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Necoa #: 6231
Location: 1(NY)
Joined: Oct 07, 2005
Posts: 220
Year: 1976
Model: El Camino
Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 9:18 am Post subject: It's the little things,,,,,
.....That can Mess up your life!
Although slightly embarrassing, I thought I should post this so that no one here makes the simple mistake I made that set me back for a good chunk of change.
About 3 weeks ago I purchased a taller air filter and breather lid for my 76 SS. I've a reverse hood scoop (like an air inductance scoop) on the car and I measured to make sure the taller filter would extend up into the hood.
So I open the hood, remove the old filter and lid install the new filter and lid (the lid is one of those that has filter material in the top for increased air flow) and slowly close the hood. All seems good, I take a flashlight and look into the scoop in the hoods and everything looks good, there is clearance and everything so life is good and time goes on.
Last weekend, I'm coming home from Buffalo and about a mile from home, and stopped at a stop sign, looked both ways and pulled out when I heard click clank bing (loud) clack clack,,, so I pulled over and shut it down. (like moved 30 feet) I looked under the hood, under the car, (it sounded like a stick whacking something from in the car),, nothing. So leaving the hood open i started it up and the sound was coming from the top end of the engine. I immediately shut it down and called a tow truck.
After my mechanic started looking at it, he found a small plastic ziplock bag (1"x1") taped to the underside of the airfilter lid, in it was a small nut a flat washer and a hole in the bag. (yikes) So i went to the place i purchased the lid and opened a new package, sure enough, taped to the bottom was a little bag, with 2 nuts and a flat washer, but this one was taped over the center hole, mine was off to the side. The packaging has no parts list, or warning of the extra parts.
So i told him to go ahead and pull the heads.....
The nut got into my passenger side head, got into my # 8 cylinder and chewed it up good (crushed 2 rings) and it looks like a small chunk hopped back up through my intake manifold (no small feet, it's tall) of it put a small ding in the #4 cylinder. My AFR Eliminator heads did ok, we need to replace and reseat the #8 valves, #4 was un molested, I also need to replace the #8 piston and rings. The cylinder walls were clean thank god.
So, bottom line, I didn't look for a little nut that i didn't know was there and it cost me close to a grand.
I feel like a jerk and I paid for it. I'm sending a registered letter to the company that distributes the filter with a copy of the bill and photos of the damage. Some people keep telling me to take them to court. But they are in CAL, and made in CHINA. They should PUT THE PARTS IN PLAIN SIGHT (like on top) , and AD A PARTS LIST DAMN IT ALL!!
OK I hope none of you do something stupid like I did, allways ,,Allways, check everything twice.
It should be back on the road next week.
Randy _________________ Randy Dunn.
Stupid little things that cause huge problems are almost worse than an up front huge problem. They make no sense and feel like the essence of bad luck.
I hope you get a response from the company, maybe they will cover the damages. Not likely, I know, but clearly they created the circumstance and it is in their interest to change the way they package the air cleaner. I could see the logic in them helping you out on this from another perspective as well: you would likely win if you sued in small claims court, and defending against that may not be worthwhile for them.
Quite a story Randy, man, what a disaster. Can understand your being a bit P.O.. I feel a somewhat strongly worded letter from your attorney might serve you well. They may want to cover your expenses to avoid legal fees and all the bad publicity, especially if it was a big outfit like K&N etc. Word of mouth is big business. Glad you had the knowledge and sense to shut it down quick. Glad it didn't get your cylinder walls etc. Good luck with it, and let us know how it ends.... _________________ Mark
1972 Elky Picture Album
Necoa #: 9074
Location: 25(All Other)
Joined: Feb 20, 2007
Posts: 1017
Year: 1975
Model: El Camino
Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 4:50 am Post subject:
What lousy luck Randy. Your estimate to fix sounds conservative compared what that amount of damage would cost to rectify here in OZ with mechanics charging over A$70/hour.
The only positive is that you have the opportunity to freshen up the motor.
Good luck with getting some compensation from the manufacturer. _________________ John (from Down Under)
Necoa #: 6231
Location: 1(NY)
Joined: Oct 07, 2005
Posts: 220
Year: 1976
Model: El Camino
Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 6:08 am Post subject:
hemi57 wrote:
What lousy luck Randy. Your estimate to fix sounds conservative compared what that amount of damage would cost to rectify here in OZ with mechanics charging over A$70/hour.
The only positive is that you have the opportunity to freshen up the motor.
Good luck with getting some compensation from the manufacturer.
I doubt I'll hear anything from the manufacturer beyond "were sorry, remember you must inspect every part you buy for your car, regardless of the part" spheal. I will Document everything, I have witnesses (the mechanics that found the bag). And the manufacturer will have to sign for the letter. Don't think I'll go to court. Just a really thick letter.
Yeah, i feel like a dolt, I should of looked. I found myself looking inside an oil filter before putting it on yesterday, things like that can make you paranoid! OY!
The estimate of around a grand, was just that an, estimate. I’ve a feeling after all is said and done it’ll be about $1300.
