Engine problems
 

I know they are a reputable firm, but I have a question for anyone on here. Just want to know if there is anybody who has had either a bad engine or customer service from API, after they have purchased from them?

Regards

Has this happened to you?

Yes am having a few problems at the moment with an engine that was purchased

I bought a radiator from them about two weeks ago and couldn't praise them enough for the service. Next day delivery and it fits like a dream. Hope you sort out your problems.

Ben

Have you spoken to them about your problem?

Perhaps it may help if I state the facts of the problems I've had am having and if people think this is acceptable or not.

Back in November my engine let go, without any hesitation everyone I spoke to on what to do said "API is the place to go". So without delay I got straight on the phone to Dave at API, and I will say he was very helpful and informative. He gave me all prices and availability, + optional extras I could have had at an extra cost.

Next thing was straight out with the credit card and ordered the engine. As some people may or may not know, you can have two options on the engine £1400 + vat for a std recon engine and £1600 for a recon engine with replaced internals and PRE-RUN before dispatch. For my own piece of mind I paid the extra for the pre-run engine, which on top of that I also ordered at the same time ported headers and a lightened flywheel, which were £150 each taking my total bill to £2200.

This all arrived some 2 weeks later due to staff shortages and machine's being serviced at API, this I can accept and don't have a problem with. Anyway engine comes and unpack it to notice that the plastic cover over the timing belt pulley's was cracked where the headers had been placed on there for shipping. Called them to let them know this and they apologise. Everything is fine after all these things happen and a I can use my old ones anyway! There is no other signs of damage to the engine, all packaging is intact around the engine on the pallet.

This is now around 12-15th December, finally get the engine installed. Before engine is started, oil pressure is fully brought up to required pressure and so on. Start it up and, its knocking similar to the one that I'd just taken out as soon as it started. First thoughts are that's not good, could be lifters after a few people heard it sat there running for a few minutes. Shut it all off and called Dave the next day who said that the earlier engines may do that after a recon, and its probably the lifters, just need to drive it and they'll bed in. The man knows what he's talking about so I started it up the next day again (car has not been driven at this point), it runs for a few minutes then a nasty sound and it stops and wont start.

(we're now in January, due to xmas breaks)
Get the car booked in to the garage get a new belt put on and re-timed, on inspection one of the new pulleys (the right bank as you look at engine, the bottom one) that was put on had sheared off causing belt to jump off. Called API again to let them know this, to which the reply was, "has it had an impact"?. No it hadn't and the covers were on all times to protect them, apart from when I had to take out broken off bits before fitting. Anyway then took all my old pulleys off my old engine and gave them to the garage to fit and re-time. They were doing this as an when they could around their other pre booked jobs, only to then discover that once a new belt was on and timed, that one of the cams had to much end float and was smacking against the side of head (on the upper left bank as you look at engine). I call API once again, to let them know of what has happend(now end of January), then they swap #'s with the garage and sort out a few things. Once they realise there is a serious problem they've requested the engine back, to cut a longer story short didn't have time or cash to get it taken out and sent back.

API have then arranged for the car to be collected form the garage and transported to them, after speaking them they arranged pick up on a Friday 4th of February, to which I was told by Dave that he would get people on to it first thing Monday and should be done by Wednesday with either new head or engine, and they would foot the bill for the garage(thankyou very much). Imagine my excitement and joy my car was going to be sorted finally and back on the road after being parked for so long. So its all in hand and API have redeemed themselves to sort it, I call Thursday to find out the progress and when I may get it back. Only to be told that it hasn't been started yet, but I was next in the queue!!! Not the happiest of people at this point, but we all know sometimes these things cant be avoided with pre-booked work. But a phone call would've been nice. I call again today at lunchtime, to be told it will now be end of next week before its finished by a member of staff there. I leave a message saying I'm not too happy, and can Dave call me, to which they said they would pass on. Now 5.30pm and still no call back.

