Viewing feedback for: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Last Visited: May 09, 2023 |
Author |
Message |
poky69 Samba Member
Joined: March 21, 2006 Posts: 10
|
Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 7:25 pm Post subject: MOFOCO - [email protected] |
|
|
This is to warn those people looking into purchasing a new or rebuilt engine. DO NOT buy from Mofoco. I made that mistake and would like to help other people avoid that mistake. A list of problems with my "new" engine after only 2000 miles:
1)End Play way out of spec (.015 ), there where only two shims so the one burned down very quickly.
2)Spark Plugs blew out of head while driving, they popped right out ripping the threads with them, there was even an insert in the one, a sign of a poor rebuild.
3)Bad front main seal
4)Vavle adjustment screws worn off, no apparent reason for this, just more bad parts
5)Rebuilt crank (supposed to be brand new; can anyone say "false advertising?")
Check the better business bureau, I'm not the only one with complaints.
I hope this saves people from having to mess with these low quality engines from a bad company (with terrible customer service after the sale). Good Luck! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
oc63rag Samba Member
Joined: June 03, 2003 Posts: 2625 Location: Huntington Beach, CA
|
Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 8:00 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Sorry to hear about the problems - that sucks. Was it sold as new or rebuilt? Did they specify what parts were new/rebuilt? Have you contacted them about the problems? _________________ Designed for four soldiers and a machine gun...also for family use.
My food baby is crowning. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
poky69 Samba Member
Joined: March 21, 2006 Posts: 10
|
Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 9:17 pm Post subject: |
|
|
It was sold as a new engine, we ok'ed the rebuilt heads, but never the crank, and yes I called a few times, but they wouldn't do anything and were very rude and demeaning. Actually, with customer service like that I was shocked they were still in business. I'm not trying to knock them but nobody should have to go through what I did. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Ace Samba Member
Joined: July 07, 2003 Posts: 1903
|
Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 9:41 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Just a little input for your experience. Always get new heads. They are cheap. As for that crankshaft, I'd take a 10 over turned german crank over a new cast one.
The end play is purely a workmanship issue. The leaky seal was probably related to that. Hopefully Roy will stand behind his shop's work. Do you have the description and any warranty info for what you bought? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
poky69 Samba Member
Joined: March 21, 2006 Posts: 10
|
Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 9:43 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I was hoping he would, too. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Gary Person of Interest
Joined: November 01, 2002 Posts: 17069 Location: 127.0.0.1
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
[email protected] Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2002 Posts: 4394 Location: Brew City
|
Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 7:46 am Post subject: Re: Warning to engine buyers - MOFOCO |
|
|
poky69 wrote: |
This is to warn those people looking into purchasing a new or rebuilt engine. DO NOT buy from Mofoco. I made that mistake and would like to help other people avoid that mistake. A list of problems with my "new" engine after only 2000 miles:
1)End Play way out of spec (.015 ), there where only two shims so the one burned down very quickly.
2)Spark Plugs blew out of head while driving, they popped right out ripping the threads with them, there was even an insert in the one, a sign of a poor rebuild.
3)Bad front main seal
4)Vavle adjustment screws worn off, no apparent reason for this, just more bad parts
5)Rebuilt crank (supposed to be brand new; can anyone say "false advertising?")
Check the better business bureau, I'm not the only one with complaints.
I hope this saves people from having to mess with these low quality engines from a bad company (with terrible customer service after the sale). Good Luck! |
Ok, everyone ready? Here goes........
1) We sold this longblock over 13 months ago(our warranty is for defective parts only 12 months from purchase)
2) Customer said that he checked the endplay when he recieved the engine and it was perfect..........over 13 months later it is .015
3)Spark plugs blow out of heads because of overheating and/or not having them tightened down enough.
4) Bad front main seal? After 13 months of use?
5) Valve adjustment screws wore off? Ok, here is the story on valve adjustment screws in the VW industry. Brazilian screws are garbage, I will not use them. American made laser hardened tipped screws are the best, unfortunately they are not made anymore. Now I use new German, when available, or good used German, when they are not. I have good used German on my own car and have no problems, plus I've used 1000's on engine and also never had a problem.
6) Yes, I am now using std/std and 10/10 German forged cranks instead of new cast Brazilian cranks for a couple of different reasons. First, German forged is stronger than Brazil cast any day of the week. Second, I figured out that most of the time when a Brazil cast crank spins a bearing or burns out a journal, the crank is now garbage; a German crank can be ground up to three more times. Three, if anyone thinks that I do this because it's "cheaper", talk to any machinist; it's actually cheaper just to buy the inferior Brazil crank.
