U S Automotive Machine & Performance

Revdex.com: I have reviewed the response made by the business, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me I want to thank US Automotive and Performance for re-doing the valve job on my [redacted] headsIt passed a leak-down test this time and the engine started right up and is still running I will consider this issue closed once I receive reimbursement Regards, [redacted]

Complaint: ***
I am rejecting this response because:
The statements from *** *** are FALSE
I brought the heads in back in because they did not sealI proved this with compression tests, cylinder leak-down test, and the port solvent testThe heads were from a running engine and the valves used to sealAfter they "machined" them, they leaked so bad the engine would not runI have forms of proof and a witnessI would not have brought the heads back in just because carbon was left in the egr passagesI would have never known itThe only reason I knew it is because I had to disassemble the engine to fix the leaking valves
When I brought the heads back in and showed ***, he said they would go through them competently and make sure they were rightThis was witnessed by automotive machinist I brought with me
I don't care if they say they did a leak down testThey leaked, periodThe valves used to seal on these heads, from a running engine, when I got them back they leaked so bad it would not start
I brought the EGR and manifold because they asked me because they were looking for something to blame the carbon onEvery machinist knows one must remove the carbon from egr passages in the head or they will pass through the engine when it's started
They did NOT find abrasives in the intake manifold that apparently got in there the first timeEverybody knows that carbon particles come from the egr passages
"After cleaning the block and heads"? they did not clean the block the second time I brought it in*** stated he just wiped them out with a ragThat does not clean out embedded carbon particles in to the crosshatch of the cylinder wallsI had to do thatIt was very difficult to remove and maintain the crosshatch
I don't know where they dreamed up I had surgeryI did notThat is completely fabricated
After I brought the parts back in, and a week had passed, I called them, with my lawyer*** stated he might get around to looking at the parts the end of next weekThis statement was witnessed by my lawyer
The statement I assembled it myself to save money is falseI do it because I enjoy itIt is enjoyable with a competent machine shop that does quality work
I HAVE asked around and automotive machine shops are still are responsible for doing accurate, quality workI anyone brings in heads that used to seal and they botch the job so bad they leak to the point the engine won't start, they are responsibleThe customer assembling their own engine is not an excuse to get away with poor quality work
I did not respond until now because I just now have miles on this engine and just now feel the rings are sealing
FAILURE 1- Botched the valve job so bad the heads would not hold compressionto 95% leakage in the valves
FAILURE 2- Not cleaning or ensuring the EGR passages were cleanCarbon passed into my new engine while trying to start it
FAILURE 3- Poor customer service consisting of delays, making excuses, and trying to put the blame elsewhereNo effort made to properly clean the cylinder walls from carbon they left in the heads
FAILURE 4- Fabricating their Revdex.com response full of mis-truths and erroneous information
I will gladly bring witnesses, an automotive machinist expert, and my lawyer into this to reach resolution
Regards,
*** ***

In response to Mark's complaint, he is stating that we did not do the machine work correctly.        At no time did we say that we did not do our work right for him.  His complaint is concerning abrasives and that they...

were not removed.      His heads were cleaned with a high pressure washer.     After we do a valve job, we always do a leak down to make sure that the valves seal, as was in this case.      The first time the customer did not bring the complete engine in, just the heads and block.    When he did have a problem we asked him to come in and we would check it out.     When the customer brought it in to be checked out he brought
the EGR and manifold ( which were not part of the 1st job).      We found some abrasions in both the EGR and manifold, which apparently got in the engine the first time.      We offered to clean them.     After cleaning the block and heads we retested with another leak down and it all tested fine.    The only way to clean the block after machining is done is to wipe with a clean cloth (rag).       The bent bolt was possible due to droppings or something else, by the customer or us, and we did replace it.     The time frame was longer than normal because the customer was having surgery done and we were busy also.    All gaskets were not
replaced because some were reusable.    We are sorry for any inconvenience he has had, but when a customer assembles the engine themselves, to save money, they assume all responsibility, and you can check with any shop around.     The car has been running for almost a year and we have not heard anything further from him since the last time he was in, so we assumed that things were fine, so we have no way of knowing what may or may not have happened.    Under these circumstances we feel we don't owe him anything.
Thank you,   [redacted]

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
I want to thank US Automotive and Performance for re-doing the valve job on my [redacted] heads. It passed a leak-down test this time and the engine started right up and is still running.
I will consider this issue closed once I receive reimbursement.
Regards,
[redacted]

Regardless of whether the customer assembles the motor himself for enjoyment or saving of money, the facts remain as stated before where we
stand by our work and when the parts left they were clean and a leak down was done.    The heads did not leak when they left our business.    Once
again the customer assumes all responsibility when he chooses to assemble the motor, check tolerances, and cleaning before assembly.   U.S. Automotive Machine and [redacted] are very respected and he is known for his excellent work.     [redacted] has done countless [redacted] valve jobs
and there have not been any problems.     The cost of a [redacted] valve job is $420 and we will reimburse him that amount.    Thank You