Have been very civil and polite, keeping them informed of every aspect of whats going on. Am now starting to feel very frustrated with all of this, as perhaps yes they have other jobs booked in but surely if my engine is faulty, shouldn't mine be put ahead of them in the queue to rectify a problem engine supplied !!

Not slating them but am not happy and am asking peoples opinions here as I know they are highly recommended and I would have thought things like this may have been resolved quicker considering how much was spent and that the car has not even been driven wit the new engine !

would like to hear people opinions on this, and sorry for the long post but its been a long time to get sorted

Bad luck Dave mate.

However, at least API have done something about it finally - it could have been a lot worse and you could have been seriously out of pocket. But I agree they should have communicated with you more.

Hope you get it back soon matey :D

I think you have been very reasonable and API seem to be trying. BUT, and it has to be said, they have had your money and your 'job' (as a freebie) isn't going to go ahead of paying customers.

I have heard of other Engine Rebuilders just washing their hands and walking away with words like, "Customer bust it themselves" ....... so, API seem to be acting reasonable .......

They could abide by their promises however, and ringing back when they say they will is an absolute MUST!

Good luck ..... I thought the Recon Boxer engine was more expensive than £1600? What would a brand new one cost? What would it cost to recon your own?

Pete

I can certainly understand your frustration at wanting the job done and your car back.

But I have to say, I think API have acted very responsibly and are actually sorting the problem out. Many places wouldn't have gone as far as they did.

Maybe the could have communcated better but I would be happy that a place with the excellent reputation for quailty is going to fix my engine.....without additional cost me.

Good luck with it all

It does seem as if you have been treated fairly, albeit slowly.

As you can imagine, any business has jobs booked in advance. I'm sure API are the same and didn't foresee any problems with your engine. This is a setback to them just as much as it is for you.

Personally, I think you shouldn't have said anything on the board yet, as the only problem you have had is one of a lengthy delay in getting your car back on the road.

I hope you get it sorted soon.

Do you think API knew the engine had had an impact prior to you receiving it?

Hi guy's

I do appreciate for what API have done so far and are trying to rectify the problem. However, I feel that I should not have been told the car would be started Monday(7th) and should be done by Wednesday(9th) if they had cars already booked in to be done.

with regards to the below

I think you have been very reasonable and API seem to be trying. BUT, and it has to be said, they have had your money and your 'job' (as a freebie) isn't going to go ahead of paying customers - - I agree, however a faulty engine on delivery is a problem you thought would have been rectified asap to avoid any unwanted or bad press from unhappy customers. Maybe this is due tp the company I work for and our returns policy I dont know, so am looking at it from a retail point of view and a customers point of view hence why I have been so patient aftyer paying the £1600+VAT plus £300 for extra's


Maybe the could have communcated better but I would be happy that a place with the excellent reputation for quailty is going to fix my engine.....without additional cost me. - - I forgot to say that I did phone on wednesday also to check the progress and was expecting a call back then and didn't get one then either. Yes they are fixing an engine, but the pre-run reconditioned engine was purchased from them in November and has not run form the start due to the faults that were listed in the post already. If it is faulty then there shouldn't really be a cost to me to have it put right !!

It does seem as if you have been treated fairly, albeit slowly. - - dont disagree they have been good, and letting the other garage do the work first to try and save it going back to them. But you wouldn't have thought these problems would have a risen in the first place on a pre-run engine. As I said it has only run standing for 10-12 mins after fitting then stopped.

As you can imagine, any business has jobs booked in advance. I'm sure API are the same and didn't foresee any problems with your engine. This is a setback to them just as much as it is for you. - - I can appreciate that yes they have other work also booked in, but I feel I should not have been given a day of whn it would be done by if they would not even be able to start it by that day, and that is what has got to me. I paid up straight away for the engine and ordered other parts at an extra cost, and yet I didn't even get a phone call to say sorry we have other cars booked in already, and wont get to your one! In my line of work communication is a key factor with our customers, so again perhaps I'm looking at it form that point of view


Do you think API knew the engine had had an impact prior to you receiving it? -- They have asked, but there was no evidence of impact form the courier, as all the shrink wrap around the engine on the pallet was intact bar a couple of holes.The pallet it was on was all intact. Just dont know what kind of impact would cause a cam to shatter inside the engine and not leave a mark on the outside, any ideas?

