ComplaintsforZito's Marine and Autocare

• Initial Complaint

  03/03/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  ********* ******* ********** *** *********** In June 2020 I took the boat to Zito for engine replacement. They didnt look at it til Jan 21. The new motor got there in March of 21. I had a 2 year warranty from Jasper but the motor sat there for over a year before they put it in. I deserve that warranty time back. They put a new distirbutor in it and charged me 3 hours of labor because they padded the bill because they had to replace the flywheel and eat it because they put the wrong one in to begin with. So I finally get the boat back in August of 2022. 2 weeks later I discovered that the engine was leaking oil. I took the boat back to them in October of 2022. They said if its the oil pan thats leaking then I'd have to pay the labor cost. It was my oil pan from the other engine. I disagree with this. They saw the oil pan as a working product when their hands installed it. But being as annoyed with the situation as I was I went and picked the boat up and said the hell with it. But then in January of 23 I took it back as I had changed my mind. I texted them and call 3 times to communicate but never herd back from them so I went up there. **** came out and angrily said he wanted my boat and me out of there. I said this is a warranty issue. By the end of the conversation we had agreed for me to leave the boat there and they would look at it in the next few days to see if they could see where the oil was leaking from. I went on a trip and returned 10 days later and the boat hadnt been touched. I tried texting them and communicating 3 or 4 times only to be ignored. I told them I would be filing a complaint with the Ohio Attorney General and BBB. I still never got a response. I dont want the boat sitting outside all winter. I believe their approach was to ignore me and hopefully Id come and pick the boat up and the situation would go away for them. Well I did pick it back up but Im not forgetting about it. I told them Id bring the boat back any time if they are willing to honor their warranty service. Ive never herd back from them. I have texts and paperwork regarding this situation. Please call me at ********** **** *******

  

  Business response

  03/20/2023

  Timeline:
  
  06/30/2020:  Client asked Zito’s to inspect or replace the boat engine.
  
  01/04/2021: Inspected 1979 Chevy 454 engine, by doing compression test, which failed.  Removed engine dismantled and informed the client his engine had significant damage to crank, connecting rod bearings, main bearings and cylinder heads due to water infiltration. 
  
  01/08/2021: Zito’s recommended their engine machinist rebuild the engine.  Informed client there was a three or four month wait for the rebuilt engine and client did not want to wait that long. 
  
  01/11/2021 to
  02/05/2021:  Began looking for another long block 454 engine.  Due to COVID the supply chain engine availability was limited and the only company providing rebuilt 454 engines was Jasper Engines and Transmissions.
  
  03/27/2021:  Client paid for the Jasper long block engine with (2-year parts and labor warranty).
  
  04/02/2021:  Zito’s placed order for the Jasper engine with (2-year parts and labor warranty). Expiration   04/05/2023. 
  
  04/05/2021:  Jasper engine arrived.
  
  06/07/2021:  Began working on client boat after completing other client projects in the work schedule first and getting over COVID.  Spent days trying to find another oil pan to replace the original oil pan due to a significant amount of metal shavings from old engine trapped behind the splash chambers.  None were available and ended up sending the original oil pan out to be cleaned.  Engine did not run properly due to boat wiring and carburetor problems.  These all had to be investigated and repaired.
  
  07/04/2021:  Client ran his wave runner at a high rate of speed towards a family members boat on Berlin Lake and then asked when his boat was going to be done.
  
  08/09/2021:  Completed the clients long block engine conversion, started engine, adjusted timing, pulled to lake for water test.  The engine ran, but was lacking acceleration.  We attributed to a waterlogged boat, as the client’s tarp had failed for what appeared to be years.  Seats were so heavy, they had to lifted with our front loader and straps.  Verbally recommended the client replace the tarp to eliminate water infiltration into the boat, engine compartment and electrical components.  Also, thought the jet drive bearing could be seizing when the drive got hot.
  
  08/14/2021:  Client signed repair invoice for rebuilt Jasper 454 short block engine with a two- year warranty.  Warranty information was provided.
  
