ComplaintsforJames Wood Motors Inc

• Initial Complaint

  02/03/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I purchased a **** Chevrolet Blazer with a freshly installed new GM crate engine with @1K miles from a ***************************** of ********, **. The engine had excessive blow buy at the time of purchase by **** set up the warranty repair under Mr. ******** name with is full consent as no initial warranty registration had occurred and all receipts to initialize the warranty were in Mr. ******** name. It is worth noting that ****************** stated to me that he had the timing set by a local mechanic utilizing the documentation furnished with the motor. ****************** also stated that the engine had excessive blow by immediately and that during its initial test drive, the engine blew the *** valve out of the valve cover. This indicates little to no engine vacuum. An indicator of advanced timing is excessive engine vacuum. The engine excessive blowby problem appeared to be a bad ring issue and was brought to JWM for warranty repair.After 10 weeks I was told that timing was set to fast and had caused the engine issues by basically overheating and breaking the rings and pitting the pistons. No initial testing was made for compression in the engine and then a very exhaustive process of which the engine was partially disassembled allowed JWM and GM Performance Parts (a General Motors company) to void the warranty based upon JWMs assessment of the condition that caused the engine to have excessive blowby. In short, I drove the vehicle into JWM and hauled it out on the back of a trailer. A third-party mechanic is in process of repairing the engine by installing new pistons and rings. Estimated repair cost for parts and labor is $1800,00 by the third-party mechanic. JWM stated to me that a new engine was required and then offered to sell it and install is for $8500.00. Additionally, when I retrieved the Blazer and tub of parts I noticed that there were numerous dings and dents in my hood, doors and rear tail gate that were not there before. I have no current estimate for repairs.

  Business response

  03/01/2022

  We performed the inspection on ***** Huffmans **** ***** Blazer as instructed by the ************************** The initial inspection they requested us to do was to determine if Base timing was set correctly and that whether the vacuum advance was hooked up or not. I personally observed these inspections and took a photo of the vacuum advance the way it was when vehicle arrived. Please refer to the attached information for our diagnosis and pictures of vacuum advance hooked up.  The timing for the vehicle should be set at 32degrees BTDC at **** rpms with vacuum advance disconnected and vacuum advance should be blocked off and not used on this engine. I feel what happened was the installer set the timing at 32 degrees at idle which is what we found to be the case ( 34 degrees at idle was what we measured). This is what caused the issue with the engine.
  Normal procedure for base timing set up is to set it at idle with vacuum advance not hooked up but this engine requires a different procedure. 
  
  PCC *************************** requested disassemble of engine to get pictures of the pistons. We did this and sent them the pictures. Through this inspection they declined warranty coverage. 
  
  All we did was perform the inspection per instructions from GM. 
  PCC determination was the severely advanced timing caused damage to the Engine resulting in its failure. Engine failure was not due to Manufacturers defect but improper installation and set-up. 
  
  More information is on the attached invoice along with picture. 
  
  Thank you 
  *****************
  Service Manager 
  James Wood Motors
  

  
  

  Customer response

  03/01/2022

  Complaint: 16705424
  
  I am rejecting this response because:the main point of the Initial complaint was the engine as noted. The information of JWM is reputed by 2 different mechanics and evidence has been preserved that indicates oversized rings were utilized that were outside traditional mechanical judgement as cola stated by 2 independent mechanics. The damage that occurred to the vehicle by mishandling such as the multiple dents and dings in the vehicle are the result of negligence on the part of JWM. I will submit a written estimate for repairs as well as pics of the vehicle prior to the attempted repair, upon request. JWM did not adequately pronounce why it took 10 weeks to do a 2 hour job. 
  
  Regards,
  
  James ****

  Business response

  03/02/2022

  The process for diagnosing his vehicle did take an extended amount of time due to numerous situations. We did have a man power issue during the time the vehicle was here due to Covid concerns. Also the repair had to be coordinated with the *** team and all findings given to them after every test was performed. ****************** was fully aware that if the vehicle was disassembled and warranty coverage was denied that he would be responsible for repair or reassemble of the vehicle. Diagnosis was not charged. ****************** agreed to disassembly of the engine knowing that if it warranty coverage was denied that he would be responsible for repair or reassembly of engine. He chose to pick it up disassembled and parts put in vehicle.

  We gave an estimate for a replacement engine so that the repair would have a warranty. We did not give options for piston replacement due to the excessive cylinder temperatures due to the improper procedure used when the setting the base timing for the engine. The incorrect setting of the base timing is the reason the engine had Excessive blow by within the mileage stated by ************. By setting the Base Timing incorrectly caused damage to the pistons and ring lands due to the excessive cylinder temperatures created by the timing being set incorrectly and vehicle driven that way. ****************** informed me that the engine was installed **** miles prior to him bringing it in to have it diagnosed. 

  This vehicle was not damaged while in our possession it was returned in the same condition as when it was brought in.

  The warranty for the engine is not through James Wood Motors but in fact through GM Performance parts. i cannot authorize repairs and the decision for not covering the repair was made by the *** through pictures and diagnostic information we provided them. All finding that we provided were truthful and correct. 

  James Wood Motors will not be addressing any claims for damage to the vehicle. 

  Furthermore we cannot make any changes to the decision made by the *** to deny warranty coverage.

  Any decision regarding warranty will need to be directed to the ***. Tell us why here...

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