Midlake Crisis
Site Supporter
- Location
- Bakersfield, CA
This is for what it is worth for anyone buying from Mean_Green.
10/1/14 I purchased a used 62T/62T Ported Motor advertised as ready to run bored to 760, Modded Carbs, and FLAME Ignition from Mean_Green for $2000 cash. Seller was very cooperative, made what I thought was a great deal, and even went out of his way to deliver the motor to me at work since he was going to be in town for other reasons.Everything sat on my workbench through Winter, there are no excuses from me for not discovering the following issues sooner, with my schedule it just worked out that way.In February of this year I started checking everything out and immediately started running in to little things –missing studs on intake manifold, no flame arrestors, adaptor openings don’t match carb throat, no big deal but made me want to inspect things more closely. and I am glad I did. The internal damage I discovered was the last straw, so on 3/27/15 I sent him the following:
3/27/15
“I wanted to let you know that the motor you sold me was not usable. The crank had wet rust on the bottom of the bearings, as if it had been left sitting with salt water in the crank case, and one cylinder and piston had heavy scoring. The Flame ignition module also will not connect to the computer, even with a brand new data cable and software. Since I have no way of editing the timing curves or even knowing what curve is currently on it (assuming that it works at all) it is of little value if any. Would you let me know if you have any thoughts on making this right, or explaining your position on the situation?
After many failed attempts to have a meaningful discussion about what he thought was fair under the circumstances I sent him the following message on 4/8/15:
4/8/15
“I have no desire to smear you but I also don't want to continue to be delayed or ignored, so I am going to cut my losses and take this to the feedback section of the forums if I don't hear back from you very soon. Any public feedback will acknowledge the pros and cons of the transaction, and my part in letting it sit on the bench so long before discovering the problems. I appreciated the delivery to Bakersfield very much, and the price seemed very good for what I expected to receive if it had been in working order and as described. On the other hand the items were not as described, and the difficulty with getting you to communicate with me about it are aggravating. I haven't tried to demand anything but have only asked you to either make things right or explain your side. Here are the issues that I think need to be addressed by you: 1) The cylinder and piston damage and rust on the crank that you were either unaware of or did not disclose. I don't know when or who inspected it for you before the sale but contrary to your description I received a damaged motor. 2) The bore is at 81mm, which is stock for a 701, not "bored over to760" as was described. Not a huge deal but why call it a 760? 3) The FLAME ignition functionality - I have not installed it in a ski but itwill not connect to a computer for setting of timing curve. I have done the legwork on it, with extensive communication with ATP and even a thread onX-H2o. I have used a brand new cable and software, 4 different drivers, and 2 computers without success. This is an important function even if it does work (which is suspect, but I have no way of verifying at this point). One thing we agree on already is that $2k is a lot for either of us to have to eat. I am willing to return the FLAME and any or all of the rest of the parts to you for a fair price, or to hear whatever else you propose that you think would be fair. If you think it is fair for me to take the entire loss, please have the courtesy to say that directly, and if you give reasons why you think that is fair I will include them in any public feedback I leave. Please reply promptly, I need to get my Superjet on the water and can't make any moves on it until this issue is resolved. I don't want to eat it but if I do have to eat it I will describe fairly and accurately the entire ordeal for the rest of the forum members. Respectfully,”
4/13/15
Mean_Green responded initially by ignoring me, then delaying, making excuses for delays, then escalated to accusing me of lying, and finally cussing me out and telling me not to contact him anymore.
This motor was stored inside my garage on has never even had a starter hooked up to it since I received it. It is in the exact condition that I got it from Mean_Green. The Flame ignition has not even been tried in a ski, but does not connect to the computer.
I can’t read Mean_Green's mind or know for sure whether or not he knew about these issues, but his response has been ignoring, then disrespectful leading up to hostile, and I am left with a very expensive pile of parts to spend more money on to try and make them work, or maybe just completely start over.
