Hi guys,

Bought a set of new 243/799 CNC'd heads from a respected forum vendor/manufacture and had them professionally installed at a local LSx shop. As soon as the car is fired up a coolant leak is noticed and it turns out to be from what looks like a casting/machining defect in the head.(not installation error etc.)

The vendor has agreed to "next day" a new set of heads. Am I in left field for expecting some kind of labor reimbursement for a defective part. Not to mention the extra cost of new head gaskets, oil, and coolant I'm having to pay AGAIN.

The shop doing the install is helping with a reduced labor charge and doing gaskets etc @ cost but I'm still looking at around an additional $550 or so to swap out their defective heads.

Any opinions?

Thanks,
Ken

 

you are lucky the shop is helping you out esp. when ya bring your food to the diner

 

Your absolutely right...the shop doing the install work has been good to me. The vendor who sent us a defective part is the one I'm wondering about.

Hell for what I'm having to spend on the defective 243's I could've had a set of AFR's...what mess.

 

I don't want to seem like the definitive word on your issue(s), but I do think it's a bit of a stretch. This, despite the fact that the defective part had nothing to do with you or the installer---all on the fabricator.
That the fabricator is even standing up/by their product and shipping a new one (s) is maybe a tad unusual. And then again, maybe not. Maybe they really are stand up people. Let's hope so.

However, it doesn't hurt to discuss this issue with them in a civil conversation. I do mean discuss, not harangue or badger them with all they did wrong, since they know that. I'd just explain it clearly.

"The heads were wrong. As a result, I, the owner have added costs besides my own time lost.

Those costs are about (I'll pick a number which is your number!!) $550. The breakdown is:
- 2 hrs. labor at $85/hr.,
- fluid, shop towels (not trying to be funny) $175,
- parts $205.

Is there something you can do about this?"

just my suggestions, if you haven't done it already.

 

The discusssion with the vendor/manufacture went pretty much how AORoads described. Though the cost breakdown for the job is a bit different that he listed.

They basically said it's not their policy to help with labor $$$ at all on defective parts and said it's a "standard policy" industry wide. I did a quick search on google and found several engine builders that have a policy for reimbursing labor at a set flat rate on defective engine parts. So I'd say it's not exactly "industry standard" as they claim.

I'm just glad I don't have one of their blocks. Imagine having a similar issue with a defective block and having to pull the motor and strip it so it can be replaced then having to put it all back together...ouch.

Oh well...whether these guys are doing right by me or not, at this point I just want my car done.

 

I hate to disagree with you (I don't think it is right on their part) but most warranties, as almost all, cover the replacement of the defective part with no associated costs (other parts or labor). Like I said, I don't agree with it but it is what it is.

 

This is why I let the installation shop supply the parts. I have never been in your position but I guess I always figured if I use the parts the shop supplies and something is wrong with those parts they will make good. After all the manufacturer values a large shop who buys in volume from them more than a one off customer. Maybe I'm kidding myself but I don't ever buy my own parts and then ask a shop to install them.

 

I've seen shops get burned on bad parts, but since I was buying them from the shop its their problem. I do think its standard practice to not reimburse labor on a part, consequential charges.

 

As a reputable vendor, he should cover not only the defective part, but also the parts to reinstall the new parts(gaskets,oil,filter,antifreeze) and cover the flat rate for R&R on the heads.
My hat is off to the shop that's doing the work and helping you with some of the price of parts and labor.
Whom ever did the machining should reimburse the vendor for his mistake.
Good Luck
Phil

 

Thanks for all the opinions guys.

The vendor that supplied the heads(edit:they get the raw casting from gm and cnc inhouse to their specs) has decided to give me a small refund which will be enough to cover new gaskets and oil plus they did overnight my shop the new set of heads so as to not hold up my build. The shipping probably ran them over $300 plus they are paying for return shipping on the defective heads. I'm not thrilled this happened but I'm fairly satisfied at the vendors efforts to this point.

I'm ready to move on and get my car back on the road.

The good news is the shop got the replacement heads installed yesterday afternoon and this morning it laid down 402rwhp with the untouched stock tuning. They were going to start tuning on it today.

They said they should be able to get a little more out of it but the parts I used were choosen for driveability more than all out hp so being that my car is an A6 I'll be pretty happy with it making anything over 400@the wheels.

Do to some crappy custom engine work the previous owner had done by what was thought to be a reputable shop in FL... this car has been fighting me tooth and nail since I bought back in the spring. I just hope now that all the questionable parts have been replaced I can finally drive it and nothing goes wrong with it.

-Ken