Fifer
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| posted on 21/5/04 at 02:55 PM |
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ESCORTRS Be warned !!!!
A word of warning for anyone intending using ESCORTRS. A company specialising in Mk1 and 2 escorts and offering Engine building !!!
I’ll keep this as short as possible.
I live near Aberdeen and Escortrs is some 500 miles from me.
I agreed the purchase of a 1600 Xflow engine and Bullit 4 speed box outright from Escortrs in Dec 2002 for my Locost kit car build as I had no donor
vehicle to get these items from, the deal included full rebuild of both and all ancillary items to give me a full engine and gearbox installation.
The spec was to be an engine in mild to high tune to give me around 130 bhp on twin 40’s. cost was £900.00 + carbs + specialist items from
Burtons at cost plus a mark up.
They could not source the carbs at a good price so I bought them new from Euro carb ( a very good service from them).
Delivery was to be early Jan 2003. This ended up being March / April 2003 and I had major problems with the clutch release bearing due to the clutch
they fitted and had to source and pay for the special parts from Burtons myself and mess around with the alternator and brackets to get them to fit
etc..
Anyhow, the engine and box was fitted to the car over 2003 and in Nov 2003 I ran the engine for the first time just to hear it going.
I spun the engine over before starting to prove oil was coming from the oil pressure sensor outlet on the oil gallery and it came flying out. I ran
the engine for some minutes and then shut it down.
Once the car was nearing completion in March 2004 and I had my dash board and all other ancillaries installed, I was ready to run the engine as
finished.
Started up, no oil pressure on gauge and oil pressure light stayed on !!
Stopped engine and slackened filter, cranked over, plenty oil flowing. Did same for oil pressure gallery outlet, plenty flow. ?????
Thought long and hard and decided that they must have left plug out of front of block behind timing case. Removed front end and found no plug fitted.
Fitted new plug and rebuilt, 60 psi pressure with oil cold.
Informed Escortrs of this problem by mail and tried by phone, no response.
Then, ran engine for around ten minutes prior to going on a 2 to 3 mile run to calibrate my electronic Speedo, things didn’t sound right.
Returned and was concerned about the top end engine noise and overheating slightly. Noticed that there was exhaust gas puffing from cylinder head
gasket (not exhaust manifold gasket).
Removed rocker cover to find tappet clearances that were at least a 16th of an inch and when removing Cyl head found that I could undo the bolts with
a 3/8 inch ratchet !!! Cylinder head gasket was blown between No 2 cylinder and the ouside of the head to block.
Eventually got hold of Dave at Escortrs and he advised that as the engine work was farmed out to a third party, he would get them to contact me direct
to discuss.
Now I full realise that it is around a year since I received the engine, and I pointed this out to Dave but felt that at least I deserved an apology
and “perhaps” a small compensation for my grief (and in my opinion, some compensation for the future troubles I am bound to
experience due to their poor rebuild) was in order.
Over a two week period and numerous telephone conversations, Dave still advised that he had talked with his engine builder and that he would get in
touch with me.
To date, this has not happened.
I believe Escortrs is responsible for this as I paid them for the work not the third party and I wanted to warn anyone considering using this company
of there very poor customer service and business ethics. I would be perusing them in court if I felt that I would get anywhere but realising that
there is a long period from delivery to these incidents I would be on a hiding to nothing as I can see from their response that they would simply deny
responsibility.
My engine is now running (OK) and with the carbs etc, it has set me back around £2k !!
Wish I had just gone to a reputable engine builder !!
BE WARNED
Steve Leslie
07899066623
[Edited on 22/5/04 by Fifer]
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Dave Ashurst
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| posted on 21/5/04 at 05:29 PM |
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Oh dear
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James
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| posted on 21/5/04 at 06:27 PM |
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Sorry to hear all that mate.
My only advice would be this:
If you don't get a resolution very soon get onto Trading Standards. In the mean time document all your dealings with EscortRS so you have a
paper record. Get dates and receipts etc. etc.
If you don't get what you want from EscortRS start mentioning Trading Standards and not long after that the small claims court.
TS have always been very helpful when my family have contacted them.
Have a look at their website and the 1976(?) sale of goods act to get some info.
Finding a witness of you buying the engine and not having run it till now might not be a bad idea too!
Hope that helps and you get it resolved soon,
James
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Fifer
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| posted on 22/5/04 at 12:48 PM |
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Just some clarifications on my post above.
The engine cost over 2k because I purchased carbs and othe items new elsewhere.
I have now had a response from Escortrs telling me to call the engine builder myself and he will discuss what course of action to take.
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James
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| posted on 22/5/04 at 04:10 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Fifer
I have now had a response from Escortrs telling me to call the engine builder myself and he will discuss what course of action to take.
So, if I buy a CD from HMV and it breaks I have to go to Sony Records to get it fixed/replaced do I?
