Ventzel
Senior Niva Petrol Head
Posts: 412
Registered: Aug 3, 2010 22:30:24 GMT 2
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Post by Ventzel on Mar 7, 2011 22:04:36 GMT 2
Hi Dannie,
I believe you are very disappointed when you discovered that these bloody vampires, the local parts suppliers didn't heavily load the purchase price on pirate water pumps and then sell it as so called "original Lada parts". Congratulations, not everyone has such an imagination. You were sure you were right. I can imagine your anger.
Sorry for your private investigation which failed. But don't give up. Try again next time. As I can see you are deeply motivated to fight to the end in your attempts to ruin them. It's pointless but obviously you have lot of spare time and nerves. Go ahead. But let me whisper something - the agents do not care if they have to abandon Ladas, they are ready for this day and they have their parallel jobs, but the car owners do care. But it's curious because you never use their service and what is the real reason being furious???
Finally - some statistics (I can speak only for myself) - no one Lada in my area has been stripped or scrapped, on the contrary - I rebuild some. And all Ladas in my area which I supported since 1997 are still on the road, including your own car Dannie. Which make me proud with that unique achievement. And all clients are happy excluding you Dannie, even you still drive your Lada, despite your drastic modifications. But it is all your problem, not mine.
I hope the other forum members will understand correctly both attitudes.
Good night.
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Post by danie on Mar 8, 2011 6:14:31 GMT 2
Hi Ventz With reference to Autozone, "the bloody vampires" you are referring to - you are making a big mistake , they definately do not sell the waterpumps as "original" parts. And you are making another mistake - I was not "angry" like you have mentioned - in fact, I was very exited about the fact that cheaper waterpumps are indeed available at the local market . In fact, I am quite sure more local owners are quite exited as well ! I see my Lada activities as a hobby - that's all. I would never be involved if I did not like the Lada - and since I bought the car I have seen many owners come and go - simply because in the end they were not interested in paying this unusual high prices for spare parts. If it wasn't for the fact that one of the owners told me about the Russian supplier, I definately would also have sold my Lada long ago ! Since I discovered the Russian supplier, I realized that there is absolutely no reason to sell my Lada, because one can definately get spare parts at more affordable prices. I therefore decided to let everyone know about the supplier, because I hoped that more Lada owners will start keeping their Ladas, instead of dumping it at the local market shortly after they bought the cars. Also - no one of the three local suppliers have ever been very supportive at the Locsa forum - in helping the owners to keep their cars going. As far as my "investigation which has failed" is concerned _ I am not sure what you are referring to. Can you please explain Lastly, I do not have as much time to spend here like you seem to think. That is one of the reasons why I decided to resign as Moderator. I have to go no - and hope to hear from you. Danie
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Post by marius on Mar 8, 2011 8:35:36 GMT 2
Hi Danie and Ventz I am a big supporter of freedom of speech and it is a good thing to have an open discussion about issues. I know and except that many of our members are extremely uncomfortable to address certain issues and I respect that. For those of us who feel the need to address these issues - let's try not to turn these issues into a mud fest. Lets try and keep it civil. I know it is sometimes easier said than done We are all part of a larger family and for LOCSA and Lada to succeed we need to work together. Like any other family we can have our difference of opinion and even argue - but we all need each other and we need to be able to rely on each other. As far as the "new" water pump is concerned it is great news that we have a much cheaper alternative. I have said it before - choice is a good thing. Regards Marius
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darryn
Veteran Niva Petrol Head
Ruchnoy Protivotankovyy Granatomyot
Posts: 713
Registered: Mar 5, 2010 21:50:09 GMT 2
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Post by darryn on Mar 8, 2011 15:18:26 GMT 2
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Post by Charles on Mar 8, 2011 17:40:04 GMT 2
Hier kom 'n ding
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Post by danie on Mar 8, 2011 18:21:16 GMT 2
Hi Marius / Darryn / Charles
Nothing to worry about - I am quite sure about that !
The more I think about Vent's comments, the more I am convinced that Ventz has a very good and healthy sense of (Bulgarian ?) humor.
In fact, and with respect - I do find his comments very funny !
And believe me, there is absolutely no hard feelings from my side. The Internet often is a very cruel communication medium, and a post can easily be misread.
