Author Topic: Z & S imports (Read 5647 times)

Mutant Mariachi · « **on:** February 05, 2006, 08:52:34 am »

I bought a ( supposedly) restored?/rebuilt?/new? 1982 1.9L diesel vanagon with a highway tranny from "Z & S imports" www.zsimports.com 2 weeks ago. On my drive home from puchasing it (Las Vegas Nevada to Albuquerque New Mexico...like 500 miles) it broke down. My local mechanics have determined that I need a new engine. It seems that the flywheel flew apart and ruptured the main engine seals. When the mechanics replaced the main seals they noticed a discrepancy with the bearing clearances. I've gotten several opinions on this matter.

At first Vic, from "Z & S imports" (where I bought the van), was responding to my calls, but now he won't call me at all. His wife/assistant Monica says he's in the hospital...but it would be nice to get some kind of communication from them about wether or not they intend to help me out here. All I get is Monica calling me up and yelling at me, telling me that I'm going to have to wait. I don't know about you guys but when you pay $15,000 for a vehicle you hope to get some kind of "customer service" or whatever you want to call it in this case.

I'm just a traveling musician who thought it'd be a good idea to get a diesel vanagon for touring in...now I'm a broke, non traveling musician riding my bicycle everywhere (or bus). Maybe that's what the universe has planned for me. It's better for the environment.

Be careful when dealing with "Z & S imports" [/b]www.zsimports.com...and definately don't expect a warranty or any customer service/ customer communication.

later

ps Anyone have a good 1.9L td engine lying around they want to get rid of?

chet · « **Reply #1 on:** February 10, 2006, 10:47:42 am »

did you ever think that maybe he IS in the hospital and like most other small companies no one else can help you?

BlackTieTD · « **Reply #2 on:** February 10, 2006, 11:02:28 am »

i sympathize with both sides in this case....you had some bad luck and maybe they are a shady shop...

but he could just be in the hospital and it could just be a coincidence that the motor had problems.

its hard sometimes when dealing with small shops like this to get resolutions right away. a good idea when making a purchase like this is to do so from a shop with a good reputation or look for referals and opinions before making the purchase. hopefully the guy gets well and makes it right for you......thats a lot of cash to burn!

vwmike · « **Reply #3 on:** February 10, 2006, 02:34:49 pm »

So...was there a problem with the thrust bearings on the engine that caused the crank to walk when you stepped on the clutch? I'm not sure how that relates to the flywheel coming apart unless the flywheel wasn't balanced properly and wore out the main bearings. In any case, I have never talked to anyone at this place, but as of late I have seen some ads basically saying they were liquidating the business due to his health.

Mutant Mariachi · « **Reply #4 on:** February 13, 2006, 07:19:30 am »

"he could just be in the hospital"

I completely agree, it's just that someone could have called me and said "we're going to send you parts and help you as soon as so and so gets well". Instead i got " So and so is in the hospital...you're just going to have to wait." It gave me the feeling they were avoiding me.

I've been waiting 3 weeks now and still have no response.

Mutant Mariachi · « **Reply #5 on:** February 13, 2006, 07:41:09 am »

Quote from: "vwmike"

So...was there a problem with the thrust bearings on the engine that caused the crank to walk when you stepped on the clutch? I'm not sure how that relates to the flywheel coming apart unless the flywheel wasn't balanced properly and wore out the main bearings. In any case, I have never talked to anyone at this place, but as of late I have seen some ads basically saying they were liquidating the business due to his health.

I'm not sure what "thrust bearings" are. I noticed the van would not shift when I exited the freeway for fuel. I thought the clutch was just out of adjustment and since I was driving on the highway, why would I need the clutch? Besides I did not have far to go and thought I could fix it when I got home. I got back on the highway for awhile and that's when I heard the awful noise. My local mechanics ( I've gotten several opinions)say the engine needs to be replaced.

I wish I would have known "Z&S imports" is going out of business. ""Z & S imports" told me when I bought the van they were going overseas, at the beginning of Febuary, to look for more parts...lead me to believe that they intended to stay in business?

Anyone got a 1.9 td they don't need?