Weidemann / Perkins coolant issue. Poor after sales.

[Garan1]

Hi all, our weidermann 4080t telehandler (Perkins engine) which we bought new from Gwili jones in 2020 had 6 coolant pipe bursts over a period of around 1200 hrs whilst the machine was in warranty. The last 3 bursts were within 100 hours of each other. Gwili jones came to repair the pipe each time, but did not try to find the cause of why it was bursting. after the sixth burst we told the dealer (again) to look into why this was happening, they finally took machine into the workshop, stripped the engine down and found damage to the engine due to overheating. Suprise, suprise they won't pay out for the damage as they say it's driver error. On all 6 occasions the machine was stopped as soon as light came on. 2 of the bursts happened whilst driving between farms on a busy/whindy B road.
Dealers currently have machine.


Thoughts on what you'd do in this situation?

 

[ccp contracting]

I have a customer with a 3080 , fantastic machine punches well above its weight but back up from Weidermann is not very good .

 

[Garan1]

I have a customer with a 3080 , fantastic machine punches well above its weight but back up from Weidermann is not very good .

Agree, very poor attitude from them, won't even speak to me on the phone about the issue. Also Gwili hafod service has been diabolical. Would never buy another machine off these cowboys again.

 

[manfromhill]

Hi
On second 4080 and gave to say backup from my dealers been good
First one had a problem with starters and they got the uk weidemann guy out to come to work out the issue
Were the hoses splitting ?

 

[Garan1]

Hi
On second 4080 and gave to say backup from my dealers been good
First one had a problem with starters and they got the uk weidemann guy out to come to work out the issue
Were the hoses splitting ?

Hi
On second 4080 and gave to say backup from my dealers been good
First one had a problem with starters and they got the uk weidemann guy out to come to work out the issue
Were the hoses splitting ?

Near engine compartment, I'm not entirely sure without checking records, Gwili came out and changed clip and did a better job of it each time and then pipe was blowing in other places. And tbh, the machine was under warranty the whole time so I left it to Gwili hafods what I thought capable hands.

 

[box]

It's the oldest trick in the mechanic rulebook - blame the damage on overheating, blame the customer.

It doesn't take a rocket mechanic to come to the conclusion that the (faulty) engine has been over pressurising the cooling system (from new?) causing airlocks and blowing hoses which has caused overheating.

Tell them to sort their sh!t out, otherwise take it further up the chain of command (i.e. to the manufacturer) until you find someone that listens.

 

[Pistonbroke]

Could be something as simple as a radiator cap that started the problem. Head gasket next weak point I suppose

 

[lloyd]

You need a log of the hours each time the problem occurred.
Did you keep the radiator clean throughout this period?

 

[Garan1]

It's the oldest trick in the mechanic rulebook - blame the damage on overheating, blame the customer.

It doesn't take a rocket mechanic to come to the conclusion that the (faulty) engine has been over pressurising the cooling system (from new?) causing airlocks and blowing hoses which has caused overheating.

Tell them to sort their sh!t out, otherwise take it further up the chain of command (i.e. to the manufacturer) until you find someone that listens.

In the process of taking it further. I won't be giving in.

 

[betweenthelines]

Take the bu**ers to court. They should have investigated when the problem first came up.

 

[Garan1]

Take the bu**ers to court. They should have investigated when the problem first came up.

Yes, that's what I've said all along but they're blaming the damage to the engine on driver error (not stopping engine soon enough)

 

[manfromhill]

Was there a low water warning first or just a temp warning

 

[Garan1]

Was there a low water warning first or just a temp warning

Just temp

 

[Garan1]

You need a log of the hours each time the problem occurred.
Did you keep the radiator clean throughout this period?

Yes it's all on warranty report. And Rad blown out regular

 

[lloyd]

What was the damage to the engine that was found?
Was the coolant level dropping in between pipe bursts?

 

[Garan1]

What was the damage to the engine that was found?
Was the coolant level dropping in between pipe bursts?

Cracked head, damaged pistons. Pipe was blowing off on joint so fair amount of coolant was lost quickly. Obviously then topped up after they repaired joint/pipe.

 

[lloyd]

Cracked head, damaged pistons. Pipe was blowing off on joint so fair amount of coolant was lost quickly. Obviously then topped up after they repaired joint/pipe.

Ouch sounds expensive I feel for you chap.