Maybe we all just need some education in understanding the humor differences between different cultural groups . ;D
Danie
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spikes
Moderator
Posts: 3,689
Location: Mpumalanga
Town: Nelspruit
Registered: Apr 19, 2010 19:39:51 GMT 2
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Post by spikes on Mar 8, 2011 18:58:03 GMT 2
Hi all, My take or stand on this: I will use genuine Lada parts on SAFETY critical parts ie brakes master cylinder, brake pistons, steering components and will first get quotes from the local agents BUT if I can import cheaper, that is the route I will follow. As for other spares such as the water pump, my pocket/wallet calls the shot By local agents I refer to Ventz, Chris and Mike. regards all Spikes
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Ventzel
Senior Niva Petrol Head
Posts: 412
Registered: Aug 3, 2010 22:30:24 GMT 2
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Post by Ventzel on Mar 9, 2011 1:42:38 GMT 2
Well, if you can find it's funny, enjoy the fun. I can't see anything funny here; probably because I can't understand even my own sense of humor. But this is my problem.
When I mentioned "the bloody vampires" I meant the 3 Lada dealers including myself. At the forum we are known also as crooks, bloodsuckers, ridiculous, etc... and from today - even not helpful and funny. Almost nothing left from their reputation as people who work to keep the cars safely on the road. After so many attacks, of course everyone will be black like a devil. Ironically almost all these attacks come from a few members who never use their service. It is very easy like that. I personally can't remember complains from people we had deals together.
And the last week their loyalty for no particular reason was challenged in extremely rude manner. Let's see what we have here written down in black and white - everyone can read it.
Mar 4 at 6:58 pm > "I guess it might be worthwhile getting spare water pumps from Autozone before the local Lada spare parts suppliers start jumping at them."
Clear message to prevent any speculations with pirate spare parts from the local Lada spare parts suppliers. Well done. But Danie, why didn't you buy one of these pumps to show to everyone how good warrior are you against the speculations? Actually you are not interested in Lada pump, you don't need it. You have a new Fiat engine and a long project of modifications waits for your attention. You are giving good ideas but somebody else must purchase currently unwanted spares and keep them in stock for the near future. Somebody else must help you in your unknown little war.
Mar 4 at 7:26 pm > "The salesmen at Autozone are capable of telling exactly where and when any of their components have been sold previously. I will not be surprised if they often sell water pumps to the local Lada spare part suppliers - who then heavily load the purchase price, and then sell it as so called "original Lada parts". Watch this space for more info."
At the very next day the plan was in action - as I called it above - a private investigation. You received information from salesman's computer how many pomps (which you don't need) are in stock but more important - where and when any of these pumps have been sold previously. How did you receive this information which is for official use only I don't have idea and I don't care. For the motivated warrior there is no boundaries.
And the private investigations failed - the disappointing results showed that your suggestion is wrong. No one pump was re-sold from the Lada dealers as original. Please, see what exactly word I used - suggestion. Some other people could use stronger word - slander.
Now is my turn to laugh. Everything is very funny indeed.
Have a nice night.
V.
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excreamer
New Niva Petrol Head
Posts: 41
Registered: Mar 1, 2011 17:01:24 GMT 2
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Post by excreamer on Mar 9, 2011 3:25:03 GMT 2
geee someone needs to take a chill pill............................
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Post by danie on Mar 9, 2011 5:48:51 GMT 2
Hi Ventz
Thanks for your response - really appreciated.
Firstly - I hope you will accept my sincere apology about my "jumping for the Autozone waterpumps by the Suppliers " remark. I obviously failed badly to present and apology in this regard, which really makes me feel bad.
I must admit, I do have a very negative (sometimes unfair?) feeling against the local Suppliers - because I have seen too local owners who eventually got fed up about unusual high spare part prices locally, and eventually dumped their Ladas on the local market because of that. The recent R7000.00 quote on a starter, a quote for R4000.00 on two gearbox gears, as well as a R8000.00 - R12000.00 quote on a gearbox really got me hot under the collar, and I hope you will understand that these prices do not sound fair. In fact - I believe prices like that simply scares many possible Lada buyers completely off.
As far as the Autozone waterpumps are concerned - I do not need a waterpump at the moment, as my first short term priority is to install the Fiat engine, and get the car going. The waterpump on my Lada is fairly new, and I do hope to find a good Lada body in future to install the Lada engine, gearbox, and extra transfer box which are lying around in future.
While Autozone will be able to import more waterpumps in future, I guess there is no need to build up stock anyway.
