A warning about engine swap shops.

[RVaillant]

I needed an engine for my cb7, and after awhile, we (my brother and I) came across an H23a1 for 350$. The shop claimed the engine ran strong, and it was "inspected", and they said it made 190psi compression across all cylinders.

It sounded like a solid deal.

So we bought the engine, and plopped it in the car on a saturday night. We primed it and fired it up.

Rod Knock. Really bad.

Pulled the pan, and the crank was NFG.

So I called the shop who sold us it. No answer.

Called again, this time they answer, They say there was NO WAY we were getting our money back for the engine, and that we must have damaged it on installation. (right.....)

We went to the shop, were the mechanic and the owner talked with us.

We asked the mechanic how he could have missed the noise from the engine.

The mechanic said he "Took the car it came out of for a burn around the block"

The owner became very angry discovering his mechanic was cruising around in uninsured vehicles.

Then they told us that they would give us a call.

We called them up after a few days, and they tell us a bunch of excuses why we may have messed up the engine on installation. None of which were crucial, nor were any overlooked anyways.

We got fed up and said they better reconsider.

I guess they got angry at that, and posted my brothers cell number on Craigslist, as a male seeking male.
and He had to change his number as a result of harassing calls.

Now we are stuck with a dead H23A1, im down 350$, and I got no support from them. Never again will I deal with them, and If its okay, I would like to post their information on here to prevent others from experiencing this.

Meanwhile, I spent a few more bucks, bought a JDM h22a with a warranty, and I have total support from the seller. Be careful people.

[CrazyxJake]

I needed an engine for my cb7, and after awhile, we (my brother and I) came across an H23a1 for 350$. The shop claimed the engine ran strong, and it was "inspected", and they said it made 190psi compression across all cylinders.

It sounded like a solid deal.

So we bought the engine, and plopped it in the car on a saturday night. We primed it and fired it up.

Rod Knock. Really bad.

Pulled the pan, and the crank was NFG.

So I called the shop who sold us it. No answer.

Called again, this time they answer, They say there was NO WAY we were getting our money back for the engine, and that we must have damaged it on installation. (right.....)

We went to the shop, were the mechanic and the owner talked with us.

We asked the mechanic how he could have missed the noise from the engine.

The mechanic said he "Took the car it came out of for a burn around the block"

The owner became very angry discovering his mechanic was cruising around in uninsured vehicles.

Then they told us that they would give us a call.

We called them up after a few days, and they tell us a bunch of excuses why we may have messed up the engine on installation. None of which were crucial, nor were any overlooked anyways.

We got fed up and said they better reconsider.

I guess they got angry at that, and posted my brothers cell number on Craigslist, as a male seeking male.
and He had to change his number as a result of harassing calls.

Now we are stuck with a dead H23A1, im down 350$, and I got no support from them. Never again will I deal with them, and If its okay, I would like to post their information on here to prevent others from experiencing this.

Meanwhile, I spent a few more bucks, bought a JDM h22a with a warranty, and I have total support from the seller. Be careful people.

thats why u always make sure u buy with a warranty ^^

[1990Ex]

not really there fault, cause you cant take someones word for a grain of salt these days, you should of brought someone to double check the motor for you.

[CrazyxJake]

not really there fault, cause you cant take someones word for a grain of salt these days, you should of brought someone to double check the motor for you.

true

[1990Ex]

maybe a str8 up shop..........i might, but from a speed shop..........HELL NO unless i call up my mech an he is allowed to check it top to bottom. not trying to be a dick but its the harsh truth of the world we live in today its sad. next time dont allow yourself to get set up like that

[Brandoncb7]

That sucks man. I'm sorry to hear this happend to you. I'll never understand that about people. If you're going to sell parts or anything for that matter why not be straight up. Yeah he just got 350 bucks from you. If he would have sold you a good motor or at least made it right after you found out something was wrong then he could have repeat business from you along with you giving out free advertisement on here and making a shitload more money. It sucks finding out the hard way about these things. How's the new motor you got after that doing?

[gloryaccordy]

I can tell u exactly where u fucked up.

So we bought the engine, and plopped it in the car on a saturday night. We primed it and fired it up.

Rod Knock. Really bad.

Pulled the pan, and the crank was NFG.

U should have inspected it before u bought it. W/o a warrantee, you're fucked. Now u gotta either rebuild it, or buy another motor. I took a huge risk w/my motor thinkin about it, but before I put it in my car I had my mechanic go over it w/a fine tooth comb. It passed + runs... not bad for $200

[nine_deuce]

I guess you could contact the BBB. You might be able to get somewhere with them. Tell them the shop told you that the engine was in good running order, after buying it, you found it was shit??

Just an idea??

[Brandoncb7]

I guess you could contact the BBB. You might be able to get somewhere with them. Tell them the shop told you that the engine was in good running order, after buying it, you found it was shit??

Just an idea??

Hell it couldn't hurt. Also the whole thing about putting his number on craigslist? Come the fuck on man. What self respecting shop owner.......you get my point. I guess that just proves what kind of dicks you were dealing with to begin with. REVENGE lol.

[Flatline]

thats why you pull the VC and oil pan, and check the coolant passages.

If the head looks clean, and the crank looks good and there isn't any sign of water/metal in the oil or oil in the coolant passages, and you can turn the motor over manually with no trouble you should be straight.

If they won't let you do so then there is a problem.

[evil_demon_01]

It sounds like you did get the short end of the stick, but at the end of the day it comes down to the buyer.
It is up to the buyer to check the condition of anything you purchase weather the part is new or 2nd hand.
When you hand the cash over imo that immediatly says you are are happy with what you are buying.
Either ask for a warranty, or ask to see the engine running before purchasing.

Did they give you an explaination as to how rod knock could have occured during installation - I'd like to hear their excuse for that

[F20A CB7]

I guess they got angry at that, and posted my brothers cell number on Craigslist, as a male seeking male.
and He had to change his number as a result of harassing calls.

wow

[deevergote]

I would consider seeking legal action, or at least filing a police report. Do everything in your power to make their lives miserable, since they seem to have no pride in their work (and no care for your car), and are willing to go so low as to provide your brother's private phone number to the public in a rather harmful way.

They have conducted poor business practices, and caused you and your brother a fair amount of emotional distress. You could take them to court and take them for all their worth for that. Put them out of business, and get money to get your car fixed PROPERLY.


By not simply posting their information here, it shows that even though they have wronged you, you still treat them with some degree of respect (that they really don't deserve, by your story). By asking for permission to post their information, you've shown your respect for this community, and the rules here. For that, I thank you.

I would think it would be in your best interest NOT to share their information if you plan on seeking any sort of compensation for the wrongs you have suffered. You don't want them saying "well, he put bad stuff about us on the internet too!"

[deevergote]

I guess you could contact the BBB. You might be able to get somewhere with them. Tell them the shop told you that the engine was in good running order, after buying it, you found it was shit??

Just an idea??

BBB has no power. The BBB is the "real life" equivalent to Ebay's feedback system. They are not a government agency, and they can't force anyone to do anything.

I agree that filing a complaint with the BBB would be a good idea... but it isn't likely to resolve anything.

[TheNextEpisode]

wow

x2, that's a shamefully low blow.