|
|
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
03-23-2012, 05:15 PM | #1 |
Scooby Newbie
Member Sales Rating: (4)
Member#: 61348
Join Date: May 2004
Location: san ramon, ca
|
My JDMRacingMotors Review
I purchased a motor/6 speed combo back in September, 2011 from JDMRacingMotors. Both the motor and transmission were received in mid September to my installer here in California.
At first glance, the motor looked to be in good condition. there were a few minor broken pieces (timing belt cover, pulley damaged, and the timing belt was frayed.) we did a leakdown test on the motor and it showed 60% leakdown in one of the cylinders and over 20% leakdown on the remaining three cylinders. the installer told me that this could be an issue but we were reassured by JDMRacingMotors that it would not be a problem and that they would stand by their motor. I was also told that since the motor has not run for a long time, the result of the leakdown test is not indicative of the health of the motor. i was reassured that once the motor goes in and the motor ran with everything in place, the motor would be fine. The only real way to find out if the motor is good or bad is if the motor was installed and that the motor ran. At the time, I was also told that the replacement parts will be refunded. This was when Wali was still with JDMRacingMotors. Fast forward to February, 2012, my mechanic was able to complete all the wiring work, etc to get the car running. Lots of black smoke at initial start up, then the catalytic converter gave out and blew chunks out of the exhaust, then there was a bunch of white smoke coming out of the motor. The installer did a compression and leakdown test and the compression ratio showed 145, 145, 138, 145. leakdown showed 3%, 5%, 16%, and 1%. The spark plugs were taken out and lots of black carbon buildup in cylinder #1, and #3. i contacted JDMRacingMotors to go over the next steps and this is where we have the issues. They stated that the warranty is out and they are not responsible for the motor and that 16% leakdown test on the one cylinder is within specs of a subaru motor. I did receive another OEM downpipe and the payment to the repaired parts in the last two weeks. I indicated to JDMRacingMotors that i would have the installer do a teardown of the motor to find out exactly what is wrong with the motor. The results were that both pistons and valves had caked on carbon buildup in cylinder #1 and #3. I was told that the car was running very rich and for long periods of time, and that this was the cause of the high leakdown in cylinder #3. In hindsight, I should have have asked for another motor instead of installing the motor. Now I have no way to recover the $4200 I purchased (since it is out of warranty from JDMRacingMotors) for the motor and I need to have it cleaned and rebuilt and reinstalled back into the car. unfortunately, it was all through the recommendation of JDMRacingMotors of where i am at now.
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
Last edited by chochocho; 03-25-2012 at 10:18 PM. Reason: adding paragraph spacing |
03-28-2012, 10:52 AM | #2 | |||||
Former Vendor
Vendor Sales Rating: (86)
Member#: 193311
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Virginia
|
Yat,
I will be as professional as possible with this reply, however we have bent over backwards trying to make you happy. It's sad that you have decided to post this on the forum for an engine that is in perfectly good shape. The COMPRESSION Test results speak for themselves. Please see my replies below: Quote:
Also, I would like to address the "small broken parts" you are referring to. We only sell USED engines, and by no means would we sell an engine under the impression that everything is brand new. Maybe you've never bought a USED engine before (understandable) but, there will be signs of use because it is USED. The accessories on the engine are not warrantied (this is stated in our sales policy). The IMPORTANT components are warrantied which are the head and the block. That being the case, we went out of our way to send you replacement parts for the ones that were damaged (even though they were not covered under our warranty) and even went so far as to refund you part of your purchase price for BRAND NEW dealership parts in some cases. Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Also, if you really wanted to clean the engine, there are products out there designed specifically to clean carbon build up in engines without "rebuilding" it. At this point I'm questioning if there really is any carbon buildup, or if your installer is just taking you for a ride. We would appreciate an apology once you do some research and find the we are being upfront and honest when we say the engine in healthy. It would also be nice to apologize to the community here for misleading them with this thread.
