Who's liable for the damage caused?

Devin LeBlanc

Devin LeBlanc

Banned
Apr 7, 2010
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Las Vegas NV.
Hey all, so tonight I decided to pull my turbo off so I could bring the manifold over to my work, my brothers shop first thing in the morning so he could weld on a external waste gate flange.

I am NA-T so my oil filter is directly on the block, so to do an oil change I have to remove the AFM and turbo inlet hose every time. I do oil changes every 2000 miles, yes sooner than normal due to no oil cooler and the oil degrading faster from excess heat. Anyways I did an oil change about 1400 miles ago and every time I always check shaft play of the turbo. It is a stock CT26 recently rebuilt from Turbo & Electric sales and service co. In Phoenix, AZ I'd say 14,000 miles ago at tops. Lsat oil change it had the normal few thousands of radial play just how I got it and absolutely no thrust (axial) play.

So tonight first thing I remove is the AFM and turbo inlet hose and check shaft play, yep as normal hardly no radial play, grab the shaft and pull on it, HOLY SHIT..... probably 1/8th inch of thrust (Axial) play. Now Im pissed so I continue to remove the upper intercooler pipe (driftmotion FMIC set for the 7M with the Hong Kong Sport SSQV type BOV) down pipe and unhook the AN lines to the turbo and pull the turbo off.

As Im doing this Im running everything through my mind that has changed in the last 1400 miles, well nothing comes to mind, still running the same boost 12 PSI dropping to 11 ish since It has been tuned on E85. Im finally sitting on my computer and think, hmm wonder if that HKS clone BOV failed again (Yes Im on my 3rd replacement from Aaron at driftmotion) so I go out and grab the snap ring pliers and pop the BOV off the upper pipe, remove the back section and man I sure as hell guessed right, melted broken check valve for the diaphragm again for the 3rd time!

I always run the SSQV without the whistle piece in it because I think it sounds homo and fan boyish, must be to mad JDM tyte for my taste. Part throttle on boost then let off it always compressor surged a little bit, Nothing that would cause any damage. At WOT to 0 throttle it would blow off hard and loud. Well I guess when it doesn't open at all it sounds the same loud PSH through the air filter with a little bit of compressor surge after.. Always sounded the same, so didn't notice anything different. So I hooked up a vacuum pump to a tank and built up 30 in hg of vacuum, hooked it up to the valve and released it, hmm nothing just a quick leak valve didn't open at all. Seeing my motor pulls 24 in hg of vacuum on decel I figured 30 inches would be plenty. So now im stuck with my 3rd driftmoton HKS clone blow off valve that has broken and now caused damage to my freshly rebuild CT26.

Aaron told me that he has used and sold tons of them and only had one come back because the valve seat broke. Well I think that is complete bull shit and a lie, The placement on the upper pipe being directly above the turbo just melts the plastic check valve inside. That is the hottest part in the engine compartment, why don't they move it above the air filter or AFM further down on the pipe.

Either way its to late now, so what do you think about this situation, who should be responsible? Driftmotion or am I completely screwed? Im pretty pissed about it, being the 3rd valve that he has never had any problems with that work great for hundreds that he has sold.

Ugh I just vented I think, no homo....

Im also bringing my upper intercooler pipe to the shop tomorrow so the BOV flange can be blocked off and Ill get a new flange welded to the bottom cold pipe near the intercooler inside the bumper away from the heat how it should be.

grr :: angry ::


Edit: Pics added

BOV 1 failure: this one the aluminum valve shaft was completely broken off.

p1734964_1.jpg


p1734964_2.jpg


p1734964_3.jpg


BOV 2 failure: Melted and cracked check valve

p1734964_4.jpg


BOV 3 failure: Check valve and O ring just sitting in top hat when I removed it, melted...

p1734964_5.jpg


p1734964_6.jpg



Thanks,
Devin LeBlanc
 
Last edited:
crisp

crisp

existentialincrementalist
May 25, 2007
1,785
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Ohio
Devin,

Just curious, does the "knock-off" BOV instructions TELL you to place it in that location where there is so much heat?


At the end of the day, the ONLY possible "liability" (and that's using the term "loosely") is for the COMPONENT that failed itself, NOT the other parts that were "damaged" (i.e.: turbo, etc...) and even then, I don't know that DM is responsible beyond MANUFACTURING DEFECT, etc... with the BOV piece. IF it were in a "less hot" location, would it have failed?

