Anyone who's read my previous threads will know I've been having MASSIVE detonation problems with an engine supplied from a breakers and fitted by Xtreme.
Everything we've tried has failed and the Knocklink's going mad, even with 6 ron points of octane booster in and freshly cleaned out injectors.
Got Pat Herborn ready to map it last week, he took one look at the motor and said: "there's your problem".
Expecting to see a loose wire, or something, instead he's pointing at a code on the cam cover.
"It's a UK cover," he says. "Could be just the cover that's UK if the motor's out of a smashed car or it could be a UK bottom end with an STI5 head and turbo."
Ran an engine number check (thanks to Donalds Subaru for that) and it turns out it's out of a V-reg 2.0 UK Impreza, not an STI5.
Breaker was initially having none of it but, I gather, eventually checked the engine number himself. Seems he'd bought a written off STI in good faith and got this oddbod motor.
From what I can find out, the detonation problem is being caused by the UK car's higher compression ratio - doesn't sit well with the STI's turbo boost pressure, though that may be bollocks because I'm no mechanic.
A chat to trading standards confirms the breaker's looking at having to repay me the 2250 plus vat for the motor, plus cover the cost of the injector cleaning, Pat Herborn's time, 4 or 5 trips to Xtreme to try to cure the problem, etc.
Problem is, that means court, waiting about and a car I still can't drive.
Enter Xtreme.
Knowlesy negotiates a deal with the breaker - take your motor back, give us a proper one this time and Xtreme will remove the current one, fit the new one and fettle it as needs be - and pick up the tab themselves.
All I've got to do is pick up the price of the cambelt.
Engine arrives last Thursday, car goes to Xtreme this morning. They're on the phone by 2:45pm.
"It's in and running sweetly. Collect it today?"
Love to but I'm in work til 9pm, can't get there til 11pm.
"No worries," says Knowlesy, "I'll open up for you."
Now, how many garages would a) do all the labour for free to help a genuine customer out, b) open up at 11pm?
If this sounds like an ad, it ain't, it's all facts.
Brilliant job lads, thanks very much.
Hopefully this is the end of my knocklink/detonation threads.

 

sound like extreme have been extremely good to you!
martin

 

Thumbs up to them by the sound of it

 

Glad your car is sorted mate! Sounded like a right headache!

Talk about above and beyond on the part of Xtreme!

Great bunch aren't they!!!

NS04

 

another good job by knowlesy, paul and graham it seems

 

Wish BMW dealers were like this, I do miss the Xtreme service!

 

sounds to me like pat deserves a lot of that praise!

 

sorry left pat off my list

Pat too

 

Mate, there's no doubt he does - he's like a walking encyclopedia when it comes to model codes and things. Top geezer and all.

 

nice one bet the Breaker aint to happy though

 

good old boys down there.....

 

Amazing service my Xtreme again, if only all companys were so helpful.

 

so why didnt extreme spot this when fitting the engine lol not suprised theyre helping you out to be honest !!!!

 

visually identical engines - unless you went looking for the code

 

I'm impressed, hope it goes well for you. Wish some of Xtreme's competitors were as helpful.

 

"so why didnt extreme spot this when fitting the engine lol not suprised theyre helping you out to be honest !!!!"

If you buy something of E Bay or other 3rd party; We certainly would never gurantee it works; & we certainly can't gurantee something that was sold by another person, is what it is meant to be.....

You'd be surprised at some of the engines that are sourced. We can tell you of engines with 2 uk pistons in & 2 jap pistons, a 99 block with centre thrust crank & so on..

You'd not be able to tell; unless the engine was stripped. There are a massive amount of people that source parts that are not for the car, though will make do

If we source an engine we'd check the engine was what it was; & the only way to do that - build it from scratch

Pat has exceptional knowledge, though it wasn't until the mapping session & the information from the ECU on the system highlighted a key issues. Whilst the cam covers had a part number....they are interchangeable on most years of car. As are many parts....

The breaker in question is relaible & has helped us over the many years of trading; as mentioned it was an unfortunate set of circumstances. And to do the right thing made sense.

Its not uncommon for people to help out & the way the customer dealt with the situation, clearly presenting facts & remaining calm certainly helped. Though these were exceptional circumstances.

We also like to treat people, how we would like to be treated.........& firmly believe in responsibility & taking ownership of issues.

 

dont think you will ever get better service than that anywhere sound like there top lads

 

'We also like to treat people, how we would like to be treated' - I'd beg to differ, but won't say anything here

 

Collected the car with replacement engine this morning. Have done 400-odd miles already. Knocklink sleeps like a baby, motor certainly seems a good one. I am very happy with the service, exceptionally so. Saved a lot of hassle and bitterness on all sides.

Most worrying moment today? Being told by Knowlesy that neon lights are gaining vogue on Scoobies.
Aaaaaaaaaaaarrrggghhhhhhhhhh.

 

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

 

Having used xtreme in the past and having a similar problem, the same quality service was offered considering they did not fit the engine. No doubt a GENUINE service.
Glad your car is sorted.