__________________
[B]JDM Racing Motors [/B] [B]Toll Free: 1-877-327-3231[/B] To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Last edited by JdmRacingMotors; 03-28-2012 at 11:09 AM. |
|||||
03-28-2012, 07:44 PM | #3 |
Scooby Newbie
Member Sales Rating: (4)
Member#: 61348
Join Date: May 2004
Location: san ramon, ca
|
First, i stand by my review. I've been told numerous times that this motor is good by JDMRacingMotors. if i have to rebuild it, then obviously, something was wrong or not functioning correctly with it and my engine teardown results indicated that the motor did not run as a working motor should. I also stand by my installer's assessment of the motor.
i have made only one JDM motor before and this included a warranty that the motor will run and run well after installation and am driving it daily for the past two years. I was NEVER told of your purchasing policy when you bring a motor here. Regardless, i find 60% leakdown on a cylinder that has not run for months to be excessive. i could understand if the motor had a consistent 20% leakdown across the board. But this was not the case and that was why i had inquired with Wali about this motor before i put it in. The key is CONSISTENCY and the leakdown test before the motor was installed and the leakdown test after the motor was installed were not CONSISTENT across the board. Regarding the small broken parts. the damages were to a timing belt cover, cam pulley and idler pulley. without these parts corrected, the motor wouldn't run, would it? these were replaced as they should, imho. All in all, these parts were $210, which is the cost i paid to the installer to get it replaced, not including any additional labor cost involved. Regarding the catalytic converter, yes, you did send it to me so i have no issues on this. Regarding the motor, the compression test completed is within the boundaries of a decent motor. Unfortunately, the leakdown test showed 3%, 5%, 16%, 1%. YOU, as a JDMRacingMotors representative, told me that this is an acceptable number for a decent running motor. I have spoken with very reputable shops in the Bay Area and they all indicated to me that this motor needed to be looked at. Without any prior knowledge of if/when/how the motor ran before i got it, i took the advice of my installer to tear it open and have a look. I indicated to JDMRacingMotors that this is what i am going to do and to get to the bottom of this and the results are what I have reported. JDMRacingMotors made no mention of other things i could have done until now, after i have done this review. I have pictures to show the carbon buildup in the pistons and valves and no amount of running the motor would have cleaned it up. I purchased the motor from JDMRacingMotors from you for $4200 and as i have stated, it will cost me that much and more to get it rebuilt and installed. Not to mention the cost to have this motor put in. essentially, i have paid double the install on the motor plus the rebuild. I never asked JDMRacingMotor for a replacement motor after i had the car started and it didn't run well. I did ask JDMRacingMotor if there was anything that they are willing to do about it. I gave JDMRacingMotor an opportunity to do rectify this situation but we essentially agreed to disagree. |
03-28-2012, 10:15 PM | #4 |
Scooby Specialist
Member Sales Rating: (6)
Member#: 59094
Join Date: Apr 2004
Chapter/Region:
South East
Location: terminus
Vehicle:04/7 wagon & fozzie wrb/blk |
When you but a used engine, typically no external accessories are warrantied ie timing belt covers, pulleys, etc. youre buying a long block and thats it.
