BUYER BEWARE
#1
01-21-2008, 08:49 PM
BUYER BEWARE
Im not sure if this is the best location for this thread, but hers my situation:
If your looking to purchase a remanufactured Duramax diesel what out for these guys (International Diesel out of New York).
DATE: 01/21/08
SUMMARY
1/04/07 Purchased Remanufactured Long Block 6.6L Duramax LB7 motor From International Diesel for a total amount of $4395.00.
1/11/07 Lake Chevrolet received engine from Roadway Transport. Engine was damaged during freight.
1/16/07 Date is Approx. Engine was picked up and sent back to International Diesel.
Approx date of engine shipped back to Lake Chevrolet 2/9/07.
2/21/07 Completion of engine installation at a cost of $5906.00
After the installation I noticed a noise that to me didn’t sound right. It would come and go. In speaking with a couple of chevy dealerships I was told the noise was normal for a Duramax. I ignored it for a while but it was progressively getting worse.
5/25/07 Took the truck to Rancho Motors in Victorville.
5/30/07 I received the truck back, they indicated there is a problem but wouldn’t work on it since the engine had been purchased through International Diesel. Cost of Diagnosis $195.50
5/30/07 I called International Diesel and explained the problem. I asked them who their authorized representative was for warranty work out here in California. They sent me to Diesel Tune in Downey.
6/04/07 Diesel tune looked at the engine and the symptoms indicated the valves were out of adjustment. International Diesels Warrant policy is that they cover all parts but not labor. Diesel Tune diagnosed and adjusted the valves at a cost to me of $1700.00.
The truck ran great for a few days then the noise came back.
6/25/07 Brought truck back to Diesel Tune. In further diagnosis by tearing down the top end of the engine Diesel Tune discovered that two retainers that hold the lifters in place were broken causing the lifters to turn in the bore making the valves seem out of adjustment. As a result it appeared there could be further internal damage to the engine. Diesel Tune called International Diesel and requested a new engine to be sent. Because International Diesel wouldn’t warranty the labor it was going to cost me an additional $4100.00 approx. for the installation of the engine again.
8/05/07 Approx date. It took nearly a month for International Diesel to send another Long Block. Diesel Tune started working on the engine. Assembled the of the external parts and just before getting ready to install the motor noticed the head gaskets had been put on backwards. A mistake made by International Diesel. Diesel Tune then had to tear down the motor and request new head gaskets and head bolts from International Diesel . this delay took a number of weeks. Upon receiving the parts Diesel Tune assemble the engine installed it in the truck. They started the engine and it sounded good. Upon closer testing they found there was no oil pressure. After spending a couple of days diagnosing the problem it was determined to be an internal problem inside the block. Again International Diesel was notified.
10/10/07 Approx Date. Diesel tune as well as myself was told by International Diesel that as a result of all the problems they were going to send out a brand new drop in motor from GM, complete and ready to install, including the injectors, injection pump, and turbo. As frustrated as I was I was happy to hear that, the value of a brand new complete motor was very justifiable.
11/30/07 The engine arrived. It was not brand new and did not have the turbo. It was then explained to me that what they do is take the engine out of a frame that had been damaged during production at the plant and that there was only about 15hrs on the motor. This is not what was said previously. Diesel Tune had all ready installed the engine before I found out it had been delivered. At this point I just wanted the truck running. They were almost done with the installation when as they were bolting up the torque converter the engine locked up. Once again Diesel Tune began tearing down the motor to see if they can find the problem.
12/06/07 Diesel Tune to date has removed the front cover, the transmission, the oil pan underneath and could find nothing causing the problem. They are now in the process of removing the engine from the truck once again and will tear down the top end of this motor. If they do find the problem I anticipate more delays as a result of waiting for parts or possibly even another engine.
12/10/07 Diesel tune completed removal of engine. Removed the left head and found broken pieces of aluminum inside the cylinder. The aluminum seem to be from an outside source un related to the engine. After further inspection Diesel Tune determined the engine was undamaged by the debris.