I'm just wondering... because even GENUINE HKS BOV's placed RIGHT in the line of heat CAN fail...


On another note, using "knock-off" components may be cheaper initially... but I'd also have to question the composition of the parts and overall durability compared to the genuine thing. I've had my HKS BOV on the IC pipe just IN FRONT of the compressor housing, so NOT AS hot, but still in the line of a lot of manifold heat, and no issues for many years...


Also curious... NO NOTABLE "herky-jerky" back-lash through the drive train when you are ON/OFF throttle and have surge without the blow-off? On my setup, I'd DEFINITELY notice a "NO BLOW" situation immediately, and the "back-pressure" would DEFINITELY be a huge shock to the turbo...


At any rate... sounds frustrating. G/L and perhaps a genuine article in a new location and you'll be set?



-crisp
 
Devin LeBlanc

Devin LeBlanc

Banned
Apr 7, 2010
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Hi crisp, The fact that the driftmotion intercooler kit is sold with this blow off valve and the flange already welded onto the pipe directly above the turbo is what gets me.

Thanks,
Devin
 
mkiiichip

mkiiichip

New Member
Sep 10, 2007
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I think its ridiculous, you want someone else to be liable for your use and destruction of cheap china parts. Grow up, with your experience being around a shop, you should have already learned that customers like that SUCK.

The reason Aaron likely does not get many of them back, is because it makes sense to upgrade when that crap breaks. and if you dont, your turbo is at risk.
 
Devin LeBlanc

Devin LeBlanc

Banned
Apr 7, 2010
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I completely understand it, Im not asking for a hand out obviously I'm just trying to save other people from this happening to them. How am I destroying them?

There are other people on the forum here that have had the same issue after some research. At the least I want a refund for the crappy bov. Im sure tons of other people do to.

Tial 50mm is going on once I rebuild the turbo
 
Devin LeBlanc

Devin LeBlanc

Banned
Apr 7, 2010
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Having the heat shields on will help I agree 100% however having the Blow off valve placed directly above the turbo is wrong. On all our piping setups we usually put it in the bumper. Heat shields or not, Vegas 118F days, A/C on, water temps 200 degree's under hood temps are ridiculous and that alone is enough to melt the thin plastic, Am I supposed to put a heat shield over the compressor housing?

Either way I need it running so rebuilding it and sending the center section to G pop shop to get balanced.
 
I

IJ.

Grumpy Old Man
Mar 30, 2005
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I come from a land down under
If you identified it as a potential issue it was up to you to correct it before running it as delivered.
(I buy a LOT of things I believe aren't done correctly but always address the problem before I use it)
 
Devin LeBlanc

Devin LeBlanc

Banned
Apr 7, 2010
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haha, Thats definitely a compliment. :)

G pop shop only charges 65.00 for balancing so ill just send it to them, I think ill be able to just replace the thrust washer as I caught it soon enough.
 
Devin LeBlanc

Devin LeBlanc

Banned
Apr 7, 2010
1,830
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Las Vegas NV.
Poodles;1734983 said:
Look at where the stocker is located...
Click to expand...

You're right, maybe its just aftermarket BOV's that have an issue. Even the authentic HKS BOV's have the same issues.

---------- Post added at 04:08 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:05 AM ----------

Whoops, Radial instead of Axial. Thrust is Axial.

Edited.
 
D.J.T.

D.J.T.

Member
Aug 25, 2010
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Arkansas, United States
I'm on my 3rd BOV as well but not from driftmotion. I bought one from Driftmotion though & i decided i would just return it & i need the money for the MK2 anyways. It was 100% brand new unused & its been almost a month & NO REFUND! I even got a call a day after they received the BOV & i confirmed i wanted a refund. I am not happy with Driftmotion. I call & call & send emails & i get no reply. I call in private once & i got told they been behind on refunds & that they would call me back & i gave my number. So far no one has called me back. & boy if they behind on refunds for a month thats bad business.. :icon_frow
 
Flateric

Flateric

New Member
Mar 26, 2008
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Calgary, Alberta, Canada
I have had zero issues with my dealings with DM. I Would infact rate them very highly in every respect. I'm not saying your not having issues. Just pointing out I have had excellent service and support and have made many and large purchases from them.
 
E

Enraged

A HG job took HOW long??
Mar 30, 2005
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Victoria, BC, Canada
My genuine HKS BOV failed, and I am running a FFIM. I changed to a Synapse because I could get it within a day and didn't require welding my powdercoated IC pipes.
 
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