You may not have"asked" for a replacement engine or a refund. But asking them what theyre going to do to rectify the issue is essentially the same thing. What would you want or expect them to do? |
03-29-2012, 01:54 AM | #5 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member Sales Rating: (4)
Member#: 61348
Join Date: May 2004
Location: san ramon, ca
|
Quote:
I got a defective motor and I asked them how they would like to rectify the situation. I never asked for a replacement motor or a refund. I asked if they had a solution but we agreed to disagree |
|
03-29-2012, 02:14 AM | #6 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member Sales Rating: (55)
Member#: 155598
Join Date: Aug 2007
Chapter/Region:
NESIC
Location: Vernon Connecticut
Vehicle:2004 AW Subaru WRX JDM v7 STI spec-C |
Quote:
Think about their standpoint. You arent buying a new motor. They buy cars that were run by "random" japanese people, and had the motors sent here. I think its common sense that there is some sort of gamble. And if you REALLY want to take this gamble, they offer a warranty WITHIN 30 or 60 days, cant remember off the top of my head. Ideally, you should have popped the motor in and ran the car, compression can read incorrectly when the motor has been sitting. Drive it for a couple weeks, do another compression test- and NOW if there is an issue, go back to JDMracingmotors... They didnt make you disassemble the motor, you made that decision, you pay for those costs. Ill be honest- i bought from JDMracingmotors on multiple occasions. Did I get a perfect motor? no. Timing belt cover was cracked (but i was refunded the $26 is costs from the local dealer. The STI tmic has a hole through it from the bell housing bolts, so I was sent ANOTHER STI tmic (for no additional charge, even got to keep the old one). Got an ECU that was funky, so I shipped it back and they sent me a different one. They were very accommodating. |
|
03-29-2012, 12:07 PM | #7 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member Sales Rating: (4)
Member#: 61348
Join Date: May 2004
Location: san ramon, ca
|
Quote:
Bottomline, my motor's leakdown test after it was installed and ran did not meet subaru guidelines for a leakdown test between cylinders. could the number have improved after running the car longer and for a few more weeks? could it have gotten worse? I really do not know that answer. I wanted to get to the bottom of the condition of the motor so i paid for the teardown and inspection of the motor. I am paying for it to get it repaired and up and running. Finally, I do not want a NEW motor because that is not what i purchased from JDMRacingMotors. |
|
03-29-2012, 05:59 PM | #8 |
Scooby Newbie
Member Sales Rating: (2)
Member#: 263782
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Monterrey, Mexico
Vehicle:2011 WRX STi Satin White Pearl |
They do have a time limit on the warranty to avoid issues with people mistreating their motors then wanting a refund, i know that might not be the case with you but the do have a reason to doubt after so much time..
|
03-29-2012, 09:32 PM | #14 |
Scooby Specialist
Member Sales Rating: (3)
Member#: 43201
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: SF Bay Area
Vehicle:04 STi 07 Corvette |
I dont care what they say, you informed them of the problem as soon as you found out while it was still under warranty and they told you it was fine just to stall you till the warranty ran out. You wouldnt really have a leg to stand on if you had never informed them till after the warranty expired, but you did and they advised you to install the motor anyway and it would be fine.
So now, after they knew about the problem while it was under warranty, AND advising you to still install the motor that they knew damn well wouldnt magically fix a cylinder with that much leakdown, decide that they wont honor their warranty? damn, that is weak. |
03-29-2012, 09:49 PM | #15 |
Scooby Specialist
Member Sales Rating: (55)
Member#: 155598
Join Date: Aug 2007
Chapter/Region:
NESIC
Location: Vernon Connecticut
Vehicle:2004 AW Subaru WRX JDM v7 STI spec-C |
Compression tests were excellent. Leakdown is worthless on subarus apparently. I spoke to EFI logics and im not sure how true that is, just repeating what i heard from a VERY reputable shop.