12/11/07 In an effort to expedite getting the engine reassembled I went and got the parts needed to put the engine back together myself (Richard Hibbard invoice). I received the parts on 12/14/07 and delivered them the same day to Diesel Tune.
12/17/07 Diesel Tune did not work on my truck. I was told his mechanic called in sick and he had to work it in with other jobs that were in progress. I was told it wouldn’t be ready until after the holidays.
12/26/07 I spoke with Consumer Affairs (BAR) regarding a complaint I filed some weeks ago. They finally got back to me. I was told they had no jurisdiction outside of California. They did however get Diesel Tune to commit to completing my truck by Friday 12/28/07.
12/27/07 No Info at this time
12/28/07 I spoke with Mike at Diesel Tune 11:00 a.m. He said the truck is running but has an oil leak. They are looking into where it is. Probably will not have the truck back once again before the Holiday weekend.
01/03/08 Got the truck back and seems to be running fine. Attached with the truck was a $14000.00 bill.
01/04/08 Even though I was sent to Diesel tune as International Diesels authorized warranty representative. I was billed for all the work Diesel Tune performed on the defective motors even though the truck never made it out of the shop.
01/07/08 Approx Date Contacted Diesel Tune. Low coolant light had come on. I changed the plastic coolant tank because we felt the sensor may have gone bad. It seemed to work.
01/10/08 Coolant is leaking somewhere towards the back of the engine on the left side, also noticed an oil leak from the same side. Cooling system has also started to hold pressure in reservoir tank which seems excessive to me. I have not yet had time to have it diagnosed. Usually this means a blown head gasket or leaking injector sleeves.
At this time I am in exactly the same place I was in back on 01/04/07 only out a huge amount of money.
Engine $4395.00
Initial Labor $5906.96
Rancho Motors $ 195.50
Richard Hibbard $ 251.90
Diesel Tune $1700.00 (1st diagnosis and valve adjustment)
SUBTOTAL $12448.40
(Installation Labor 2nd time) has not been paid yet (initial estimate was $4100.00)
Total Bill $13938.39
Engine is no closer to being complete than when it first arrived
SUBTOTAL Unknown at this time
Initial Rental Car
Enterprise $2900.00
Enterprise $ 800.00
SUBTOTAL $3700.00
Lost Revenue
Lost rental on JD320 130 working days to date at $225.00 per day $29250.00
Lost Rental Husky 750 approx 29 days based on previous years average $ 3190.00
Move in/out approx 38 days based on previous years average $ 3800.00
SUBTOTAL $36240.00
TOTAL MONETARY LOSSES $66326.79
Lost customer base - undetermined at this time
Had to cancel Camping vacation with kids – had no truck to tow trailer
Couldn’t afford a rental car averaging $1000.00 per month. Decided to purchase an economy car for my wife to drive so that I could use our expedition which is getting beat up and acquiring a lot of miles.
I am at a complete loss at this time. When I brought the truck in it at least ran now I cannot drive it at all. I have also lost $1000.00 worth of tools from theft as a result of the truck sitting there so long.
The truck as of now has a damaged right rear fender. No mention of has been made to me.
At this time I do not feel I should be liable for any costs relating to the repair of this vehicle.
International Diesel has been unresponsive to any of my requests to handle the problem.
They should not be allowed to do business.
If your looking to purchase a remanufactured Duramax diesel what out for these guys (International Diesel out of New York).
DATE: 01/21/08
SUMMARY
1/04/07 Purchased Remanufactured Long Block 6.6L Duramax LB7 motor From International Diesel for a total amount of $4395.00.
1/11/07 Lake Chevrolet received engine from Roadway Transport. Engine was damaged during freight.
1/16/07 Date is Approx. Engine was picked up and sent back to International Diesel.
Approx date of engine shipped back to Lake Chevrolet 2/9/07.
2/21/07 Completion of engine installation at a cost of $5906.00
After the installation I noticed a noise that to me didn’t sound right. It would come and go. In speaking with a couple of chevy dealerships I was told the noise was normal for a Duramax. I ignored it for a while but it was progressively getting worse.
5/25/07 Took the truck to Rancho Motors in Victorville.