  10/22/2021:  Client brought boat back and informed Zito’s the engine had a bad vibration and would not accelerate properly.
  
  10/30/2021:  Zito’s winterized the engine and did not have a chance to touch the engine due to end of year winterizations and other boats in the work queue until April or May of 2022.  During that time the client also added to the scope, as he wanted Zito’s to remove the jet drive.  The engine was removed at no charge under warranty.   Jet drive was removed and sent out for repair and upgrades.
  
  
  06/10/2021:  Jet drive with additional Jet-O-Vator upgrade was installed.  Engine flywheel was replaced with the correct flywheel.  Flywheel originally installed was recommended by Summit Racing and unfortunately, the flywheel was not correct and caused a vibration at higher engine RPMs.   Rockers and rocker nuts were replaced due to failure under warranty at no charge.  A new distributor was installed for fee, as the old distributor seized due to water infiltration caused by the failed tarp.  Again, Zito’s recommended the tarp be repaired/replaced for this reason.  Zito’s also replaced the key switch, which was causing the engine starter to crank even when the key was released while starting.  Client wanted Zito’s to leave it as is and he would wiggle the key with the hope it would stop cranking.  Zito’s refused, this request and replaced the key switch to eliminate a potential starter failure or fire.  The oil pressure gauge failed due to water damage and was replaced at no charge. 
  
  
  07/21/2022:  Boat with all upgrades and repairs was completed.  Zito’s water tested and confirmed all upgrades, and the engine were operating properly.
  
  07/22/2022:  Client did not believe the engine was running at the correct RPM’s and wanted to go on another water test.
  
  07/29/2022:  Went with client for another water test.  Engine achieved 40 MPH @3,900 RPM’s, 8 degrees advance at idle and 20 degrees @3,500 RPM’s.  Client wanted Zito’s to advance timing to 32 degrees.  Timing was advanced with reservation and explanation to client regarding his request.  This is especially bad for a brand-new engine, can cause over detonation, hard starting along with engine or starter failure.   Client signed the invoice explaining warranty start and end time.
  
  10/2022:        Client brought the boat back for an oil leak.  Zito’s inspected the engine for oil leaks and did not see any oil leaking from engine front or rear main seals, oil filter extension, valve covers or heads.  The engine is so close to the hull, it is impossible to see if the oil pan is leaking around the seal or potentially has a hole from contact with the hull.  We explained this issue with the client on 06/07/2021 (see above), but it was not documented on our work order.  The concern then and now is how this engine sits in the boat hull.  Modifications would be required in order to raise the engine if it is even possible, or another oil pan needs to be sourced.  Again, we couldn’t find any oil pans smaller in 2021.  In addition, the client was not interested in spending more money for engine mounting modifications in 2021 and Zito’s would not recommend modifications, as they could wear the driveshaft u-joints or jet pump bearing.  Zito’s did inform the client additional charges would be incurred for engine removal if the oil pan was leaking due to wearing on the haul.  This is only because the client was informed of our concern in 2021 and he wanted to take his chances vs. taking it to someone for mount modifications and confirmation the jet pump nor u-joints would be damaged.  After explaining this to the client he opted to remove the boat from Zito’s.
  
  12/10/2023   Client informed Zito’s he was thinking about bringing the boat back for the oil leak repair, as he didn’t think the leak was at the oil pan.
  
  Sunday 01/08/2023 @ 3:17 PM:
                           Client dropped the boat off without informing or scheduling and asked if it could be put inside. 
  
  Sunday 01/08/2023 @ 9:07 PM:
                         Zito’s responded, stating the shop was full and there was no way to put it inside.  Zito’s asked the client to take it back home until the schedule opened sometime in March. 
  
  01/10/2023:  Client decided he would leave it here until we could look at it, then it was removed without any word.
  
  01/23/2023   Client brought the boat back hoping we could inspect it while he was in Michigan.
  