Now, everyone on this forum has seen the lengths I have gone to help customers here.......taking things back and fixing them for free months/years after the warranty has run out, I have taken the brunt of many, many things that had nothing to do with me and still stood firm and helped to fix anything that I could. I will not do it this time and here is why. This customer straight out lied to me to try and get something for free. When I first spoke to him, he started out the conversation with the end play issue. After 20-30 minutes of talking, he finally admitted that the end play was perfect when he got the engine(he said he checked it) and now it's .015 after over a year of use. So that is why I am skeptical about everything else that he says because he started out with a lie. Here is a word to the wise for anyone that has any issue with any engine from any engine builder.........always be honest!!!! Engine builders do this for a living, we have built 100's of engines. We know what happens when certain things are done to an engine and what the effects are. Now, if said customer would have called me up and started out with....."I think I might have messed something up but I'm not sure, I know the engine is out of warranty but Roy, can you help me?" My answer would have been a resounding "YES, YES, YES, YES!!!! What can I do to help you get back on the road?" Oh, also, swearing at me on the phone and telling me what a piece of sh!t I am, that my company is sh!t and that all my products are sh!t will not get me to help you. That was actually the last straw, I will no longer even take phone calls from this customer. So that's it. I will also not get pulled into arguing back and forth on this forum about this issue. I have said everything that I want to say; everyone here knows that if I had even an ounce of doubt, I would just take it back an fix it; but I will not take back an out of warranty engine from a customer that lies to me. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Miichael Samba Member
Joined: February 15, 2007 Posts: 188 Location: McMinnville Oregon
|
Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 8:41 am Post subject: |
|
|
13 months is plenty of time to mess up an engine if you dont know what the sam hill you are doing......
good to hear the other side of the story
I would still buy from you.. but thats monstly cause i like the name of your company _________________ From RAMVA to TheSamba....... |
|
Back to top |
|
|
oc63rag Samba Member
Joined: June 03, 2003 Posts: 2625 Location: Huntington Beach, CA
|
Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 8:57 am Post subject: |
|
|
Poky69, if it happened as Roy stated above it sounds like you owe him an apology. _________________ Designed for four soldiers and a machine gun...also for family use.
My food baby is crowning. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
keifernet Samba Search & Rescue
Joined: May 11, 2002 Posts: 19395 Location: Samba Center for Behavioral Science
|
Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 9:57 am Post subject: |
|
|
Miichael wrote: |
13 months is plenty of time to mess up an engine if you dont know what the sam hill you are doing......good to hear the other side of the story
I would still buy from you.. but thats monstly cause i like the name of your company |
I've seen people destroy well built engines in far less time than that...
I think it's evident that Roy has done a helluva lot to repair the reputation of MOFOCO, alot of which damage was done before he had the job? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
poky69 Samba Member
Joined: March 21, 2006 Posts: 10
|
Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 11:27 am Post subject: |
|
|
Here's the point, I did not use the engine for a year, only three weeks before this it sat properly stored in the garage, it only has 2000 miles on it and all these problems, yes it had good endplay when I got it, but a bad rebuild with only two shims changes it fast. I never once lied to Roy, and I'm not even trying to hurt him, just trying to prevent others from getting hurt, because this was shockingly low quality work. _________________ 1970 Beetle-Should be done.
1969 Westy-Can't restore, too busy camping
"Beating your brains out is not a disease, nor is it curable." -Dr. J |
|
Back to top |
|
|
keifernet Samba Search & Rescue
Joined: May 11, 2002 Posts: 19395 Location: Samba Center for Behavioral Science
|
Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 1:34 pm Post subject: |
|
|
poky69 wrote: |
Here's the point, I did not use the engine for a year, only three weeks before this it sat properly stored in the garage, it only has 2000 miles on it and all these problems, yes it had good endplay when I got it, but a bad rebuild with only two shims changes it fast. I never once lied to Roy, and I'm not even trying to hurt him, just trying to prevent others from getting hurt, because this was shockingly low quality work. |
Did you ever contact Roy about this before posting here? Do you have a string of e-mails documenting any correspondence? Did you give him any chance to make good on this or help you in any way before coming here to start this thread?
Did you do any valve adjustments etc to the engine during the "3 weeks/2,000 miles"? What vehicle is this engine in and how it is driven by YOU?
A big part of any "warranty" IMHO falls on the purhcaser/owner and mechanic who works on/maintian's any engine...not just the builder. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
FASTBACKDON The other insensitive jerk like Neil
Joined: October 08, 2004 Posts: 3592 Location: TORRANCE CALIF
|
Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 5:19 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Here's the point, I did not use the engine for a year, only three weeks before this it sat properly stored in the garage, it only has 2000 miles on it and all these problems
WOW 2000 Miles in 3 weeks? am I reading this correctly?
Did you do the 500 mile break in properly? or just jump on it everytime to drove it? _________________ FUCK CANCER FUCK CANCER FUCK CANCER!!
Mom 25 months of standing up to Cancer R.I.P I miss you so much.
Buy my best friends stuff
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/search.php?username=56TIMOTEO
(21:10:42) Jennepher: Russell is our proudest achievment. I feel like Samba created him from a little nugget of crap into a full blown adult. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
OTO X58 Samba Member
Joined: March 27, 2004 Posts: 3101 Location: Santa Cruz, CA
|
Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 5:51 pm Post subject: |
|
|
poky69 wrote: |
.....yes it had good endplay when I got it, but a bad rebuild with only two shims changes it fast. |
It's perfectly fine to use only two shims. The point is that the shims have to give you the proper endplay. the smallest shim is a 10, so if you need less than 30 in the shims, you are going to have to use only two.
