jetpack

My Feedback: (1)

I am very disappointed with the lack of response and poor website, and theres basically a total collapse of help with that company MECOA.

I've been debating if I should just sell off all my KB motors than have to deal with MECOA.

You cannot find a price or anything on parts, its all based on "thread response". When you break or think of adding spares its a guess in the dark about the entire matter.

Is KB even MAKING new motors, or are they just plugging along and using up "product over-runs" that they have in stock? I feel like we are being kept in the dark about that whole company.

That thread about the person with the broken 3.5 con-rod and had no response from MECOA just adds to my suspicions.

piper_chuck

My Feedback: (12)

Without stating my opinion on the way MECOA is handling the K&B line, I'll just add that you can find parts and prices on all of their current engines from their web site. Can you find parts for older, non-production engines on their site? Probably not, but you can't do so for many other manufacturers, so nothing's different. If you don't want to deal with MECOA, but still want K&B parts, call someone like G&M models at 630-279-2451. There are several others who also carry K&B parts and can also help with older engines.

jetpack

My Feedback: (1)

Thanks Chuck for the contacts, but there should be at least some type of price reference to all of it somewhere. I know they have produced many, many varieties of their motors and if you dont have the original instructions your pretty much a gonner with what things should cost or what part number they are. K/B part numbers are a total mess to have to look at, and good luck determining what variety you have in your hand when you go to pursue such a thing.

I like K/B motors and proud they are still made in USA, but its just another example of a company that falls not because of quality, but poor performance on organization and customer service abilities. Seems their "books" all have too loose of bindings in that regard. I am a frustrated owner not because of quality or price, its having to deal with a "ghost" of a company.

Ron Olson

My Feedback: (1)

you're beter off dealing with sellers of K*B engines and parts than with them directly. Since the buy-out and the move to California I've heard of horror stories with this company, especially with the person handling the phones. One person like that can drive a company into the ground.
They have a both every year at the Toledo show. Maybe you'd like to pay them a little visit in person.

Believe It

i ordered a new head button and new piston/sleeve set for my 67 motor right through the website and had no issues at all. Recieved them in less then a week.

LES301M

I also bought some rebuild stuff for my old 3.5 without any problems. I have not called them, So I can't comment on the phone service.
The website was pretty clear about what parts were in stock, etc... and pricing. I did have to dig through the online parts list, Mine was a old motor.

oldlugs

My only complaint about the K&B marine line, is that they're no longer catering to the racer like they were when the K&B folks actually raced boats themselves. Their marine engines are now very old-fashioned... Time to develop some modern race engines!

ozbryan

i have to agree with jet paks comment of " a ghost company" when i tried to order 7.5 out board they told me a couple of weeks months later i had to email them as to whats happening. it took up to a week to get a reply at times over my 6 MONTH wait for a motor that i canceled my order on.

when i have ordered spares i have got them straight away but as for new motors......... and the lack of info ans customer service! i work in customer service and i would loose my job if i worked the way that company is run.

jetpack

My Feedback: (1)

two weeks have past since i posted a simple question at KB/Mecoa website concerning the availability/existence of an exhaust adapter for a 3.5 - no response. sad.

rcboater671

ON THE DEFENSE OF MECOA FIRST OF ALL AT LEAST WE HAVE SOME SORT OF PARTS SUPPLY FOR OUR K&BS WHICH IS BETTER THAN NONE AND AS FAR AS LOOKOING UP PARTS ON THERE WEB SITE I HAVE HAD NO TROUBLE AND WHEN I DID HAVE QUESTIONS THE GENTLEMAN ON THE PHONE (WHICH IS THE ONE YOU NEED TO TALK TO ) WAS ALWAYS ABLE TO IDENTIFY MY ENGINES BY SIMPLY MEASURING PARTS IN THE ENGINES BUT I WILL AGREE THEY NEED TO BUILD SOME HIGHER OUT PUT MOTORS TO COMPETE WITH SAY MAC AND PICCO AND OPS

moparbarn

i ordered parts for my .21 obs about the same time you started this thread.new on this site (as you know), so i just found it. i printed 2 different parts/price lists off the mecoa site. one had current part#s, prices and availability, and the other listed old and new part #s, and model # applications. also, some supercessions. when i figured out what i needed, i called on the phone and had no trouble ordering. got my parts in about 4 days. some for an older 12mm crank motor, and some for my 13mm crank/prather mod motor. both were ebay specials, so i had no paper work to help id them. the web site did that ok, just by researching. i have not ordered online, or tried to ask a question on their site, so i can't comment. one list(prices) is the shopping cart one, and the application list is the "3.5CC (.21 CU. IN.) ENGINE" parts list. hope this helps, though a little late to the party

stempak

they always seemed slower and not up to par compared to a O.S etc. put the prices and hp claims reflect that. but they are the roots of boating when gas seems to be taking over. there still good looking motors

jetpack

My Feedback: (1)

There's really not a quality issue vs price, they are reasonable in both of those aspects. I found out what eventually happened to my order after 2 months of waiting that contained three emails to them to reply spaced a week apart. Turns out my bank changed names and cancelled the card number I had that I used to order my parts with. It took me three attempts and all that time to find out they just rejected my order without returning contact with me about it.

I would have never started this post if this isnt the second time out of three I was lost in their system without them contacting me what the problem was. And who wants to call them if they charge me by the minute with a return call appointment only situation. Thats screwy.

I'm just glad someone's having good luck with them but so far my odd's havent been that good.

gooycheese

From what Ive been told the Phone number Piper put up I think is Gary Preusse's company (I'm not 100% sure) but if it is he is suppose to be "The Best K&B parts guy around". He is suppose to be better than the manufacturer, at getting the parts that you need and in a good time frame.


Paul

piper_chuck

My Feedback: (12)

Yes, G&M is Gary Preusse.

Ron Olson

My Feedback: (1)

Yes, 630-279-2451 is Gary Preusse's number. Dave yourself the hassle of ordering through K&B and call him or one of the other K&B delaers. Joe Monohan of 707 Specialties is another.