Buuuuuullshit!
Tell EscortRS you paid them so *they* have to sort it out.
Good Luck,
James
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Muppet finder
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| posted on 22/5/04 at 08:18 PM |
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“So, if I buy a CD from HMV and it breaks I have to go to Sony Records to get it fixed/replaced do I? “
Buuuuuullshit! - James you seem to talk a lot of it…..
If you break a CD, then it’s down to you. As are a lot of things, your advising people to act upon issues that you have no details and offering
advise as if you actually know what you are talking about.
Reading this forum is quite amusing, in the sense that we know nothing of this company called escortrs?!?!? and that they have not been contacted by
any member of this forum to inform them that they are being judged by a team of critics who know nothing about engine rebuilding nor much else, comes
to think of it….
I have run a successful business within the rallying industry for about 15 years and have come across this type of open discussion before, where a
person or customer feels they have been either let down, or sold goods that are not to there liking. Unfortunately, there is always 2 sides to every
story “hence my original quote”, why has nobody invited this company to come forward and defend themselves???????
After all, this is what a forum is about, not slagging the organisation off and then contacting Trading Standards, to see what they can get back in
way of compensation.
A question to Steve – I see that you have stated after the original forum, that the 2K on the engine rebuild was not al of this company’s costs, but
made up of a total of different items that you purchased elsewhere, why did you make that amendment??
For information, if I were building a 1600 Cross Flow engine to Rally spec, you’d be looking to spend in excess of £12,000 (yes – twelve, thousand
pounds) and they sometimes go wring – “Hey shi* happens”
Not wanting to spoil this forum, lets get the whole picture, lets ask this company to respond and let’s hear what Steve has to say, using the web for
what it is supposed to be for, and that is good things not back stabbing down dark alley’s.
So who is going to invite them in?
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flak monkey
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| posted on 22/5/04 at 09:12 PM |
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Fifer, good luck in getting it sorted out....  if they themselves refuse to help then write them off as a company you wont deal with again. Try to
find out who they contracted their work out to. You may get some joy from them. Though they dont seem to be very keen to speak to you about your
problems.
Best of luck fifer
[Edited on 23/5/04 by flak monkey]
Sera
http://www.motosera.com
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James
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| posted on 23/5/04 at 02:12 AM |
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I wrote a long response to this but I've decided to hold forth as I don't want to inflame things in such a way they may jeopardise Fifer
getting things sorted out to his satisfaction.
Atb,
James
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gazza285
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| posted on 23/5/04 at 09:21 AM |
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I have used EscortRS during the rebuild of my Mk 1 Mexico and have had no problems with them at all.
I'm not sure that these forums are the places to be airing unresolved issues.
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Noodle
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| posted on 23/5/04 at 09:31 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Muppet finder....using the web for what it is supposed to be for...
We don't have pornography on this forum 
Neil.
Your sort make me sick
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Spyderman
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| posted on 23/5/04 at 03:34 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Muppet finder
Reading this forum is quite amusing, in the sense that we know nothing of this company called escortrs?!?!? and that they have not been contacted by
any member of this forum to inform them that they are being judged by a team of critics who know nothing about engine rebuilding nor much else, comes
to think of it….
I have run a successful business within the rallying industry for about 15 years and have come across this type of open discussion before, where a
person or customer feels they have been either let down, or sold goods that are not to there liking.
Such a lovely way to introduce yourself and make new friends!
What do you know about the qualifications of the members here?
Just because someone asks a question does not make them an idiot!
And as far as I know this is still a free country, and we are allowed to discuss what we like with or without your approval!
I notice you never mention the name of your company. Is it a secret or perhaps related to the above mentioned company?
I'm sure you would be most welcome to air your impressions, but alienating everyone first is not a very wise move!
To correct you further this thread was started as a warning by one member who has had a bad experience. He is pefectly entitled to do this.
If others then want to offer advice or to counter his dealings is all part of the free speech we enjoy.
We don't have to ask the company to respond at all! If the original poster was asking for a response from them(/you?), I'm sure he would
have done so. In fact I don't think there was a question in there at all!
I suspect it is you that wants the whole picture, so speak out if you have a vested interest.
Advice is always welcomed, criticism seldom! How you word things can make a big difference between it being one or the other.
Terry
Spyderman
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Fifer
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| posted on 23/5/04 at 09:18 PM |
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I only just got on line again. Wow, you guys really got into it !!
Muppet, the reason I added the comment on the costs was that I had a comment from a member (by phone) who thouyght it looked like I was saying the
cost went from 900 to 2k from Escortrs which was not the case if yopu read the post. Just wanted to be fair.
Your comment on inviting Escortrs to join in the forum, well, I dont think so.
I have, strangely, had a call from Escortrs, seems they are p**sed off. Got them to call though !
The third party engine guy was meant to call me but didnt.
I have his number now and will call him Monday to see what he says.
