew of
> other people who were dissatisfied with their
> work(listmembers). He said he didn't care and
> that for every 2 customers he gets 1
> complaining. Looks like he confused the
> numbers a bit.
>
> So I left. The whole time everybody stayed
> calm, but it was nasty anyway.
>
> On my way up he calls me 1 hour later and
> tells me he could do it for $1100,
> sounding pissed off. Including another
> warranty. Ok I said.
>
> The nerve!!! I just figured I'd get it
> resolved, rather than wasting energy going to
> court, which always is a loooot of energy,
> believe me.
>
> So I guess we found a solution, but what it
> all took!!
>
> They also showed me the water pump, and it was
> also completely corroded. The heads were as
> well insanely corroded.
>
> Maybe it isn't their fault, maybe it is the
> WBX design. Everybody can and should be
> allowed to make mistakes. But that corrosion
> looked like nothing I have ever seen, and I
> replaced the water pump twice before the
> rebuild. But why would I get 0 compression??
> There's still a big mystery factor involved,
> which makes me dream of Toyotas. The tech also
> showed me the sealant they always used: The
> stuff that comes with the kit. I think I read
> somewhere that was a no no.
>
> Anyhow, thanks so much to all you who gave me
> input, it gave me a lot of courage and the
> willpower to persist and argue. Seems like you
> really have to put up a stink and waste some
> serious time. I'll find out if it was worth
> it, should be getting her back in about 1
> week's time.
>
> Happy Trails
>
> Matt