I used 1stchoice.co.uk as a parts finder site and Foreign Car Spares popped up with an engine for £480 inc delivery. My request was specifically for a Rev 3 Tubby, and listed as a 95 car to ensure they replied with the right price.
I pm'd them via 1stchoice with a few questions to make sure it was a Rev 3 engine and they confirmed it was
(they specifically said it was a Rev 3 Turbo). Happily I paid for the engine and awaited delivery which was apparently to be next day.
Two days later I called them as the engine had not arrived.
I got someone called Ali who said that I had been quoted for the wrong engine and that I had to pay £200 more for a Rev 3 as teh guy the other day had sold me a Rev 2. To say I refused would be putting it politely.
After 3 days of disputes and getting 1stchoice involved who actually were quite helpful I was told the engine would be sent next day 'after it had been tested to make sure it was working' I was also told by Ali that 'sometimes engines get broken in transit' The engine arrived as promised this time and I set about fitting it.
I wondered just how they had tested it as the cylinders were almost totally full of water?!Well anyway I fitted it because if it was a good runner I wouldve been happy and that wouldve been the end of it.
Fast forward a few more days and I managed to get it started (eventually) and it sounded ok at first. thats where I started to get worried, after 10 minutes of idle there was still a sh*tload of blue/grey smoke - sometimes changing to white - pouring out the back. I gave it a little press on the pedal to bring the revs up to see if it cleared the smoke - which it didnt. Thats when it went totally wrong - soon as the revs went above 1500 a loud rattle noise took over with a distinct vibration from the rocker cover. Conclusion
- engine f*cked and cue phone call to FCS the next day. This is where it went even further wrong.
I was told they wouldnt accept it back without a video of the issue - happily provided. Then they tried to tell me they wouldnt give a refund - sorry guys but you will as its a legal requirement - Then I got some manager called Dave who asked for a video with the rocker cover off. I done this and keep getting some crap about he cant see the video on youtube I posted of it. he then started telling me again that they wont refund even if I send it back.
the engine will be on a pallet back tomorrow/wednesday and the next part of the saga will start
- I'll get my refund somehow but hope this story stops anyone else from suffering the same issues. STAY AWAY FROM THIS BUNCH OF IDIOTS