5/30/07 I received the truck back, they indicated there is a problem but wouldn’t work on it since the engine had been purchased through International Diesel. Cost of Diagnosis $195.50
5/30/07 I called International Diesel and explained the problem. I asked them who their authorized representative was for warranty work out here in California. They sent me to Diesel Tune in Downey.
6/04/07 Diesel tune looked at the engine and the symptoms indicated the valves were out of adjustment. International Diesels Warrant policy is that they cover all parts but not labor. Diesel Tune diagnosed and adjusted the valves at a cost to me of $1700.00.
The truck ran great for a few days then the noise came back.
6/25/07 Brought truck back to Diesel Tune. In further diagnosis by tearing down the top end of the engine Diesel Tune discovered that two retainers that hold the lifters in place were broken causing the lifters to turn in the bore making the valves seem out of adjustment. As a result it appeared there could be further internal damage to the engine. Diesel Tune called International Diesel and requested a new engine to be sent. Because International Diesel wouldn’t warranty the labor it was going to cost me an additional $4100.00 approx. for the installation of the engine again.
8/05/07 Approx date. It took nearly a month for International Diesel to send another Long Block. Diesel Tune started working on the engine. Assembled the of the external parts and just before getting ready to install the motor noticed the head gaskets had been put on backwards. A mistake made by International Diesel. Diesel Tune then had to tear down the motor and request new head gaskets and head bolts from International Diesel . this delay took a number of weeks. Upon receiving the parts Diesel Tune assemble the engine installed it in the truck. They started the engine and it sounded good. Upon closer testing they found there was no oil pressure. After spending a couple of days diagnosing the problem it was determined to be an internal problem inside the block. Again International Diesel was notified.
10/10/07 Approx Date. Diesel tune as well as myself was told by International Diesel that as a result of all the problems they were going to send out a brand new drop in motor from GM, complete and ready to install, including the injectors, injection pump, and turbo. As frustrated as I was I was happy to hear that, the value of a brand new complete motor was very justifiable.
11/30/07 The engine arrived. It was not brand new and did not have the turbo. It was then explained to me that what they do is take the engine out of a frame that had been damaged during production at the plant and that there was only about 15hrs on the motor. This is not what was said previously. Diesel Tune had all ready installed the engine before I found out it had been delivered. At this point I just wanted the truck running. They were almost done with the installation when as they were bolting up the torque converter the engine locked up. Once again Diesel Tune began tearing down the motor to see if they can find the problem.
12/06/07 Diesel Tune to date has removed the front cover, the transmission, the oil pan underneath and could find nothing causing the problem. They are now in the process of removing the engine from the truck once again and will tear down the top end of this motor. If they do find the problem I anticipate more delays as a result of waiting for parts or possibly even another engine.
12/10/07 Diesel tune completed removal of engine. Removed the left head and found broken pieces of aluminum inside the cylinder. The aluminum seem to be from an outside source un related to the engine. After further inspection Diesel Tune determined the engine was undamaged by the debris.
12/11/07 In an effort to expedite getting the engine reassembled I went and got the parts needed to put the engine back together myself (Richard Hibbard invoice). I received the parts on 12/14/07 and delivered them the same day to Diesel Tune.
12/17/07 Diesel Tune did not work on my truck. I was told his mechanic called in sick and he had to work it in with other jobs that were in progress. I was told it wouldn’t be ready until after the holidays.
12/26/07 I spoke with Consumer Affairs (BAR) regarding a complaint I filed some weeks ago. They finally got back to me. I was told they had no jurisdiction outside of California. They did however get Diesel Tune to commit to completing my truck by Friday 12/28/07.
12/27/07 No Info at this time
12/28/07 I spoke with Mike at Diesel Tune 11:00 a.m. He said the truck is running but has an oil leak. They are looking into where it is. Probably will not have the truck back once again before the Holiday weekend.
01/03/08 Got the truck back and seems to be running fine. Attached with the truck was a $14000.00 bill.
01/04/08 Even though I was sent to Diesel tune as International Diesels authorized warranty representative. I was billed for all the work Diesel Tune performed on the defective motors even though the truck never made it out of the shop.
