Date: Sat, 20 Jan 2007 11:44:21 -0600
Reply-To: Ron Mueller <wasserbox@MSN.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Ron Mueller <wasserbox@MSN.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
After a long, difficult decision, and even after reading many messages of
praise, I chose to spend a few more dollar's for my remanufactured 2.1.
I purchased mine direct from VW parts.
Why?
Just for the very reason this conversation is on the list.
I feared possible engine failure, I feared warrantee coverage by a small
rebuilder on the opposite side of the country with no possibility to have
the problem resolved by the concern who sold me the rebuilt engine.
I felt for this reason, a VW rebuilt engine was well worth the price
difference, if for nothing else piece of mind, knowing wherever I may be if
I had troubles a VW dealer wouldn't be too far away.
I've read older posts regarding BB's engine remans.
They all are not perfect, and sometimes it seems he has a preponderence of
side stepping his responsablities.
I've read several main seal leaking problems in prior messages in the
archives.
Nobodies perfect.
Understood.
I just would have liked it better (if I was Dan) to have the rebuilder
closer at hand when something went wrong.
E-Mails and phone calls don't cure engine problems while on the road.
I feel his frustrations.
Ron
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dave Vickery" <davevickery@HOTMAIL.COM<mailto:davevickery@HOTMAIL.COM<about:blank>>>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM<mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM<about:blank>>>
Sent: Monday, January 15, 2007 8:13 PM
Subject: Re: Boston Bob engines - Use caution
> The thing to be cautious of is buying an engine long distance. Any
> warranty
> is useless when the work is done by a local mechanic and the engine
> purchased and shipped. The costs to invoke the warrantee make it
> impractical.
>
> I say find the best local rebuilder that will install the engine and will
> stand behind their work no matter what happens. Or buy a cheap used
> engine
> and take your chances.
>
>
>
> >From: Bob Donalds <donalds1@VERIZON.NET<mailto:donalds1@VERIZON.NET<about:blank>>>
> >Reply-To: Bob Donalds <donalds1@VERIZON.NET<mailto:donalds1@VERIZON.NET<about:blank>>>
> >To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM<mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM<about:blank>>
> >Subject: Re: Boston Bob engines - Use caution
> >Date: Mon, 15 Jan 2007 19:53:50 -0500
> >
> >I did get your email and was going over it and preparing a responce when
> >you posted this to the list
> >you never mentioned the head gasket blowing just that the
> >you felt I owed you 2K for cranks seal replacement
> >and that you thought I had glued the seals in that I improperly installed
> >them see your email below
> >I have done hundreds of engines and never have I glued a crank seals in
> >place the engine was not rebuilt with substantial error
> >I am sorry for your trouble but as I told you I feel you have ring damage
> >and that the engine was not set up right or it was driven to hard to soon
> >
> >to summerize
> >
> >you blew the heads off this engine and I am responceable for you driving
> >it
> >after the idiot lights came on
> >
> >you had a minor drain plug leak and a flywheel that weeped after you got
> >off the highway
> >due to piston ring damage
> >
> >I made no errors assembling this engine and I do silicone the head
> >gaskets
> >in place
> >
> >Bob Donalds
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Bob:
> > I am considering describing my experiences with you and your rebuilt
> >engine on the Vanagon List. Before I do that, I offer you this last
> >opportunity to take responsibility for your error in the building of my
> >engine. To date, the error of placing glue on the wrong sides of both
> >main
> >seals has cost me over $2,000.
> >
> > Do you have any response whatsoever?
> >
> > Will you take responsibility for your error?
> >
> > Will you compensate me for my costs related to your error?
> >
> > Do you deny responsibility for the main seals error?
> >
> > Do you deny that you built the engine in my van?
