Subsequent to Fire!

[alpenmac]

Subsequent to the “Fire!” Thread previously posted, here is an update on the restoration process.
After the Insurance go ahead, the engine and gearbox unit was stripped from the car as the fire damaged bulkhead pad had to be renewed. All ancillaries were also stripped out from the engine compartment as it had been agreed that everything forward of the chrome scuttle air intake to the slam panel would have to be re-sprayed. The bonnet would be re-sprayed and a new bonnet pad fitted. New hoses, brake lines and cables were needed and the fire damaged Strombergs replaced. A new distributor and ignition system was also required. At that stage, I decided to bite the bullet and replace, at my own expense, the Brake Servo, Clutch Master & Slave Cylinder, and the Power Steering hoses. Additionally, as the gearbox was already out it seemed wise to replace the Clutch which was of unknown age.
Once everything was stripped out, the car spent two weeks at the paint shop getting the 2-pack Brooklands Green treatment. This was good news, as the engine compartment was still finished in the original factory Sienna Brown – even though at one stage he had been Pimento Red! In the interim the large parts order had been placed and the Strombergs sent away for reconditioning or replacement units. On return from the paint shop work started on reassembly. The new choke cable, from the main supplier of parts, was found to be “seized” and a replacement obtained before the Strombergs were fitted on 6th July. The Strombergs were defective in that they were leaking copious quantities of fuel from the lower brass fitments. This was totally unacceptable considering that it was a fuel leak that caused the fire in the first place! Carburettors returned and were replaced on 17th July – they were leaking again, this time from the left hand body. Frustration all round as the garage had now fitted two faulty sets of carbs from the same supplier. It was decided at this stage to reject the Strombergs completely. A set of Webers was organised – what a difference! Easy installation, no leaks and Nigel returned on 22nd July – he now carries a Fire Extinguisher!
In rejecting the Strombergs, I decided to check with Trading Standards (Consumer Advice) as to what my rights were regarding two lots of £26.10 return carriage to the supplier. Apparently under the Direct Selling Regulations the seller is responsible for carriage returns for faulty items– not the buyer. Additionally as I had incurred fitting and removal costs for the faulty Strombergs – the insurance would obviously only pay for the supply and fitment of serviceable items – I would be entitled to claim for “Consequential Loss” under the Sale of Goods act 1975.
In the event that any other owner has to go through a similar experience - I sincerely hope not – be prepared for delays and frustration along the way. Now I am a very “Happy Bunny” enjoying the unique Stag experience once more.
Alex

[new to this]

Alex

nice you got it sorted in the end any pictures of the shiny new paint

Dave

[mopoole]

interested as you say a "set of webers". What carb/carbs have you fitted? Thinking of going down that route myself; any info much appreciated

Maurice

[Goldstar]

Couldn't they just put an O ring on the first set or clear the valve on the second pair?

[alpenmac]

To answer the 3 questions:
1. I will post photos when able.
2. The Webers fitted were 38DGMS on a plinth specially designed for the Stag.
3. Would you really expect to have to repair an item that was supplied at a cost of nearly £450. What would be your redress if at sometime in the immediate future another fault occurred. The supplier was given the opportunity to fix the item and he failed to do so - hence the rejection and expectation of a refund.
Alex

[mole42]

To answer the 3 questions:
3. Would you really expect to have to repair an item that was supplied at a cost of nearly £450. What would be your redress if at sometime in the immediate future another fault occurred. The supplier was given the opportunity to fix the item and he failed to do so - hence the rejection and expectation of a refund.

I am having exactly the same problem with something costing over twice as much. It might be a long haul.....

[mike@thenook]

Small claims court.....?

[HersnotHis]

I am having exactly the same problem with something costing over twice as much. It might be a long haul.....

Hi perhaps I have missed it in another thread but please let us know what this item is. Unless it is an aftermarket add-on the general description will not identify the supplier but at least warn other members to be wary.