  01/28/2023:  Client texted asking if we had found out anything, then stopped in the shop and was informed Zito’s did not have time to do any oil leak investigation.  Keep in mind this is not a quick inspection, as the engine would need removed from the boat in order to determine where the oil leak was coming from.  At this time, client opted to remove his boat from Zito’s shop parking lot.
  
  
  Zito’s has honored the warranty and is willing to repair anything Zito’s or Jasper Engines has/had responsibility for until 04/05/2023. 
  
  Boat design was not part of the scope of work either party agreed to.  The oil pan issue was discussed and both parties concluded it wasn’t an issue previously and shouldn’t be now.  Client didn’t want to pay for possible engine mount modifications to raise the engine away from boat hull or build a custom oil pan, therefore, Zito’s does not believe if the oil leak was caused from rubbing the boat hull Zito’s would be obligated to fix the oil pan issue under warranty.  Zito’s is more than willing to remove the engine and determine where the oil leak is coming from.  Should it be anything other than a leak caused by the engine oil pan rubbing the hull, Zito’s will absolutely repair the problem during the warranty period at no charge. 
  
  Zito’s has no idea what the client meant about fixing the distributor to ensure it works properly.  The distributor is under warranty for one season and would be replaced if the failure was not caused by water damage.  For further clarification please see attached signed invoice showing the $3,216.53 charge was for more than just a distributor.  Zito’s only invoiced $349.00 for the distributor which was what Summit Racing charged Zito’s.
  
  Zito’s is focused on providing great customer experiences, which is why we didn’t have any complaints until now.  Zito’s feels bad this client is not happy and are open to scheduling a time for engine removal and inspection, which was communicated to the client.  Further clarification is needed regarding a potential distributor issue noted by the client in this complaint.

  Customer response

  03/23/2023

   I am rejecting this response because:
  
  The oil pan does not rub the bottom of the boat. The oil pan that is in the boat now came from the previous engine but it is the hands of Zito's Auto and Marine that installed on the engine from Jasper Engines that is currently in the boat. The oil leak is coming from the rear of the engine from around the gasket somewhere or the rear main seal. The only reason they are saying that its rubbing the bottom of the boat is so they wont have to fix it. If it didnt rub the bottom of the boat before it wont now. Its the same engine just a different one. They improperly installed something and I want it fixed. I want a date they will work on it and a date they will have it done. Im not gonna wait a year for this. In January I left the boat there for a few days with an agreement that they would try to locate the leak with a camera. After 3 weeks of my boat sitting out in the winter time in the snow and rain and after texting and calling 4 or 5 times I finally went and picked it up and put it back in the garage. I was being ignored and decided to file a complaint with the BBB and the Ohio Attorney General instead.  My warranty on this engine is 2 years but that starts from the date Zito's Auto and Marine received it. It was well over a year before I received the boat back running (May of 2022). The engine sat on their stand for at least 8 months before they touched it. Then I first received it back with the wrong fly wheel installed in it. My warranty should start in May of 2022. 

    As for the distributor, it doesn't advance or devance properly. This was verified the day that ***** came in the boat with me and he had his timing light. We set the timing at 32 degress while running 3500 rpm. When we got back to the trailer and had it idling still in the water the timing light said it was still on 26 degrees. If you advance the timing enough to where it gets to 32 degrees (which is where its supposed to be when running at or near full throttle) then it cranks really hard when trying to start because its not devancing enough. They know this. Ive discussed it with them, so for them to say they dont know what Im talking about is not true. And yes they charged me $349 for the distributor. But they added 4 hours of labor on top which adds up to $500. Its an hour and a half job. They were padding the bill because they had to eat the cost of the flywheel situation. Also they did a lifter job on this engine after it was received. Jasper compensated them for this but not at nearly the rate they normally charge. That sucks for them but its not my fault. I had a warranty and should not be charged extra for something else because they are trying to make the money back. 

  Fixing this oil leak would take them a day. I want it fixed and not to take longer than a week especially if its during the summer. And for my engine warranty to be good until May of 2024.

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