Opinions wanted

[mutt71]

I bought a TCI "Sizzler", A-904 Auto trans, Torque Converter and Transmission filler tube. I had the old trans and torque converter for these new parts removed from my car once the new parts arrived. With less than 500 miles on the new parts, the transmission failed (reverse was gone). I called TCI and was asked to photograph the inside of the trans pan and send the photos to the tech that I was dealing with. I did as asked, and was told that the transmission was indeed defective. He also told me to call the Dealer of the parts, to authorize a return of the transmission, torque converter, etc., and for them to send me replacements. The Dealer did just that. I asked about who was going to pay for the removal of the parts and replacing them with the new parts. I was told that the "Dealer" does not pay for labor. Upon receiving the replacement parts, they were installed. upon trying to tighten up the bolts for the torque converter to the flywheel, it was discovered that the bolt holes were stripped out. I called the dealer again to complain about the replacement torque converter was defective. They agreed to send a replacement. I inquired once again about who would be responsible for the labor costs for the transmission and torque convertor AGAIN. To say that I was pissed is an understatement. Again, I was told that they do not pay for labor. I was then told that I was to be issued a $50.00 gift certificate, for my troubles.
Is it me? Or should I just accept this situation and eat the cost of labor for taking out the transmission and torque converter etc., and reinstalling them TWICE because of defective parts sold by this Dealer? Should I go after TCI for this? Or both?

 

[steve from staten island]

Im not getting just who the dealer is. Is it whoever installed your trans. Either way you bought a trans from a vender. Whats the warrantee say. When you say parts do you mean the trans as a unit? As far as the converter,so once the installer went to bolt up the converter they found stripped threads and had to take the trans back down. Whatever that cost in time the vender should pay for as that as its just incompetence in rebuilding a part by them.

 

[mmissile]

You're doing what what should be done.....spread the word! Is your *** sore? I'd be posting everywhere.

 

[BBishere2]

I bought a TCI "Sizzler", A-904 Auto trans, Torque Converter and Transmission filler tube. I had the old trans and torque converter for these new parts removed from my car once the new parts arrived. With less than 500 miles on the new parts, the transmission failed (reverse was gone). I called TCI and was asked to photograph the inside of the trans pan and send the photos to the tech that I was dealing with. I did as asked, and was told that the transmission was indeed defective. He also told me to call the Dealer of the parts, to authorize a return of the transmission, torque converter, etc., and for them to send me replacements. The Dealer did just that. I asked about who was going to pay for the removal of the parts and replacing them with the new parts. I was told that the "Dealer" does not pay for labor. Upon receiving the replacement parts, they were installed. upon trying to tighten up the bolts for the torque converter to the flywheel, it was discovered that the bolt holes were stripped out. I called the dealer again to complain about the replacement torque converter was defective. They agreed to send a replacement. I inquired once again about who would be responsible for the labor costs for the transmission and torque convertor AGAIN. To say that I was pissed is an understatement. Again, I was told that they do not pay for labor. I was then told that I was to be issued a $50.00 gift certificate, for my troubles.
Is it me? Or should I just accept this situation and eat the cost of labor for taking out the transmission and torque converter etc., and reinstalling them TWICE because of defective parts sold by this Dealer? Should I go after TCI for this? Or both?

Having spent years selling parts, I don't remember any vendor paying for labor for a defective part. Usually the vendors are pretty lenient about reimbursing customers for defective parts, even if the 'alleged defect' was caused by improper installation. I am not saying that this is the case here, at all, just saying in general. It's nice they offered you a gift certificate, a lot of places would have said 'we're sorry' and that would have been it. I know these things are a pain, but a lot of us here have went through this same thing.

 

[mutt71]

I bought the parts from Summit. I had my Mechanic put the parts in.
I paid my Mechanic for the first installation and will have to pay my Mechanic for the removal of the parts and the installation of them a second and third time. I hope that this makes my story a little clearer. I understand about a vendor replacing defective parts. Summit has been good that way.

 

[BeeKool]

I would spread the word about TCI. They should be responsible for the labor. You should do as mmissile says and tell everyone who has ears if they don't reimburse you.
I appreciate you sharing this with us, as I am in the market for a torque converter. I will definitely looks elsewhere before considering TCI.

