Waiting 7 weeks for a replacement engine.
 

Hi All,

I bought a KV6 engine from someone back in May. I found the guy on eBay but didn't go through eBay to buy the engine. I paid via Paypal though.

I got the engine and fitted it to the car. It had an oil leak so I replaced the crankshaft oil seal.

Anyway, water is mixing fairly heavily with the oil. I've only had the car on the drive running for the odd 5 minutes. I've flushed the engine and refilled with fresh oil, but it still comes out a creamy colour.

I was given a 120 day warranty with the engine so I contacted the seller who agreed to send a replacement engine so I could take out the old one and fit the new one in the same, and then ship the old engine back to him.

The problem is I've been waiting 7 weeks for the replacement engine to arrive. I chase it up about once a week, and usually get told it'll be out the following week, but it usually isn't.

I'm stuck now, I don't know where to go from here. I obviously need the new engine, and I think I've been patient enough waiting this long.

I don't want to jump to conclusion and say I'm getting my pants pulled down, because the delays could be genuine. I just want to know how I should proceed from here.

Can anyone provide any advice?

Firstly welcome.

Can you not raise a dispute via paypal? I thought you could. Next step would be trading standards, assuming it is a trader? Not sure where to go with this if not a trader. If that were me I would paying them a visit and taking some back-up.

I believe you can only raise a dispute within 45 days, and we're past that. I think i'm up to about day 86 now.

I looked on eBay to see if the seller was selling anything else, and he doesn't have any active account any longer.

Well, he seems to be a trader, it's a limited company, so maybe you're right, I could try Trading Standards.

I was going to try and diagnose the engine myself, I'm expect head gasket (although rare on the KV6), but I didn't want to invalidate the warranty, especially if it turned out to be something more serious.

It's not the first issue I had with the seller. I originally bought an engine from him, and after a month of not receiving it (it was damaged in transit) I got a refund.

what's the company name?

MG Rover Motorsport UK

I contacted the seller last week and advised him that I need the engine this week or I'd need to take it further.

Ned...

If it helps at all I have a 180 I am breaking, the KV6 engine is pretty much all there still (needs the manifold screwing back down and a cam \ crank sensor installed) 85k miles and was in perfect condition when I parked the car up :)

I can do you a good deal on the engine if your interested?

Personally I would be asking for my money back from the trader and looking elsewhere for a new engine :)

Isn't that George? :book:

The guys called George, other than that I don't know who it is, I just found him on eBay selling an engine.

Oh dear I think it is.................this is getting too much.

To much, am I missing something?

Nothing to do with you, so dont worry.

That could be read in the wrong way :)

Ned, what Pete means is the comment wasn't aimed at you :) so there is no need to worry about it...

I Hope you get things resolved one way or the other...

Where are you based by the way?

County Durham

EDIT: PeterZS, don't worry, I didn't take your post the wrong way, I know what you meant.

:beer2::beer2::beer2:

Hello.

Firstly we did supply an engine to this gentleman. It was returned damaged by the courier who took full responsibility for it. He was refunded at this point. We then had another engine come up which he was given the option to buy, which he did.

Unfortunately he has said that there is an issue with it, which it didnt have when it left.

As many on here will know, ive sold quite a few engines on here and not had one issue.

I offered a replacement as i had one coming in, the guy said he was a away on holiday and would contact me once he was.

The parts side has now been limited because of the certain factors which i announced on here weeks ago.

I am unable to operate the parts side full time now due to other factors, plus there is no money in it anymore.

The guy paid for a low mileage KV6, which are getting rearer than hens teeth now. So I had to wait for the right one to turn up. It has been removed and will be sent shortly.

No one has been ripped off at all.

George

Also, just another point that no one else has mentioned on here because there to quick to point fingers, is have you rang the person?

If you are going to accuse some one of ripping you off at least make the effort to ring them first. Dont rely on texs or emails as these are not infallible !!!

Its too easy to assume without finding out the facts ! A simple call would have cleared up any uncertainties in seconds rather than having to resort to public domains where its a free for all !

George

Just a few points.

I mentioned there was a problem with the engine before I went on holiday, and asked for a replacement when I returned. So the 7 weeks I've been waiting is since the day I asked for a replacement, so my holiday has nothing to do with the delay, I didn't include it.

I could of rang, yes, on the other hand, you could of rang me to tell me there was going to be a delay, or even to say you don't do this full time. Would ringing you of really got me more of an answer than I've been getting via email?

I've sent an email every week, and each week I'm told why the engine isn't with me, and that'll be here the following week. It never is, and today I'm told it'll be with me next week, but that was said last week, and the week before.

I did mention in an email last week that if the engine wasn't with me this week that I'd start seeking advice, and this is exactly what I'm doing.

If there's a short supply of low mileage engines, in all the numerous e-mails why didn't you just say, and I would of been even more understanding that I have been.

Finally, I always send e-mail because I've been burnt in the past, so I like to keep an audit trail incase things go wrong.

Just incase anyone thinks I'm being unreasonable.

Here's a record of my e-mails;

4th June - I advised there was a problem with the engine, what were my options. Told I could have an exchange, said I was going away but would sort it out when I got back.

13th June - I returned from holiday and advised I'd like a replacement engine.

17th June - Was waiting for a decent engine, one coming in that week, will be sent out on the 24th June

29th June - I chased, told the car was being delivered the next day. Engine would be out middle of the following week

6th July - I chased, personal problems caused a delay, engine would be send out the following week

20th July - I chased, personal problems caused a delay, engine would be sent out in the next couple of days

26th July - Chased again today and posted on here. I've been told the engine is almost ready and will be sent out next week.

Not being Funny but shouldn't this be kept to Private messaging.......