Autozone do not see their stock quantities as "classified " information, and anyone should be able to get information in this regard from them. Bearing Man also did not have problems in this regard in the past, and at work we also do not see information like this as "classified". If any customer ask us exactly how many of any product is available at any given time, we do not have any problem in revealing information.
As far as my "warrior status" is concerned - yes , I remain dedicated to let everyone know about cheaper alternatives. To my mind that is the "key" to keep all owners happy, and to keep this Forum alive.
After all, I still love a Lada !
I hope you will understand, and accept my apology.
Regards
Danie
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Post by ronnie on Mar 9, 2011 10:18:36 GMT 2
Hi Ventz
A lot of what Danie say`s is 100% true. Apart from you who I have no problem with, I have only dealt with one other dealer. My wife bought me my Niva as a present and paid R60000 for it as it was REBUILT. I would have had no problem with this, but the Agent did not do much of the work which he advertised would be done. I do not know what you would call this but I call it THEFT. I do of course have photographic evidence to back up my statements. This is what makes people become DIY as it is the only way to prevent being ripped off, which appears to be prevalent in the motor industry.
Ronnie
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Post by Charles on Mar 29, 2011 17:57:29 GMT 2
Danie are you going to be running the Lada or Fiat gearbox?
Charles
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Post by danie on Mar 29, 2011 19:04:28 GMT 2
Hi Charles
I will stick to the Fiat Box on the Fiat engine.
I hope to use my Lada engine and gearbox on another Lada in future - if i can find a real cheap one with engine and gearbox problems.
Danie
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Post by danie on Apr 2, 2011 17:54:23 GMT 2
Just an update on the Fiat engine: Well, Ive been partly conned by the previous owner. I should have done an engine compression test as initially planned - but during my initial visit a basic inspection (signs of oil at the exhaust manifold, dirty spark plugs, dirty oil, etc. did cause any concern, and I thought there was no reason to insist on a compression test. Big mistake ! The seller - an old chap who looked like he was standing with one foot in a grave already - turned out to be just another liar . When I did a compression test on the engine about two weeks later, I discovered that the engine compression was extremely weak. By adding oil to the pistons, I discovered that the engine had a serious Ring problem. So while I was very disappointed, I started stripping the engine - and discovered that all four compression rings on the pistons were broken ! Thats the negative part of the story. On a positive note, there were clear indications that the engine had been rebuilt in the recent past. The installed gaskets seemed to be fairly new, and the pistons and piston sleeves are still in very good condition. And thank goodness, there is no damage to the pistons or piston sleeves ! The piston sleeves also do not have any "step" or ridge" which could cause broken rings . So at this stage I am not 100% sure what caused the ring failure. Anyway - I managed to find a cylinder Head Gasket and a brand new ring set real quick - for about R390.00, and everything is back on track again. I have installed the new rings already, and hope to modify the oil sump during this week. I also still have to modify the oil pump "pick up" slightly, because there is very little clearance between the oil pump "pick up" and the front diff: The new Ring set and Gasket: Danie
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Post by Charles on Apr 2, 2011 18:51:04 GMT 2
Hi Danie
Rigs breaks when idiots install them. Are you going to take on the oldf man?
Charles
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Post by danie on Apr 2, 2011 19:37:29 GMT 2
Hi Charles The piston sleeves do not have any ridge, and the pistons are still in very good condition. I also took the pistons to an expert to take proper measurements, and everything is still perfect - so I still regard the engine and gearbox as a great bargain. So I decided not to disturb the old man's fun - maybe I will just as skelm when I grow older . Danie
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Post by Charles on Apr 2, 2011 20:15:56 GMT 2
Now I know to be carefull when I buy you Niva gearbox someday...
Charles
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Post by ronnie on Apr 3, 2011 9:47:43 GMT 2
Hi Danie
I am sure if you go back to visit the old guy again, you will find the foot is out of the grave and he is smiling (grinning).
Ronnie
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Post by danie on Apr 3, 2011 11:01:05 GMT 2
Hi Ronnie
Thinking back about my first visit to the old chap, I realize that I made a big mistake not to do a compression test immediately.
He told me that he often drove the Lotus 7 at 160km/h during breakfast runs. He also told me that the advance / retard timing settings of the engine is not standard - to improve performance.
And on top of that, he has installed larger jets in the carb - also "to improve performance".
Since I stripped the engine I have done a Google search about "compression ring failure" to find a reason why the compression rings were broken - because there are no ridges at the piston sleeves, and I also think the ring gaps were not too small, because there are no score marks at the piston sleeves.