I wish you and Alpenmac every success in claiming your money back and additional costs. As mike@thenook says small claims court is the place to start if all other correspondence has failed, however send them one last recorded delivery letter stating that unless you are refunded in full within say 20 working days you will be taking action via the small claims court .

H

[KOY 23]

If your garage is unable to replace a damaged O ring or cure leaking float valves, which may be because of too high fuel pressure or debris in fuel system, I hope they are able to deal with the possible side effects of an aftermarket carb.

[Goldstar]

Just sounds to me like your car was off the road longer than it needed to be and you'now feel compelled to take legal action over £26 postage (x2) and fitting etc that to be fair could and should have been sorted by sensible thinking and action from a mechanic. Not sure why replacing a 5p O ring would have caused you any problem in the future, sounds like your garage making excuses. If I were the seller I would be fighting the repayment as any competent mechanic should have identified the issue which, as Koy says, could have had other factors at play.

Nothing personal and I'm glad you're sorted but I don't think your mechanic has covered themselves in glory and I hope they know what they're doing with the Weber.

[StagJonno]

Hang on chaps. If they were carbs from a scrapyard, then you'd have a valid point, but 2 x basic failures of reconditioned items is not acceptable. I think the term is Not Fit for Purpose. If I were just recovering from an underbonnet fire, I'd also have no confidence in proceeding with these carbs.

I note that Dasadrew also reported recently about some shoddy workmanship on his reconditioned Strombergs (thread had Trials & Tribulations IIRC) that he seems to have taken upon himself to re-recondition.

[wilf]

^this

Why on earth would anyone be expected to repair themselves, items that are faulty to begin with, not just once but twice?

If this was a domestic appliance like a washing machine or dishwasher, few people would hesitate to throw it straight back at the supplier as is their right under the Consumer Protection Act.

Why is it any different with a set of carburettors supposedly expertly reconditioned?

And I find it ridiculous that this club frowns upon "naming and shaming" suppliers guilty of appalling service like this. This is a critical safety issue, the likes of which, on any production vehicle, would trigger an immediate safety recall.

[Goldstar]

I'll beg to differ with both of you. Decent mechanics do this kind of thing all the time. Nobody on here bats an eyelid when members talk about having to grind down brake pads or shoes to fit. Didn't see Montez or green stuff having stuff sent back-it just happens. You could argue it shouldn't but it does. Any refurb can be subject to a component failure, and any decent mechanic would have changed that O ring. That's all I am saying. Then the 2nd issue wouldn't have happened. Who's to say on the second set that the mechanic hadn't flushed the fuel line and something got into the valve-it happens.

Too many people are too quick to cry foul the supplier is useless I want legal redress when a simple thoughtful fix was all it needed.

And Wild you're telling me that if your washing machine needed a penny washer you would throw it back at the manufacturer? That sounds like madness to me. I had a John Lewis machine arrive with a split hose, they sent a new one I fitted it - job done. Didn't affect my warranty.

I'm not really having a go at the OP, it's the mechanic I wouldn't be happy with if I were him.

Oh and the name and shame culture is too easy and prevalent in today's society - easier to ruin someone for a simple mistake rather than work with them to fix it. If you assume best intentions from people you might see the world differently. SOC doesn't need endless libel cases in the court because someone has an axe to grind.

[alpenmac]

Just to clarify, I have no intention whatsoever of "naming and shaming" any supplier of parts associated with this incident - indeed the supplier has already indicated that he is willing to make a full refund for the parts supplied and furthermore, he has always been pleasant and obliging to deal with. Its just the frustration and delays that have been caused by a part that has not met the required standards twice which caused me to go for a brand new - as opposed to a reconditioned - carburettor. I am currently awaiting the bill for the abortive fittings and removals before I sent the Strombergs back for the refund.
Alex

[alpenmac]

I hope these photos work.1-PIC_0330.JPG2-Awaiting the Strombergs 09-07-2017 14-07-48.JPG3-PIC_0334.JPG