The Heads are ok, just the #8 valves needed to be polished and re-seated. I'm in good hands. The mechanic is the kind of guy who covers the car up like a surgeon would before an operation. He’s good, and does allot of classic cars because of that (I’ve seen some really rare cars at his shop). He explains everything so even my old lady understood!!! (that takes skill)
I’ll let you guys know everything I can after I get it back, I’ll post some photos also.
Necoa #: 4224
Location: 12(MO,OK,KS)
Joined: Nov 02, 2004
Posts: 243
Year: 1977
Model: El Camino
Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 9:44 am Post subject:
I don't want to sound like a jerk here, so please don't take this personal.
I feel bad for you, really. I've done some pretty stupid thing in my life.
However, I just want to say. Please, do send the info to the manufacturer, but under no circumstances would I ever suggest taking them to court for your mistake. You admit in this thread several times that it was your fault for not looking, and I agree. (again, not trying to be a jerk, just being honest) I think if you try to go after them for this you're no better than the idiot who poured coffee on herself and sued McDonalds. Yes, it was stupid of them to put those parts there, and that's why I say you should inform them, and if they feel the need to help you out then that is great.
So, send the info to them, let them know what happened, and maybe even ask for some compensation, but don't threaten them with a lawyer. That's one of the biggest problems with this world today...
and again I do feel sorry for you, and I'm really sorry for sounding like a jerk, but I just felt I had to say something... _________________
Last edited by closer9 on Mon Jul 14, 2008 12:33 pm; edited 1 time in total
Necoa #: 6231
Location: 1(NY)
Joined: Oct 07, 2005
Posts: 220
Year: 1976
Model: El Camino
Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 10:05 am Post subject:
closer9,
It’s cool… dont jump the gun,,,
Like I said, I don’t think I'll do that. I’m not like that.
I'm just letting them know how much this mistake cost (could of been MUCH worse) with a big fat letter (photos, bills, recepts)...
Remember that part of this mess is their fault too, poor labeling, poor packaging, Poor QC. But your right, and I’ll say it again, the bottom line is “I didn’t look, I pay”.
They should be reminded how much the situation with the packaging can cost their customers, they must of thought the packaging through at some point. If they turn around and try to compensate me some(which I doubt will happen) kudos to them. If not maybe they will relook at the packaging, which might keep this simple but expensive mistake from happening again to another customer.
Necoa #: 11112
Location: 9(IN,KY,MI)
Joined: Feb 25, 2008
Posts: 90
Year: 1981
Model: El Camino
Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 8:40 pm Post subject:
In my job I have to write Work Instructions for machine repair and maintenance. Company policy is to include pictures of every nut, bolt and screw that needs to be inspected. And this is for professional Maintenance Workers.
My favorite was one written by a co-worker to replace the filter and fluid on a hydraulic system. This task is performed on nearly every machine at least once a year. There are well over 100 machines in my plant. The WI said to drain the fluid, remove the old filter, put on a new one and refill the tank. And they did. Unfortunately it did not mention a pan to catch the old fluid or to put the plug back in the tank. About 25 gallon (100 liter) of old hydro and 25 more of new on the floor.
I'm not kidding. Everybody makes mistakes, learn and get on with it. Thanks for your story, I bet we will all be a little more cautious thanks to you. _________________ Old Chevys never die
. . . they just go faster
Necoa #: 716
Location: 13(TX)
Joined: Mar 18, 2003
Posts: 192
Year: 1985
Model: El Camino
Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 11:19 pm Post subject:
Randy,
I've always wondered about bad luck like this? We've all experienced it. The storys I could tell. Most start with I was minding my own business when....
In my job I have to write Work Instructions for machine repair and maintenance. Company policy is to include pictures of every nut, bolt and screw that needs to be inspected. And this is for professional Maintenance Workers.
My favorite was one written by a co-worker to replace the filter and fluid on a hydraulic system. This task is performed on nearly every machine at least once a year. There are well over 100 machines in my plant. The WI said to drain the fluid, remove the old filter, put on a new one and refill the tank. And they did. Unfortunately it did not mention a pan to catch the old fluid or to put the plug back in the tank. About 25 gallon (100 liter) of old hydro and 25 more of new on the floor.
I'm not kidding. Everybody makes mistakes, learn and get on with it. Thanks for your story, I bet we will all be a little more cautious thanks to you.
I write manual also, technical service bulletins and service tips, for the kits cars of sort we sell. You can't include enough photos and detailed explanations. But I do find that the people you would expect to be competent, professional mechanics and installers, tend to not follow the instruction, they think they know it all and screw things up the most. The guy that buys one of these and has to do the install themselves, even though he is not as experienced, will read the manual thoroughly and do the job right, has very little issues when done and does an overall better job.
Buy them books, send them to school, what do they do, eat the pages!
Mike _________________ "That the automobile has practically reached the limit of its development is suggested by the fact that during the past year no improvements of a radical nature have been introduced." (Scientific American January 2, 1909).
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this is why you must inspect every part you buy for your car, regardless of the part.