I have a feeling you are over-reacting. The 2 shims does not indicate a rushed or poor rebuild. _________________ -Thomas
RIP HBB 10.10.84 - 12.25.09
1958 Ragtop Bug Build - Subaru Swap!
1957 Gazelle Beige Ghia FOR SALE
1957 Dove Blue Kombi field find |
|
Back to top |
|
|
FASTBACKDON The other insensitive jerk like Neil
Joined: October 08, 2004 Posts: 3592 Location: TORRANCE CALIF
|
Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 5:53 pm Post subject: |
|
|
roachghia70 wrote: |
poky69 wrote: |
.....yes it had good endplay when I got it, but a bad rebuild with only two shims changes it fast. |
It's perfectly fine to use only two shims. The point is that the shims have to give you the proper endplay. the smallest shim is a 10, so if you need less than 30 in the shims, you are going to have to use only two.
I have a feeling you are over-reacting. The 2 shims does not indicate a rushed or poor rebuild. |
Thank You Roach _________________ FUCK CANCER FUCK CANCER FUCK CANCER!!
Mom 25 months of standing up to Cancer R.I.P I miss you so much.
Buy my best friends stuff
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/search.php?username=56TIMOTEO
(21:10:42) Jennepher: Russell is our proudest achievment. I feel like Samba created him from a little nugget of crap into a full blown adult. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
iowegian Samba Curmudgeon
Joined: February 16, 2005 Posts: 9826 Location: Somewhere between Dubuque and Keokuk
|
Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 6:42 pm Post subject: Re: Warning to engine buyers - MOFOCO |
|
|
[email protected] wrote: |
.....swearing at me on the phone and telling me what a piece of sh!t I am, that my company is sh!t and that all my products are sh!t will not get me to help you. That was actually the last straw, I will no longer even take phone calls from this customer. So that's it. I will also not get pulled into arguing back and forth on this forum about this issue. I have said everything that I want to say.... |
It sounds to me that "Poky" tried to be the tough guy, and it didn't work.
If Roy is anything like his father, Randy, that is totally the wrong approach. In my dealings with Mofoco, they have been reasonable
if they are working with a reasonable customer.
Good for you, Roy Mofoco. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
poky69 Samba Member
Joined: March 21, 2006 Posts: 10
|
Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 8:24 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Yes I know how to drive and do valve adjustments and all the break in stuff and I did them. I am a professional mechanic. Also, fyi using two shims does not allow them spin slowly so they wear off, which is what happened, one was rubbed down past any size offered. I work with a VW mechanic of 35 years, and all he seen was shoddy work and bad parts. I'm not going to argue its against Samba rules. This post was a WARNING, with two mechanics backing it up. You don't have to take my word for it, check with the Better Business Bureau. So take it for what its worth, I have to go rebuild an engine-properly. _________________ 1970 Beetle-Should be done.
1969 Westy-Can't restore, too busy camping
"Beating your brains out is not a disease, nor is it curable." -Dr. J |
|
Back to top |
|
|
FASTBACKDON The other insensitive jerk like Neil
Joined: October 08, 2004 Posts: 3592 Location: TORRANCE CALIF
|
Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 8:37 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Quote: |
I am a professional mechanic. |
Ok just curious why did you not build your own then. I am not trying to bust your chops. I am building my 1st motor soon a 2 liter. I have never built one before. Why could you not do the same? _________________ FUCK CANCER FUCK CANCER FUCK CANCER!!
Mom 25 months of standing up to Cancer R.I.P I miss you so much.
Buy my best friends stuff
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/search.php?username=56TIMOTEO
(21:10:42) Jennepher: Russell is our proudest achievment. I feel like Samba created him from a little nugget of crap into a full blown adult.
Last edited by FASTBACKDON on Fri Apr 06, 2007 11:46 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Hotrodvw Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2004 Posts: 6327 Location: Orygun
|
Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 9:20 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Maybe you should show us what the Better Business Bureau has to say. Back up what you're saying here..... _________________ '67 Sunroof
Eric
78x94 with IDA's....oober fun
Horsepower is an addiction........Addictions cost
lots of money!
Hose & Fittings |
|
Back to top |
|
|
bugnut68 Samba Member
Joined: June 10, 2003 Posts: 4180 Location: Eugene, OR
|
Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 9:27 pm Post subject: |
|
|
roachghia70 wrote: |
poky69 wrote: |
.....yes it had good endplay when I got it, but a bad rebuild with only two shims changes it fast. |
It's perfectly fine to use only two shims. The point is that the shims have to give you the proper endplay. the smallest shim is a 10, so if you need less than 30 in the shims, you are going to have to use only two.
I have a feeling you are over-reacting. The 2 shims does not indicate a rushed or poor rebuild. |
If two shims are acceptable, then why is the general mantra three shims? Not to threadjack this topic, but I had an engine purchased from a local shop in my old hometown a number of years ago; similar situation, two shims, and I didn't realize how poorly bult the engine was until it was too late. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|