Okay then, no luck with attention from the Alpine guys.
I tried to speak to them nicely, but Andy Bush is beating around the bush and tries to put the blame on others so I am very unhappy with the delivered service.
Here a list of what panned out after I collected the vehicle (in order of importance):
1) The aircon was not working as the "chief mechanic" has managed to rip the condensor apart, just mounting the water radiator on top to camouflage the damage. It was clearly visible that the engine must have banged into the condensor when removing and lifting it out.
Repair failed, I had to get a replacement. Alpine Turbo now claaims that I have removed the vehicle before they had a chance to fix it properly!!
Consequently refuses to re-imburse for my costs of repair.
2) Before I could start off the workshop I had to get the tappets adjusted as at least two of them were out of specs and noisy. 3 hours and R 500.00 later I was on the road, just to top up the engine oil level by 1.5 Lt at the filling station 10 kms from the workshop.
3) Engine sump guard was not put back on the vehicle but remained at the Alpine Workshop. Justification: We wanted to fix it when the aircon is repaired. Comments: They never even attempted to do so.
4) On closer inspection I found the engine mount loose, could turn the nut on top of the mounting point by hand with no efforts. All the hydraulic pipes normally fixed by brackets on the chassis frame were loose and the brackets missing. The electrical wiring (battery to starter cable) were loose and chaffing on the steering rack.
5) By driving the vehicle at slow speed and changing direction there is a clanking sound (heavy movement) from underneath the footwell. Still have to find the source of it, but suspect further loose nuts and bolts.
6) There are some vacuum hoses (3) which are not connected and hanging lose in the engine room.
Two of them from inlet manifold ending in the void (blocked off)
One further from the fuel return valve on the injector rail - hanging lose.
Still have to find out where to connect them.
My assessment:
Don't ever consider using Alpine Turbo Developments http://www.alpineturbo.co.za/index.htm for any works on your vehicle, (I've used them twice before) as they are taking advantage of you and don't stand up for their faults and fuck-ups.
Andy Bush insists that he was DOING ME A FAVOUR for a job he has accepted as such and made me pay R 23'000.00 to swap an engine supplied by a 3rd party and move their own supercharger from my old engine. Testing included in the bill, but tappets noisy etc.
In retrospect: Andy Bush has insisted he will only touch the vehicle when the replacement engine is delivered to them (happened on a Tuesday).
He charged me 30 hours (by his chief mechanic) for the job. I collected the vehicle in above conditions on Saturday from the engine suppliers.
Chief mechanic (!) any first year apprentice would have more pride in the job done.
Ah, and "yes", they charged me the regas of the aircon - on a ripped apart system.
What can I do from here, I am rapidly loosing the battle?
.