Thanks for your responses, hopefully this will get resolved soon and API will live upto all your praises and redeem the faith

Just point out, that this post was to ask if anyone else had experienced similar problems

WaveyRA:- I guess you can only hang in there and hope that it is all sorted out very soon. I know people have been saying that API have been quite resonable (and they have) but it is a pain when you've shelved out a lot of money for something to be fixed and it isn't.

Fingers crossed you'll be enjoying the car again soon!!

Ben

ps. do you know Bowley?

Dont panic captin Manering !!

Customer service at API
 

Dave [ waveyRA ] & others 7 pm Saturday night - just spotted this.,

This engine was/is a fully rebuilt, spin tested engine that performed correctly and passed all of our tests. After or during delivery it seems that there has been damage to the cambelt cover on one side and no other apparent damage. However, the impact must have been significant as it has fractured a cam pulley that rattled for a while before giving up. Fortunately the damage was light and the engine ran properly again once the original pulleys were fitted - on our instructions at the local garage.

What cannot be explained is that somehow, the engine now has an inlet cam on the right hand bank, the opposite side to the damage, with the thrust bearing face completely snapped off. hence the noise as the cam thrusts back and forwards. Clearly the engine cannot have been like this when it left APi as the noise is there to hear, even on spin over.

The engine now requires a replacement head on the right hand bank.

APi has tried to act responsibly and quickly to get the car going again without delay. We have been slightly delayed by the chosen garage taking time to attempt a repair, they are busy too, and then liaising with us to decide what to do. Once it became clear that it was more than a simple fix, we arranged to collect the car - bring it back to APi for repair. Repair it and return the car running properly as soon as possible. We paid the garage bill. After all you paid for an APi engine not one partially repaired by Joe Soap limited.

Mark, my salesman, has spoken to you both times and has explained - to the best of my knowledge - what we are doing and when. Both times you have called l have been on the telephone, which anyone who knows APi well, will tell you is almost all day, every day. I am not aware that l, personally, was required to call back - now I am.

The repair to the engine is time consuming and requires care to ensure that it is properly repaired and that we should also attempt to find out why a perfectly good tested rebuilt engine is now broken after 5 minutes running?

We need to be sure that there are no broken pieces inside the engine that may cause further harm so that when we bring the car back - free of any costs to you - it performs as it should have done from day one.

The reason for the damage in both instances is not clear. What is clear is that it cannot have been like that when it left APi. Rather than get into any argument about how can this be? We have assumed responsibility and are acting as promptly - with a busy schedule - to fix a problem not of our making.

Lesser companies would have left you to sort it out with the comment along the lines of 'Did you tell the carriers of the damage? If you didn't and signed for it un-damaged then I cannot help you'. That is not our way, as you have paid a lot of money for an engine and it is incumbent on APi to look after you no matter how the damage occurred.

The car will be ready as soon as we can do so and will be returned as soon as we can do so.

David APi Engines / APi Impreza

Thats a fair comment.

:thumb: to APi.

The sign of a good company is not necessarily when things are going well, but the response to problems / compaints.

I don't really think anyone could ask much more of you.

i try to run my own company (IT related) along the same lines...if there is a problem, we'll do our best to deal with it.

What I have found is that sometimes, no how many times and how far you bend over for people, they're still not happy. I'm certainly not saying this is the case with waveyRA though!

If I was in this position I'd be very greatful, lesser companies would have washed their hands with you. I know where I'll be going if I ever need a new engine(touch wood, I hope never!)....API!!

Well, just goes to show, when a company acts responsibly like this, it can only do itself a lot of good.

If I ever need an engine, then I too now know where to go.