> >
> > Dan
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: DanielCRoberts@aol.com<mailto:DanielCRoberts@aol.com<about:blank>>
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM<mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM<about:blank>>
> > Cc: donalds1@verizon.net<mailto:donalds1@verizon.net<about:blank>>
> > Sent: Monday, January 15, 2007 5:19 PM
> > Subject: Boston Bob engines - Use caution
> >
> >
> > I relied on recommendations from this List and chose Boston Bob when I
> >needed a rebuilt engine. Unfortunately, the results were disappointing.
> >
> > The Boston Bob rebuilt engine was installed in my 89 Camper GL (2.1
> >Liter) last spring. Almost from the beginning I noticed oil leakage from
> >the oil drain plug and from the front and rear of the engine. The leakage
> >was disappointing but at least did not seem to be severe when I left for
> >an
> >extended trip to southeastern US.
> >
> > Prior to the trip, I talked with Bob McDonalds (Boston Bob) and he
> >assured me the leaks would probably dissipate over time as internal
> >engine
> >pressure lessened with engine wear. However, when I returned from my
> >trip,
> >my own mechanic examined my engine and showed me that both front and rear
> >main seals had substantial leaks, as did the oil plug.
> >
> > I contacted Bob McDonalds again. He again suggested the problem might
> > be
> >with internal pressure related either to tight piston rings or to a
> >collapsed engine gases recirculation tube (his speculation). He
> >eventually
> >sent a new rubber tube although my mechanic had assured him and me that
> >the
> >existing tube was OK. I installed the new tube anyway. He also sent
> >several
> >different oil drain plugs and several different oil drain plug rings.
> >
> > None of the drain plugs or drain plug rings stopped the oil leakage
> > from
> >the oil drain plug. The oil drain plug still leaked, as did the front and
> >rear main seals.
> >
> > I sent an email to Bob asking him to provide some compensation for the
> >oil leaks and their effect on the value of my Vanagon. He did not respond
> >to my email.
> >
> > Next, while traveling in Colorado, the engine overheated when the
> >alternator froze, breaking the belt that also supplies the water pump. I
> >pulled off the road and turned off the engine as soon as the coolant
> >trouble light came on. (However, the alternator trouble light had come on
> >about one minute earlier and I did not pull over and stop as soon as that
> >light came on.)
> >
> > I examined the engine and saw what appeared to be a blown front main
> >seal. A subsequent examination of the engine by a 30-year Vanagon
> >mechanic
> >in Colorado confirmed my suspicion. Of course some would argue the fault
> >was mine for not immediately turning off the engine when the alternator
> >light came on. However, a subsequent investigation by the Colorado
> >mechanic
> >revealed that both front and rear main seals (head gaskets) had been
> >improperly installed.
> >
> > Both front and rear main gaskets had a large amount of glue over the
> >entire inside grooves--facing the engine. As a result, when the glue had
> >dried, gaps were created, thereby allowing oil to push through the gaps.
> >The Colorado mechanic said that the gasket failure was inevitable, given
> >the way the gaskets were installed.
> >
> > Boston Bob has refused to respond to my subsequent emails in which I
> >asked him to take responsibility for the leaking oil and subsequent blown
> >gasket.
> >
> > Replacing the improperly installed seals cost me about $1,500. Of
> > course
> >this does not include the motel bills when I was stranded in Colorado for
> >12 days. Fortunately, I can say the front and rear seals no longer leak
> >after being properly installed. The oil plug still leaks.
> >
> > This situation has been disheartening, as well as costly. I had been
> >pleased to obtain a Boston Bob engine. I thought I was dealing with a
> >reputable mechanic. Unfortunately, Boston Bob has refused to stand behind
> >his product even though I can document and prove the engine was rebuilt
> >with a substantial error.
> >
> > Because of the error and because of Boston Bob's refusal to be
> >responsible for the error, I suggest other List members use caution when
> >considering whether to purchase a rebuilt engine from Boston Bob.
> >
> > Dan Roberts
> >
> > CC: Bob McDonalds
>
> _________________________________________________________________
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>
Ron |