ComplaintsforSouth Houston Engine Service

• Initial Complaint

  09/17/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I contacted South Houston Auto on July 27th Requesting information about rebuilding my 1999 Ford explorer engine. As the shop states on their website they are a diesel specialty shop, and the ford 4.0 SOHC engine is a difficult engine to time. I received a reply from a Mr. JD Kitchen. in which he replied "Yes we also do gas engines. Please call us for more details 800-477-1833". I got a quote for a full teardown and rebuild of my engine, including boring and decking the block, rebuilding the cylinder heads, and Cleaning my front covers and valve covers. JD stated that it would be $3450 before tax. which compared to other quotes I got was reasonable. I dropped off the engine sometime at the end of July or beginning of August, and received it Sept 1st. After inspecting the Engine Over labor day weekend I have determined that this was a rushed job, incomplete, and services not done. The cylinders (pictured) still have the same marks and pitting before and after "boring" which is impossible. Parts of the engine still have excessive carbon deposits and dirt. The cylinder heads did not receive new springs or seats, as well as valves. In its current state I am unable to re-assemble it for use in my vehicle. I Sent the Photos of the engine to the SanJac FAST Automotive Coordinator which he stated "Even for a rush job there are eyebrow raising issues" I Have attempted to bring evidence to the shop and demand a full or partial refund, and I was met with aggression and told "You're not getting a refund you better get that out of your head right now." JD swears that his work is good and that my camera "makes you see things that aren't there" and requested that we pull the cylinder head off of the engine to prove his work is good, but is unwilling to do so unless I pay for additional parts and meet with him during times I am unavailable due to work. I requested meeting between 3PM - 5PM before the store closes, but "his guys go home at 4" Add. Photos can be provided.

  Business response

  09/22/2023

       we received the complaint from Mr. ***** and are a little confused about his concerns.  The engine was remanufactured back to specs and has a written 18 month parts and labor warranty.  There are sometimes machining marks that to the untrained eye may cause concern, but none of the pictures we looked at showed any problems.  His contention that the block was not bored and honed is not true and if he removes the cylinder head he will see a perfectly on size cylinder.  As far as the cylinder heads,  all rebuilders grind the valves and seats and test the springs.  If any of those items can not be brought back to specs they are then replaced at that point.  We use jet spray cabinets, ultrasonic, and ovens to clean components.  Even then,  some of the time it would not pass a white glove test,  but would have not effect on engine performance. We rebuilt his engine, and our invoice state that are engines are custom built and we do not issue refunds.   Would be glad to discuss this.     Sincerely,  Michael ****** **********

   

   

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