Wavey, your obviously feeling frustrated at not having the car back when you expected. but think how bad you would have felt if you had gone to another company and they had walked away.

Let us know how the car is when you get it back.

One thing, is the EJ20 not an intererence engine ?, if a cam pully failed would this not lead to impact between pistion and valves ? Could the failure of the cam pully not be related to the cam failure of the other bank ?

As their was impact damage on the engine when recieved did the carriers drop it and repack it ?

Maybe not in this case but whenever you recieve goods, read the thing they want you to sign, if it say's 'all goods recieved and checked' either make them wait until you have checked them all, or sign it 'goods not checked' and cross out the other bit. Once you have signed that bit of paper, you have disolved any responsibility of the carriers.

I am told by the garage that did the remedial work on the broken cam pulley that it runs fine after the pulley was replaced., What l am not sure about is whether the pulley was just cracked and not fallen off or whether it was actually off.

Normally, a Subaru bends valves when a belt comes off. We will obviously check to be sure before the car is taken back.

As some of you say, it's what happens when something goes wrong that sets some companies apart from others. I'd like to think that we do it more or less right. We build about 3 - 4 engines PER WEEK here and touch wood - even with those numbers, there aren't posts all over here saying anything other than positive things.

David APi Engines / APi Impreza.

Gone now until Monday guys.

/\/\ Spoken and acted like a true professional - hope it works out well for both of you...

Raf.

From what I've read above, I've little doubt this will be resolved to your satisfaction asap. Posts from both sides have been informative, reasonable, civil, and -above all else- constructive. Both sides have done themselves credit with the way they've reacted, at least in my eyes.

Do keep us updated.

Good on WaveyRA for not being sh*ty to API and good on API for resolving the matter. Let us know the outcome!

Ben

Thanks to you all for your comments,

and thanks to Dave for finally getting intouch and letting me know. This is alot more acceptable than the comments I had beforte of "we haven't got to yours yet"

With regards to the inlet cam on the right hand bank on the opposite side to the damaged pulley, was making that noise noise from the very second it was started, before the pulley cracked and split itself.

in reply to your post earlier dave the pulley in question is in one of the boxes I sent you back with the car, and it remained attatched in the middle and then the outer edge seperated itself from the inner part of the wheel

As stated before my main grevence inthe end was to be told that my car wasn't started after a time I was told it would be done by, I can appreciate your busy and sometimes jobs can take longer than expected. Just would have been nice to have been told.

Anyhow enough of all that, thanks for getting back to me and hope to have the car back soon

Dave(waveyRA)

Hi Ben,

yes i do have the unfortunate pleasure of knowing bowley :cuckoo:

I believe your going to the hants meet on tuesday, I'll keep an eye out for you

Dave

Going back to the original question - Never had a problem with API in all my dealings with them (engine re-build, exchange gearbox, service parts). They are one supplier I can trust and will continue to use for any parts that I need for my car.

Dave.

The car has been delivered back to Dave.

Lets wait to see what the verdict is.

David APi Engines / APi Impreza

I have to guess that no news is good news!!

David APi Engines / APi Impreza

Hi Guys and gals,

sorry i've not posted on here sooner but been off work ill. Am glad to say and back to full health now and so is the scoob!!

Big thanks to Dave and staff at API for getting things sorted in the end for me. Am pleased to say the car is running smooth and quiet, and all with a nice shiny engine bay

THANKS guys !!

Although one thing, the CAT on fire warning light comes on after 5-10 mins on a short motorway trip, at or below 3500rpm as recomended, its so slow !! he he

but as soon as i peel off on a slip road stop at the junction the light goes back off and doesn't come on unless I go back on the motorway.

Any ideas, as we know the cat isn't on fire as its got a fully de-cated system ??


Regards

Glad to hear that we got you sorted. Thanks for the kind words.

The exhaust gas temp sensor wire might be shorting out somewhere under the car. They sort of becomne redundant after the full decat and usually just get tucked out of the way up by the chassis rails. That's where I'd be looking first.

David APi engines / APi Impreza