My fault for the delay, the rest is on Mean_Green.
Regrets, and buyer beware.
10/1/14 I purchased a used 62T/62T Ported Motor advertised as ready to run bored to 760, Modded Carbs, and FLAME Ignition from Mean_Green for $2000 cash. Seller was very cooperative, made what I thought was a great deal, and even went out of his way to deliver the motor to me at work since he was going to be in town for other reasons.Everything sat on my workbench through Winter, there are no excuses from me for not discovering the following issues sooner, with my schedule it just worked out that way.In February of this year I started checking everything out and immediately started running in to little things –missing studs on intake manifold, no flame arrestors, adaptor openings don’t match carb throat, no big deal but made me want to inspect things more closely. and I am glad I did. The internal damage I discovered was the last straw, so on 3/27/15 I sent him the following:
3/27/15
“I wanted to let you know that the motor you sold me was not usable. The crank had wet rust on the bottom of the bearings, as if it had been left sitting with salt water in the crank case, and one cylinder and piston had heavy scoring. The Flame ignition module also will not connect to the computer, even with a brand new data cable and software. Since I have no way of editing the timing curves or even knowing what curve is currently on it (assuming that it works at all) it is of little value if any. Would you let me know if you have any thoughts on making this right, or explaining your position on the situation?
After many failed attempts to have a meaningful discussion about what he thought was fair under the circumstances I sent him the following message on 4/8/15:
4/8/15
“I have no desire to smear you but I also don't want to continue to be delayed or ignored, so I am going to cut my losses and take this to the feedback section of the forums if I don't hear back from you very soon. Any public feedback will acknowledge the pros and cons of the transaction, and my part in letting it sit on the bench so long before discovering the problems. I appreciated the delivery to Bakersfield very much, and the price seemed very good for what I expected to receive if it had been in working order and as described. On the other hand the items were not as described, and the difficulty with getting you to communicate with me about it are aggravating. I haven't tried to demand anything but have only asked you to either make things right or explain your side. Here are the issues that I think need to be addressed by you: 1) The cylinder and piston damage and rust on the crank that you were either unaware of or did not disclose. I don't know when or who inspected it for you before the sale but contrary to your description I received a damaged motor. 2) The bore is at 81mm, which is stock for a 701, not "bored over to760" as was described. Not a huge deal but why call it a 760? 3) The FLAME ignition functionality - I have not installed it in a ski but itwill not connect to a computer for setting of timing curve. I have done the legwork on it, with extensive communication with ATP and even a thread onX-H2o. I have used a brand new cable and software, 4 different drivers, and 2 computers without success. This is an important function even if it does work (which is suspect, but I have no way of verifying at this point). One thing we agree on already is that $2k is a lot for either of us to have to eat. I am willing to return the FLAME and any or all of the rest of the parts to you for a fair price, or to hear whatever else you propose that you think would be fair. If you think it is fair for me to take the entire loss, please have the courtesy to say that directly, and if you give reasons why you think that is fair I will include them in any public feedback I leave. Please reply promptly, I need to get my Superjet on the water and can't make any moves on it until this issue is resolved. I don't want to eat it but if I do have to eat it I will describe fairly and accurately the entire ordeal for the rest of the forum members. Respectfully,”
4/13/15
Mean_Green responded initially by ignoring me, then delaying, making excuses for delays, then escalated to accusing me of lying, and finally cussing me out and telling me not to contact him anymore.
This motor was stored inside my garage on has never even had a starter hooked up to it since I received it. It is in the exact condition that I got it from Mean_Green. The Flame ignition has not even been tried in a ski, but does not connect to the computer.
I can’t read Mean_Green's mind or know for sure whether or not he knew about these issues, but his response has been ignoring, then disrespectful leading up to hostile, and I am left with a very expensive pile of parts to spend more money on to try and make them work, or maybe just completely start over.
My fault for the delay, the rest is on Mean_Green.
Regrets, and buyer beware.