As far as my expressing my experiences on this site, I stand by what I wrote. It is the absolute truth and could have been avoided with some very
simple old fasioned customer service.
By the way, I used to work on 30000 yes, 30000 bhp diesels, cost ? around 2.5 million pounds ! Glad inever screwed up building one of them !!
On your Xflow rally engines, I'm sure you could spend 12k on one, but I'll tell you what, if you built one for me and I paid you 12k for
it, and you ommited to fit the plug in the gallery, I'd not be a happy bunny.
As a matter of interest, what sort of spec is that on a Xflow ? What sort of power output ? Is that using Burtons Alloy block etc ??
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Fifer
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| posted on 24/5/04 at 09:53 AM |
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For anyone interested, I contacted the engine builder today and the following was the response.
He didnt call me because "the paper copies of my mails to Escortrs blew away out of a car that they were in"
He was told by Escortrs that I had run the car on the road with no oil pressure. (not the case, see my detailed story above)
He sugested that the engine should have been returned to him at the point the first issue (oil plug missing) was discovered. This in my opinion would
have been the right thing for them to offer but did not happen.
As retuning the engine now would be logistically and financially a nightmare, he suggested that I return the cyl head to him for rework at his expence
with the carraige being born by Escortrs. this is a fairly reasonable offer, but a bit late now. i have my SVA on 4th June and frankly, I am a bit
sceptical about returning it to them.
There was no offer of compensation for my costs to date made.
I will now advise Escortrs of the engine builders offer and await their response as to waht I should do.
(Amazing what a couple of internet site posts can do)
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Fifer
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| posted on 24/5/04 at 10:09 AM |
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Just read all the posts again on this thread in detail and it kind of got my back up. Most of you were very supportive on my story and received some
abuse for doing so, which I am not happy about.
So, I felt the need to add the following.
I have been a member of this forum for some time now and have always enjoyed the informative side to it and the banter side of it.
I feel it has all the right sections in it and the "anything else" section is always good for a laugh and has plenty of inforamation
also.
It is a place in my opinion to air "ANYTHING ELSE" and thats what I use it for.
If anyone has an issue with my post, please use the telephone number in my first post above (thats why I put it there) to call me and to get, first
hand, all of the details involved in my issue.
it would seem that you (muppet) have an issue with the post and I would be glad for you to call or e-mail me to discuss the issue in detail.
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Spyderman
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| posted on 24/5/04 at 12:33 PM |
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Fifer. Good of you to let us know how it is going and that it is at least going in the right direction.
I would take issue with one comment though! That is about muppet contacting you directly.
He has made generalised comments about most of the members here and needs to either prove his point or back down.
Had he been a contibuting member for some time then his comments may have been taken in a different light.
Good luck with your SVA test and keep us informed.
Spyderman
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JoelP
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| posted on 24/5/04 at 12:58 PM |
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its quite satisfying that we can call muppet muppet without intentionally taking the piss, cos he does seem to be one.
quote:
Originally posted by Muppet finder
If you break a CD, then it’s down to you.
you ignorant fool muppet. Clearly the correct analogy, which James was obviously pointing to, would be if you bought the CD and it had no music on it.
Quite blatently you would then get a refund from the music store, not sony. So why pick fault with the technicalities of the analogy when in reality
James is quite correct, Muppet?
Obviously if stuff breaks after purchase then that is a slightly different matter, isnt it Muppet?
Good day muppet, hope you get bollock rot for your display of ignorance.
Beware! Bourettes is binfectious.
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Peteff
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| posted on 24/5/04 at 01:32 PM |
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If you break a CD, then it’s down to you
Yes but if you return it to the manufacturer they should replace it for the cost of the media as you have paid for the right to use the music forever.
Therefore this is a faulty analogy but the principle is correct as the supplier is the first line of contact and if the item was faulty would have
accepted responsibility for it under the sale of goods act. If I buy a recon engine am I supposed to dismantle it to check it's alright before I
use it ?. I don't think so. It was lucky Steve noticed there was no oil pressure or it would have been one seized engine going back. To have the
head problem after and still put up with it was beyond the call in my opinion. They would have been arranging transport back for it if it had been
mine.
[Edited on 24/5/04 by Peteff]
yours, Pete
I went into the RSPCA office the other day. It was so small you could hardly swing a cat in there.
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scoobyis2cool
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| posted on 25/5/04 at 01:05 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Muppet finderyou’d be looking to spend in excess of £12,000 and they sometimes go wrong – “Hey shi*
happens"
I don't think I'd be too chuffed if my £12,000 engine broke and the supplier told me "hey, sh*t happens"!
Good luck getting this sorted, hope you can have it on the road soon and without too much more expense!
Pete
It's not that I'm lazy, it's that I just don't care...
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Mr G
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| posted on 26/5/04 at 10:48 AM |
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G
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