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All Forums >> Glow Engines, Gas Engines, Fuel & Mfg Support Forums >> Glow Engines >> Thunder Tiger... Very Bad Service
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Thunder Tiger... Very Bad Service - 1/24/2002 3:50:33 PM   
FCC


 

Posts: 176
Joined: 1/17/2002
From: , ,
Status: offline 		I have an old but new Thunder Tiger engine which I had decided to fix in my new plane. This is not running well and the craftmanship is poor that it seems to be built by a kid.

For this I contacted Thunder Tiger Taiwan and the reply seems to be positive and helping. I even sended the digital photos of this engine along with other information and Mr. Jackie agreed to send me a new engine as a repacement for this. But after 2 days I received the email that they cannot send the new engine...

I have never trusted TT after I bought this engine, even their new ones and after this email no chance. I am really disappointed by TT products and service.

I have this whole convesation as a record so if somebody needs, I can provide this.
       Post #: 1

Sorry to hear you had problems..... - 1/24/2002 6:56:22 PM   
John B



Posts: 329
Joined: 12/5/2001
From: Lynden, AL, USA
Status: offline 		I deal with Ace hobby on my TT warranty issues (had 2)
and they have been more than fair. Try talking with them.
Because of the service I recieved from them I have no reservations of buying TT products.
John

(in reply to FCC)
       Post #: 2

Thunder Tiger... Very Bad Service - 1/24/2002 9:56:56 PM   
Volfy



Posts: 3227
Joined: 1/4/2002
From: Houston, TX, USA
Status: offline 		Why did you contact TT Taiwan? I take it you're not in the US. Does your area not have a local distributor? I would deal with the local guys before trying the Taiwan headquarters.

(in reply to FCC)
       Post #: 3

Thunder Tiger/Ace... Very GOOD Service - 1/24/2002 10:17:56 PM   
visioneer_one



Posts: 2414
Joined: 12/12/2001
From: St. Thomas, VIRGIN ISLANDS (USA)
Status: offline 		[QUOTE]Originally posted by FCC
I have never trusted TT after I bought this engine, even their new ones and after this email no chance. I am really disappointed by TT products and service.
[/QUOTE]
Hm. I have one of their .54 4-strokes, which I picked up used off of eBay. When I finally got around to running it (a month later), it barely idled and would backfire and spit props when throttling up.

Even though I had gotten the engine secondhand, I called Ace, and spoke to one of their engine techs. I explained the problem, he made a few suggestions, but said that the engine would probably have to be sent in. At some point in our conversation, I mentioned that the engine "was on the test stand upstairs in the carport." The tech had me take the cordless phone up to the garage, set it down and run the engine while he listened.

Nnnnngh!!
While he listened!!
His suggestion!!
Which means that all these exclamation marks I am putting in are justified!!!

I retightened the prop, started and ran up the engine (which promptly backfired.) The tech said that the engine is timed incorrectly, send it in.

I sent it in along with my Visa number. Wot with it being a secondhand engine, I expected to be charged.

I received the engine back four weeks later. Packed inside was a letter from the tech apologizing for the late turnaround (he had to attend the Toledo show, and my engine showed up the day after he left.) There was also an invoice showing a $45 labor charge and a $45 credit, for a grand total of $0.

The engine fired up, runs OK. Still working on the midrange transition, though - it tends to go rich. I think the air-bleed carb is the culprit.

Can't complain about their service, though!

< Message edited by visioneer_one -- Jan 24 2002 7:35PM >

(in reply to FCC)
       Post #: 4

Yea! TT Booo! OS - 1/24/2002 10:38:38 PM   
fredscz


 

Posts: 524
Joined: 1/7/2002
From: Southern, IL, USA
Status: offline 		I've never had to deal with Thunder Tiger, but I can tell you first hand that if you are not the original buyer with the orginal sales receipt you are just up the creek trying to get tower to make good on their warranty. I bought an OS46 fx on e-bay and to make a long story short the liner was pealing. I called tower and they informed me they would be glad to help me out to the tune of $66.00 for a piston and liner if I did the install myself. The engine looked new on the outside. I'll think twice before I buy another OS product or another used engine on e-bay.

Fred

(in reply to FCC)
       Post #: 5

OS FX Peeling warranty - 1/24/2002 11:23:17 PM   
codell



Posts: 52
Joined: 12/10/2001
From: Hays, KS, USA
Status: offline 		fredscz,

Maybe you could try Hobby Services for the peeling problem your FX 46 has. I had exactly the same problem with a FX 40 I bought used off ebay. Sent it in with a short letter explaining the problem, and that I was NOT the original owner. No sales reciept, don't even know how old the engine is. 10 days later I had the engine back with new piston, cylinder and rear bearing all for $0! Couldn't be happier. Sounds like Tower is one causing you grief, not OS. Give Hobby Services a try.

