I had a Magnum 70 4 stroke that had a stuck valve. While trying to free it the valve came loose from the spring. I had several post here on how to put the keepers back on the valve stem. Well, in the process I lost the spring. Called Hobbypeople as that is where I bought the engine. They said that I could buy a spring from them.. Then the gentleman who I was talking with said that the engine was still in warranty and send it in to them. I did that the following day, they received it Jan 4th 2010. Got a call today saying tht it was going to be 130+ dollars but they would make it 119.00. Told them that when I called that they said it was in warranty. Well you know the rest of the story, they are right and I am wrong. I was then transferred to another person and he said that he would reduce it to 70.00. I told them to keep the engine. Would have never sent it in if I was told it would not be covered by warranty.. What is the old saying "buyer beware" I have purchased 4 or 5 engines from them. Guess I will look at another brand.

Gene,
 I've fired off an email to Mike Greenshields who is part of Hobby People's customer service. Hopefully he'll be able to help you out.

Ken

$130??? A brand new engine is $139.99 right now.

Call global services and have them "review" whole process. That isn't like them at all. Call them and or send them an Email

<div>-Farrell
</div><font face="Times New Roman">Global Services
18480 Bandilier Cir
Fountain Valley CA 92708

Ph: 714-963-0329 (9 AM-3 PM PST, M-F)
Fx: 714-964-6236
Email: [email protected]

Farrell is the guy I just delt with on a Retract Issue and they refunded my full purchase price.

By the way, they have some funky business hours, something like 9am to 3PMPST

Good luck.

Don</font>

Here is a copy of the letter that was sent to Hobbypeople. The gentleman said to outline what was wrong with the engine.

Hobby People
Magnum Service
18480 Bandilier Circle
Fountain Valley, CA 92708


Gene Hubbard
6991 E. Genesee Rd.
Litchfield, MI 49252

12/30/09


Sir:

Please find enclosed one Magnum 4 stroke Model XL70. I believe that I purchased this approximately 2 years ago. I sent in the green registration but I can’t find my half of the copy. This was purchased from Hobby People. The engine had a stuck valve and when I was getting it free the valve keepers came off. I have been unable to get them back on. In the process of trying I lost the valve spring. Was wondering if you could fix this for me? This was one of the engines that had weak springs and was sent to you for repair, which you did. When you replace the spring can you check and make sure they are OK. Also would you check the timing as I removed the cam lobes? I think I have it right but want to make sure. Magnum is the only 4 stroke engines I fly. I have the 52’s, 70, 91 and 180 and they all work great.

Thank you,



Gene Hubbard

BTW—Happy New Year

Here is a post when I was having the valve keeper problem. You will notice that I said this was one of the 70's that had weak valve spring and they replace them. Then the person said we don't have any record of your engine. Hummmm!!! they did when they replaced the valve springs. They also sent in the return engine a break down of WOT and Idle speed, said every thing checked OK

To late Gray Beard. I lost the ***** spring. If flew outside the bag. Guess I will be sending it to Magnum Service (Hobby People) I don't kown what caused the valves to set up. I have not used the engine for almost a year. It is only (maybe) 2 years old. It was going on my Spot on 50. Just have to wait until they do what they are going to do. This was one of the 70's that had weak valve springs and they replaced them. They are good people. Have a Happy New Year.
Gene

You are not alone, my 52 had weak springs and bad seats. The seats probably went bad fromthe weak springs.
But Iwas able to get it repaired under warranty and the compression is fine now.

Just use OS springs and replace them yourself - springs available at Hobby Warehouse

I don't have the engine, told Hobbypeople to keep it.

Call them up and tell them to send it back - Dont give up a good engine

I'm not going to pay their price when I was told it was under warranty. I'll go with OS

It's funny, I have about 6 or 7 magnum 4 strokes, in fact the only brand that I have. I have talked many club members into buying them. Guess I will have to be spokesman for another company.

I have one and I love as its on one of our new drop planes and I had the weak spring thing and just changed them myself and adjusted the valves and runs like a top

I'll be honest all of my Magnums run great. The only problem I had was with this 70 that had weak springs and you couldn't get any top end. Hobbypeople replaced the springs, tuned it up and it ran great. Then I didn't use it for a long time and one of the valves stuck open, so no compression. When I tried to free the valve up the valve keepers came off and I couldn't get them back on. I even called Hobbypeople and they sent me their instructions and how to put them one. Even said they could do it. Well then I lost a spring and called them again. that's where the problem began.

I hate bad shopping experiences. Although I am one of those who doesn't have a lot of those. Hope it all works out for you. I have to say I would have told them to keep it but I may have added a place they should put it also.

Ah!!! that probably wouldn't work. I think it still had the prop on it.

If you lost your paperwork, you might be out of luck. Buying engines requires you to send in the registration form, here is the problem:
When you call them, ah, we have no paperwork on your engine.
Ah, we can fix it for you for a cost plus shipping.
I have a lot of engines, brand new , never ran, and did not send in the Guarentee card they require.
They don't keep a record of that S***, they deal in millions of engines.
I have yet to send an engine to them for repair, when I can order the parts and do it myself.
You are better off doing it yourself and avoid the shipping costs both ways.
If you don't know about how to do it, ask a club member, someone knows.
I know what frustration you are going through, you buy something, with the thought it's OK for 2-3 years, WRONG!
They will get into your wallet as soon as you call them.

I don't care who you are ...thats funny!

that would give a new definition to the word, "prop reamer"

Heck Gene, I figure the prop is worth more then the Magnum Engine. I have mentioned before what I think of them. BUt the price is right!!!!!!

Hi. Why didn't you mention in your letter that you were informed that this would be covered under warranty?.
I wish car dealers had this arrangement. "er - sorrymate - my car is almost 3 years old. I decided to replace my pistons but I lost one, can you just fix it for me, re-tune it and drive it back home for me? oh yer - it's under warranty - right"

I've had great post sale service from Hobbypeople.net. I had the set screw thay holds in the LSN housing vibrate out somehow and couldn't use the engine (bought it used with a plane) . I called them to ask if I could purchase a few. They took my info and went ahead and sent one to me, no charge for the piece or shipping and no questions. I'll buy from them again, and in fact an order is brewing right now.

I have also had great service from Hobbypeople, and will continue doing bussiness with them.

I guess I didn't think it would be a problem about the warranty. It was the gentleman on the phone that said it was under warranty, send it in. All he ask was that in the note to tell them what was wrong with it. I guess I should have included that in my letter, what is the old saying CYA.

I sent it in, just could not find my copy. The warranty card had two parts. one for them and one for you. They said they didn't have any indication that I purchased the engine from them. They had it when they replaced the weak valve springs.

goirish,

          Why did valve stick to begin with?   

Even weak springs should not keep valves from working although they might not seal they should still move freely.

Are you using castor as a lubricant?  2 years running is time to gum/glaze an engine, you might consider using synthetic lubricants. Just keep it rich.

Good Luck!
                                                                    Oscar


                                           It's what you learn after you know it all that really counts. (Junior Johnson)


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