 

[mopar 3 B]

Some of this should be taken care off by your mechanic. The first install should be on you and if you supplied the parts the second install would be your problem. The fact the mechanic did not check the condition of even threads on the second install the removal and replacement should be at least shared if not taken care of by the mechanic.
If parts were furnished by the mechanic the first install is all I would have paid for. His parts, his labor and his problem.

 

[steve from staten island]

He (Mutt) says he bought the parts the mechanic installed what he bought. No way is the mechanic liable for anything. trying to make a case that he did catch a bad thread in that converter is petty and wrong at best. Either way the labor would only be a hour to pull the trans back and remove the converter. Again what does the warranty say,because really thats what counts. Five hundred miles and the trans goes bad really does suck but it happens and the vender made good. The labor to remove-re install is on the buyer who could either done it himself or farmed it out. The only way you cover your *** is let a shop rebuild and install your transmission if thats what your looking for. I feel Mutts pain and it makes me question just how good a rebuilding job this outfit did. These transmission's are not that high tec like some of the more modern transmissions in cars today.

 

[moparnation74]

Sucks in these situations but the vendor and mechanic is not liable for the installation labor. The vendor stood behind the parts and made replacements, the mechanic got defective parts to install and got paid for his labor...

Sounds like the convertor with stripped threads was a previous return. I am glad you posted this and this is another reason why I will not use TCI....

Frank Lupo at Dynamic Convertors is the way to go!

 

[mmissile]

The gift certificate was insulting. For all that trouble, which they clearly figured was their cause.......they could have refunded you for at least a generous portion of your initial investment and following troubles. A company can only do things that dumb/insulting, so many times...before they develop a shitty reputation and major lost revenue. The internet and social-media are powerful tools to tell stories of experiences....good or bad.

 

[steve from staten island]

The decent thing to do would be for the transmission rebuilder to take the faulty trans and disassemble it and find the cause of the failure. If they find a defective part, it would be on them. At that point they could upon your submitting a legitimate bill from your mechanic,offer to reimburse you for either all or some of the labor. But nobody hardly ever does the right thing so forget about that.
Again i think the point is being missed here and thats the warranty. You bought a hi performance transmission from a vender,you did not buy the labor to install or remove it unless that was expressed in the agreement.

 

[moparnation74]

The decent thing to do would be for the transmission rebuilder to take the faulty trans and disassemble it and find the cause of the failure. If they find a defective part, it would be on them. At that point they could upon your submitting a legitimate bill from your mechanic,offer to reimburse you for either all or some of the labor. But nobody hardly ever does the right thing so forget about that.
Again i think the point is being missed here and thats the warranty. You bought a hi performance transmission from a vender,you did not buy the labor to install or remove it unless that was expressed in the agreement.

That makes sense but this is not a perfect world or situation. An honest company would do some of this but a not so honest company will pass blame onto the installer. That way they are off the hook on the labor and they full fill the warranty end of their obligation.

http://www.transcoil.com/Public/Documents/Warranty/TCI-Limited-Warranty.pdf

This is a live and learn situation. I have been in these situations and it Sucks! However, I fought tooth and nail for any penny back.....

 

[super-bee_ski]

I'm sorry you are experiencing these issues.

BUT: I'm at a loss on why you would purchase a TCI transmission in the first place?
The Chrysler transmissions are so very stout and robust.
I personally would have had the original trans rebuilt.

To me, the TCI's shift way too hard.
Also, it is a know fact that TCI started out with "Great Quality Control" and then "lost focus" when the demand for their product became overwhelming for them, and that is when TCI started to experience QA issues.

Again, sorry you are going through this issue.

 

[mutt71]

I wish that I had known about TCI's Bad QA issues beforehand. I would have had my original rebuilt locally, but they had a waiting list t that was way too long, whereas buying was a better option at the time. I wanted to have my car running for the summer and with my oldest grandson visiting for the summer.
I appreciate everyone's point of view on this matter. I will be picking the car up tomorrow and I will keep my fingers crossed that the cost Will not knock me into the poorhouse.

 

[steve from staten island]

No worries Mutt, id say all of have been were you were at one time or another. You tried to do something special with your grandson... That my friend speaks volumes about you.

 

[mutt71]

I am picking the car up this afternoon. My mechanic billed me for $608.81. I think that is more than reasonable, considering all the BS. As far as I am concerned, this is the end of it.