(in reply to FCC)
       Post #: 6

Re: OS FX Peeling warranty - 1/25/2002 1:01:17 AM   
visioneer_one



Posts: 2414
Joined: 12/12/2001
From: St. Thomas, VIRGIN ISLANDS (USA)
Status: offline 		[QUOTE]Originally posted by codell
Sounds like Tower is one causing you grief, not OS. Give Hobby Services a try. [/QUOTE]

There's no "maybe" here. Tower doesn't manufacture OS engines - they just sell them.

If you bought a Sony TV from some dude in the street, would you expect the Wiz to honor the warranty? Hehe.

I also had a .46FX with a peeled liner. Purchased secondhand off RCO for use on the club trainer. After seven months of use, it blew a huge amount of black crap out the exhaust and refused to start. I pulled the head off, expecting the worse... the liner was 100% GONE.

So! I boxed the beast up and sent it back to hobby services with a short note ("Doesn't work. Liner gone. Fix it."

Two weeks later, I got the engine back. The invoice listed "no charge - out-of warranty" and blamed the peeled liner on someone running the engine too lean. Of course, almost everyone that has had one of these liners peel has gotten the same note from OS... : "Our product isn't defective. You overheated it. We'll fix it just this once because we're good -hearted."

Send it in with a note. As long as it isn't crash-damaged, they will replace the piston and liner.

(in reply to FCC)
       Post #: 7

Hobby Services? - 1/25/2002 1:58:11 AM   
fredscz


 

Posts: 524
Joined: 1/7/2002
From: Southern, IL, USA
Status: offline 		Who or what is "Hobby Services"?
How do I contact them?
Do they handle warranty work for just OS?

Fred

(in reply to FCC)
       Post #: 8

Hobby Services - 1/25/2002 2:29:28 AM   
codell



Posts: 52
Joined: 12/10/2001
From: Hays, KS, USA
Status: offline 		Hobby Services
1610 Interstate Drive
Champaign, Illinois 61822
217-398-0007 9am-5pm M-F CST
[email]hobbyservices@hobbico.com[/email]

They handle more than just OS. Check out the web sight for more info.

(in reply to FCC)
       Post #: 9

Thunder Tiger... Very Bad Service - 1/25/2002 2:44:19 AM   
fredscz


 

Posts: 524
Joined: 1/7/2002
From: Southern, IL, USA
Status: offline 		Thank you Codell. I appreciate the prompt reply and info.

FRED

(in reply to FCC)
       Post #: 10

Thunder Tiger... Very Bad Service - 1/25/2002 8:43:12 AM   
Elwood



Posts: 1512
Joined: 12/11/2001
From: Wayne, NJ,
Status: offline 		Just when does the liner peel off? I am looking at my .46 FX with grave concern...

_____________________________

Born in the U.S.A.......Not quite as long ago as Art!!!!!!!

(in reply to FCC)
       Post #: 11

Thunder Tiger... Very Bad Service - 1/25/2002 9:14:04 AM   
gubbs3



Posts: 1403
Joined: 12/8/2001
From: Coon Rapids, MN, USA
Status: offline 		I have had nothing but good luck with EVERY business I've had problems with. I have a Force Pro .12 car engine that has never run, I sent it in. They replaced the piston/sleeve and rod. Turns out, it was faulty carb that wouldn't pull the low speed needle out of the jet when throttle was applied. It ran great at idle and up to about 1/3 throttle, then it leaned out. Ran at 350*!!! I still can't decide if I should throw it away or not. Maybe I'll get an O.S. carb and put it into a small plane.

(in reply to FCC)
       Post #: 12

Thunder Tiger... Very Bad Service - 1/25/2002 8:57:05 PM   
jjkplace


 

Posts: 34
Joined: 1/7/2002
From: northern ca
Status: offline 		dont worry about your 46fx, i have two f them with almost 30 gallons apiece and have had no problems. the problem is not heat but the bonding proccess for the hard chrome at the point of manufacturer. this has since been changed. < this is from Clarence Lee (RCM)

(in reply to FCC)
       Post #: 13

??? - 1/27/2002 5:57:40 AM   
ec121k


 

Posts: 255
Joined: 12/27/2001
From: Conestoga, PA, USA
Status: offline 		Back to the original problem. I wonder if this is the same FCC that is in Pakistan. If so, that is probably why he contacted Taiwan.

(in reply to FCC)
       Post #: 14

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