Begin forwarded message:

> From: zampano <matthias.k@attbi.com>
> Date: Thu Jan 16, 2003  8:56:52 am US/Pacific
> To: fortinoj@speakeasy.net
> Subject: Re: Fast German will fix the broken rebuild
>
> The coolant I used was Prestone  phosphate free, Dexcool approved.
> 50-70% concentration, according to Pep Boys tester.
>
> The heads were AMC and looked like somebody took a whiz on them and
> then buried them in the backyard for couple of months. A lot of
> corrosion.
>
> On its last day of running, it still had really good power. I then
> parked it and two days later it wouldn't start. Turned out to be a
> compression problem to the tune of 0 psi on all cylinders. I never got
> a real answer from the tech why there was 0 compression. "It
> overheated" he said. I have had blown head gaskets before, but there
> was always some compression left, at least in some cylinders. To me it
> would sound like a case of bent valves, which I think is nearly
> impossible on a direct driven cam and pushrods type engine like the
> WBX, or burned out piston rings, to the tune of completely burned out,
> "Kolbenfresser" as they say in german.
>
> Cheers
>
>
> Matt
>
>
> On Thursday, January 16, 2003, at 05:52 am, fortinoj@speakeasy.net
> wrote:
>
>> 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
>>
>