According to the Google search compression rings can break due to overheating.:
1. The rings can get too hot if the fuel mixture is too rich (as mentioned the old man tampered with the carb jets)
2.The Fiat engine has domed pistons, and according to a Google search about "domed pistons", the pistons itself get hotter that i.e. flat top pistons.
So I think the old guy simply exceeded the engine's limits with all his little"mods" - and the engine has probably been running too hot when the old guy drove at high speed to keep up with his mates.
Anyway, I always liked rebuilding an engine properly, so this issue does not really bother me. While the old man and his mates are probably still laughing at me, I have great fun in replacing the rings . ;D
Replacing rings and a head gasket is not a big deal anyway.
Danie
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Post by ronnie on Apr 3, 2011 13:24:55 GMT 2
Hi Danie
As long as we can all look back on the bad deals we do, smile and move forward all is well. We must all relate our stories so others do not fall into the same trap.
Ronnie
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Post by Charles on Apr 3, 2011 13:45:09 GMT 2
I always believe that the wheel turns, everyone will get their day.
Charles
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Post by marius on Apr 3, 2011 14:06:55 GMT 2
Yes Charles >> What comes around - goes around
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vincentc
Veteran Niva Petrol Head
Posts: 1,130
Registered: Mar 16, 2011 17:59:16 GMT 2
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Post by vincentc on Apr 6, 2011 22:06:25 GMT 2
As the Russian Proverb goes " the only free cheese is in the trap"
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Post by danie on May 15, 2011 10:52:07 GMT 2
Just as update on the Fiat engine mod: Progress is a bit slow, but I started modifying the oil sump during the previous week: I initially decided just to make space for the front diff, so I did some cutting: I then decided to make the sump bigger - to be able to get more oil inside the sump: I hope to finish the sump modification during the next week, and will send some pics. Danie
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Post by Charles on May 15, 2011 10:59:49 GMT 2
looks very nice Danie. Are you going to put baffels in? Where is your oil pickup going to be lying?
Charles
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Post by marius on May 15, 2011 12:12:34 GMT 2
Hi Danie
Any idea what the oil capacity would be like? I also presume that you will fit an even bigger oil filter? I guess the idea behind it is cleaner oil for longer?
Nice job! Marius
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Stefan
Full Niva Petrol Head
It's a-LADA fun! LADA - Niva give up!
Posts: 149
Registered: Apr 4, 2011 17:59:45 GMT 2
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Post by Stefan on May 15, 2011 12:37:20 GMT 2
Very nice job indeed! I was wondering what the motivation behind this is? Is the standard sump not sufficient? Sorrry for the 'silly questions', but I'm also learning as I go...
Looks very professional. Do you have any spesialised tools to do this with?
Regards,
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vincentc
Veteran Niva Petrol Head
Posts: 1,130
Registered: Mar 16, 2011 17:59:16 GMT 2
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Post by vincentc on May 15, 2011 15:49:59 GMT 2
Nice Job Danie.
Putting baffles in might be a plan especially if you intend going on steep slopes. The last thing you need is to starve the pump of oil.
Check your angles while you can manouvere it all.
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Post by Ari Bezuidenhout on May 15, 2011 17:44:32 GMT 2
Very nice job indeed! I was wondering what the motivation behind this is? Is the standard sump not sufficient? Sorrry for the 'silly questions', but I'm also learning as I go... Looks very professional. Do you have any spesialised tools to do this with? Regards, His fiat motor's sump doesn't like the diff being there. Ari
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Post by danie on May 15, 2011 18:43:49 GMT 2
Hi Charles / Marius / Stefan / Vincent / Ari
Thanks Charles - yes, the baffles are very important and I still have to fabricate a suitable one.
The pickup is located more or less in line with the crankshaft, which can be seen at the last pic. The clearance between the pickup and curved part of the modified sump is very small.
Marius, I am not sure about the oil capacity yet - but my guess is that the sump should accommodate about 1 liter of extra oil.
Correct - I think more oil will cause longer intervals between oil changes, as well as better engine cooling. If possible, I will also try to install a bigger oil filter.
Thanks Stefan - the sump had to be modified in order to install the front diff at it's original position.
We do have professional tools and professional welders at work - I have done the cutting myself - but one of the guys at work has helped me with the welding.
Thanks Vincent - I am very fortunate in having an extra original sump as well. I will just copy the original baffle to fabricate a new one.
Danie
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