01/07/08 Approx Date Contacted Diesel Tune. Low coolant light had come on. I changed the plastic coolant tank because we felt the sensor may have gone bad. It seemed to work.
01/10/08 Coolant is leaking somewhere towards the back of the engine on the left side, also noticed an oil leak from the same side. Cooling system has also started to hold pressure in reservoir tank which seems excessive to me. I have not yet had time to have it diagnosed. Usually this means a blown head gasket or leaking injector sleeves.
At this time I am in exactly the same place I was in back on 01/04/07 only out a huge amount of money.
Engine $4395.00
Initial Labor $5906.96
Rancho Motors $ 195.50
Richard Hibbard $ 251.90
Diesel Tune $1700.00 (1st diagnosis and valve adjustment)
SUBTOTAL $12448.40
(Installation Labor 2nd time) has not been paid yet (initial estimate was $4100.00)
Total Bill $13938.39
Engine is no closer to being complete than when it first arrived
SUBTOTAL Unknown at this time
Initial Rental Car
Enterprise $2900.00
Enterprise $ 800.00
SUBTOTAL $3700.00
Lost Revenue
Lost rental on JD320 130 working days to date at $225.00 per day $29250.00
Lost Rental Husky 750 approx 29 days based on previous years average $ 3190.00
Move in/out approx 38 days based on previous years average $ 3800.00
SUBTOTAL $36240.00
TOTAL MONETARY LOSSES $66326.79
Lost customer base - undetermined at this time
Had to cancel Camping vacation with kids – had no truck to tow trailer
Couldn’t afford a rental car averaging $1000.00 per month. Decided to purchase an economy car for my wife to drive so that I could use our expedition which is getting beat up and acquiring a lot of miles.
I am at a complete loss at this time. When I brought the truck in it at least ran now I cannot drive it at all. I have also lost $1000.00 worth of tools from theft as a result of the truck sitting there so long.
The truck as of now has a damaged right rear fender. No mention of has been made to me.
At this time I do not feel I should be liable for any costs relating to the repair of this vehicle.
International Diesel has been unresponsive to any of my requests to handle the problem.
They should not be allowed to do business.
#2
01-21-2008, 08:57 PM
I hope you didn't join just to bash Diesel Tune?
#4
01-21-2008, 09:03 PM
#6
01-21-2008, 09:17 PM
Wow thats blows big time. Hope you can turn this back all around and things go your way bud.
Ridiculous DD, gotta go with a 7.1L dmax 
#7
01-21-2008, 09:24 PM
#9
01-21-2008, 09:34 PM
In reply to Buckshotmckee. This was not a bashing of diesel tune. They only performed the labor attempting to correct the constant defects of Internatioal Diesels Product. For 7 months the truck never made it out of the shop. The mechanics at Diesel Tune actually found a lot of problems before it got back to me.
What I was unaware of is that International Diesel does not care if their product is defective or not. They claim they only warranty parts, regardless and do not stand behind their product. Two engines never made it into the truck. At the time I was under the impression Diesel Tune was servicing Internation Diesels failed product. I was not aware I was going to be held liable for all the additional work spent on the piece of crap motors. Mike from diesel Tune has been fair in that I paid him the initial cost given for the job and we have to wait and see what we can get out of International Diesel a company out of New York that I would advise staying away from. Their website should you come across it is. www.65engineparts.com or www.65lengine.com
What I was unaware of is that International Diesel does not care if their product is defective or not. They claim they only warranty parts, regardless and do not stand behind their product. Two engines never made it into the truck. At the time I was under the impression Diesel Tune was servicing Internation Diesels failed product. I was not aware I was going to be held liable for all the additional work spent on the piece of crap motors. Mike from diesel Tune has been fair in that I paid him the initial cost given for the job and we have to wait and see what we can get out of International Diesel a company out of New York that I would advise staying away from. Their website should you come across it is. www.65engineparts.com or www.65lengine.com
#10
01-22-2008, 08:39 AM
Diesel Bomber