|
03-30-2012, 07:15 PM | #18 | |
Former Vendor
Vendor Sales Rating: (1)
Member#: 26933
Join Date: Oct 2002
Chapter/Region:
BAIC
Location: Fairfield, CA
Vehicle:2006 STI CGM |
Quote:
-- Ed
__________________
Equilibrium Tuning 631 Railroad Ave. Suite A Fairfield, CA 94533 Phone: 707-425-2137 Fax: 707-637-8771 |
|
03-31-2012, 11:44 AM | #19 |
Scooby Specialist
Member Sales Rating: (55)
Member#: 155598
Join Date: Aug 2007
Chapter/Region:
NESIC
Location: Vernon Connecticut
Vehicle:2004 AW Subaru WRX JDM v7 STI spec-C |
Tell me if im wrong, but shldnt u test compression first. And if something is put of range tHEN u dk a leakdown? I always thought compression was to see if enough pressure was being exerted in the cylinders, and if one was low, a leakdown would tell u where the leak is coming from (intake, exhaust, or headgaskets)
|
04-02-2012, 12:25 PM | #20 | |
Former Vendor
Vendor Sales Rating: (86)
Member#: 193311
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Virginia
|
Quote:
Last year you sent us an email about starting up the engine very soon, afterwards we never heard anything from you until recently. 4 months after (as you simply said fast forward) your email stating you will be starting the engine very soon, you contact us making these claims. Keep in mind this is 6 MONTHS after you made the purchase. We can not/do not accept any claims after 6 months from purchase date. Please understand the following: 1) You purchased on Sept. 2011 (with 60 day warranty) 2) According to your emails compression tests are with in Subaru's specifications. 3) You made no complaints during the warranty period. You were alarmed about the initial leakdown test, but that improved just like we said it would. 4) Calling/Emailing in FEBRUARY 2012 that you now all of sudden have an issue, is very hard to believe. 5) We sent you a refund for parts and sent you replacement parts (we have the PM to prove it) So please stop acting like the victim here. It is our belief that you installed the engine (during 4 months and 3 days without contacting us), misused it, raced it, abused it, etc and now you are trying to get it warrantied. We will not be taken advantage of, we tried everything possible to help you (over $500.00 value in March-2012), you are beyond help. Thank You
__________________
[B]JDM Racing Motors [/B] [B]Toll Free: 1-877-327-3231[/B] To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. |
|
04-02-2012, 01:01 PM | #21 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member Sales Rating: (4)
Member#: 61348
Join Date: May 2004
Location: san ramon, ca
|
Quote:
$210 of the $500 are parts that were damaged during transit. regardless of whether it is typically covered or not in a JDM motor purchase, it was agreed that back in october that this would have been taken care of. I appreciate that you sent me a replacement oem downpipe. Once again, i am reiterating that the leakdown test after the car ran showed more than a 10% difference between cylinders. also, the psi difference between cylinder is 8 psi in the compression test. that's getting close to the threshold of 10psi difference between cylinders when issues start arising. i can certainly understand your doubts on what I've done to the motor. I have done nothing but be truthful in this situation. The car has been sitting in the installer's garage all this time and did not run until i contacted you in late february. Since the motor is out of my 60 days warranty, JDMRacingMotors is not obligated to do anything else. All i can say is buyer beware. |
|
04-02-2012, 02:21 PM | #22 |
Scooby Specialist
Member Sales Rating: (55)
Member#: 155598
Join Date: Aug 2007
Chapter/Region:
NESIC
Location: Vernon Connecticut
Vehicle:2004 AW Subaru WRX JDM v7 STI spec-C |
So wen the installer ripped apart the motor, what did they find? What was the actual damage. If there was in fact damage, and you can prove with pics from the shop, then id say jdm shld cover it or at least swap motors with a different one.
|
04-02-2012, 02:26 PM | #24 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member Sales Rating: (4)
Member#: 61348
Join Date: May 2004
Location: san ramon, ca
|
Quote:
i have a bunch of pictures and will post them up shortly. |
|
04-02-2012, 02:37 PM | #25 | |
Scooby Guru
Member Sales Rating: (11)
Member#: 79643
Join Date: Jan 2005
Chapter/Region:
NESIC
Location: The internet
Vehicle:2021 STI TE Terminal black pearl |
Quote:
|
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Purchased my SRT-4 3 days ago. My initial reviews. | Mighty Mouse | Off-Topic | 195 | 02-19-2003 07:10 AM |
UTEC & Mods Completely in, My initial review | DiMensionX | Factory 2.0L Turbo Powertrain (EJ Series Factory 2.0L Turbo) | 42 | 10-03-2002 11:43 AM |
Please check my Mastro review in Dealer review forum | Robmat | South East Region Forum | 3 | 11-17-2001 09:32 PM |
New carting place by my house. Review | david2z4 | North West Impreza Club Forum -- NWIC | 12 | 06-05-2001 03:50 PM |