:thumbsdown::thumbsdown:

Should it ?

Looks to me like this was a last resort to get things moving

Yes

I don't agree.

I've kept it between us for 7 weeks now.

Im saying no more on this matter as its nothing to do with me

I've made a reply via private message and have no more to add to what's been already stated.

G

I've responded advising that I'll be contacting Trading Standards if I don't have tracking information by Wedneday.

Just to be clear to everyone, I'm in no way slagging anyone off or accusing anyone of being awkward. All I've done is simple describe (factually) what I've experienced.

But not much info relating to the engine and vehicle, just your problems...



It is wise to have the facts before making comment - from any party.

First, from what car did the engine come from? and where you aware of this?

What car is the engine going into? And was the seller aware of this? Did he suggest there may be differences.

Below is just an example...(a flip side of the coin to this thread so far)

For example cam inlet timing is slightlty different on a zt190 to a zs 180.

At the other end of the scale for example, if one was putting a 180/190 unit into say a freelander, which likely need the sump and oil cooler changing, then where the parts being fitted new or of known good quality and are you 100% sure the error may not lay at your end?

If there is any doubt about the componants changed and these complaints are being made then one is walking on very thin ice.

---Firstly you would need to prove the existing oil cooler you swapped onto the engine you bought is not rotten and causing the problems, or any part you have had to swap over to make work.

As there is no information as yet on what car the engine was from and what it need to go into...

perhaps you could fill us in on the information first before people choose to take sides...

The Engine was a 2.5 KV6 for a 2001 MG ZS 180. The seller knew this and did indeed supply the correct engine, there are no issues in that regard.

Buying a used engine can always be risky, hence the 120 day warranty. It just so happens that in this case there's something wrong with the engine (water mixing with the oil). I don't believe it's the sellers fault, it's just one of those things. I also don't believe the issue was caused during fitting. I do however believe that the engine may have been damaged in transit as it wasn't strapped to the pallet and even the delivery driver almost lost the engine off the panel a couple of times just transporting it into my garage, again, I don't think that's the sellers fault as I understand the delivery company were supposed to strap the engine to a pallet.

As for parts, the only parts that were put onto the engine from my old engine were...

- Alternator
- A new aux belt
- Power steering pump
- Inlet manifolds

The sump, oil cooler, timing belts, oil pump, water pump were not touched. Well, I did take off the timing belt to replace the crankshaft oil seal, but the oil was creamy before that. I thought an engine flush might resolve the oil colour issue, so I ran engine flush for 5 minutes, drained the oil and replace it with new oil. I ran it for 5 minutes and then drained that oil and replaced it with a better brand. Just letting the car turnover on the drive causes the coolant levels to drop, but there's no loss of coolant. The oil does however continue to be creamy.

The only issue is with the length of time it's taken to get the replacement engine, the lack of any communication from the seller without prompts from myself, and finally the false promises that the engine would be delivered each time I chased it up (on an almost weekly basis).

As far as I'm concerned, I don't want people to take sides, I simply wanted some advice. But feel free to read the issues I've had and use them to make up your own judgement on whether you wish to use the seller.

Ok, good to know the facts.

I know George, and I know that he would never knowlingly sell something that was not correct, and from what you have said, you know that as well.

I have used George for a fair bit of work, including a replacement engine (like yourself) cambelts and fitting piper cams amongst other stuff.
He is the only guy I know who bends over backwards for people as goodwill to keep them happy in/after event of problems, even when its not Georges fault.

You will not find a more reasonable person than George to deal with, but you do need to communicate live chat - ie the telephone any issues with him and trust him.

It is fair that george will need to see the engine and prove to himself that its faulty, if it is.
Your best route is to chat (humbly) to George and just make sure you have covered all angles and explore possibilities, proving between yourselves and eliminating any other possibilties.
George is a nice guy and very helpfull.
Like me George is old school, so chat on the phone.

Do this first and I am sure things will get resolved.

On another note of Georges hangups with continued supply of mg parts, I fully understand and have made comment to George before about the viability of continuing selling Rover/MG spares. Looking at the demographic profile, business model and long term (even short term) viablity, it sadly seems that it is not a profitably way forward. I personally feel George would be a loss in the MG scene, but passion does not put bread on the table.

Top Post Dude

I don't wish to come across as rude. However, for anyone reading this thread I have been advised that the last two posters(Marks and Bobdope2002) are friends(in some way) with the seller, hence their posts may come across as a little bias.

If this isn't the case, I apologise.

I just thought this may be helpful to others.

I felt I had written an unbiased post and gave the best advice for you and how to approach and deal with this matter with George in such a way that you get the best out of George.

A more frank approach is; you are not going to get the best out of this situation dealing with it on a forum, it will only wind George up. How well do you think George will respond if you choose to continue down this route?

Final words, pick up the phone and talk to him.

Edited:

I maybe friends With George but in no way have i influenced anyone's descion on George im not his publicist

I feel very saddened that someone on here who id claim to be a friend has to Go behind my back....... this sort of behaviour IMO is most particuly associated with Women Or a School Playground not an Adult Forum

Thanks

Tim

P>S still think this shud have been PM related and not Open forum material but Hey

I don't see how picking up the phone will do anymore than what I've already done.

George has already been in contact with me and advised he'll be sending the engine out next week. If I ring him will he tell me something different?

I've been in constant contact with George since I requested the replacement engine, it's not like I've sat back and waited 7 weeks and now I'm kicking off.

Sometimes getting an issue like this in the public domain helps people to pull their finger out.

It was a member of another forum that brought it to my attention.

ok...........

You don't think I've kept my problems exclusive to this MG related forum do you?

I have no idea...........

your not the only one having problems with George

Glad to see you've got things sorted out