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1. 11:18 AM - Re: LOM concerns (Rudy Kniese)
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| Subject: | Re: LOM concerns |
--> Lom-List message posted by: "Rudy Kniese" <crkaviator@earthlink.net>
Hello again,
Apparently attachments don't work, so here is a cut and paste of the letter
I previously mentioned that I had sent to Charlie Becker:
December 20, 2003
Re: LOM Engine / Propeller Issues
Dear Mr. Becker:
First, again I would like to thank you for your time on the phone the other
day and in advance thank you for providing any assistance that you may be
able to in terms of resolving my outstanding issues with LOM.
As per your request I am providing a written request for your assistance
regarding the plight that I have been experiencing for now over two years
with LOM.
The issue at present is that I have a leaky propeller (V541) that has leaked
from the onset of my first start of my engine on February 2nd 2001. It has
been leaking oil from the hub since my first flight on November 2nd 2001.
The larger issue is that I (we, other customers) have installed an engine
that is unserviceable in this country due to the lack of an American
Distributor and LOM's lack of performance regarding customer care. Parts
seem to be unobtainable and when and if you secure a part it takes months
not days for that part to arrive!
Back to issue at hand:
I performed all the work requested by Milos Paclt (Czech chief engineer)
over the year 2001 and 2002 with no solution. LOM finally agreed to accept
my propeller back for service in January of this year. This repair was
supposed to be accomplished in 30 days and it took almost 3 months. Upon
arrival back and re-installation the propeller continued to leak. I was put
in contact with the Director Vladamir Zasidil whom did take up my cause and
sent Milos Paclt out for a service visit. Milos worked on my propeller for
a better part of 1 week and made a piston exchange to the model "C" as part
of my condolence package for all that I had been through. At the conclusion
of his visit the propeller still showed signs of leakage on blade two, and
blade one appeared dry on ground runs. It was agreed that I would fly the
aircraft for a period of 10 hours allowing the seals to seat better which in
Milos' opinion would solve the problem. Upon the completion of 10 hours
blade two got worse and now over extended time blade one has started to leak
again. This leak allows oil to coat the windscreen and over time provides a
nice lubrication to all leading edges!
Mr. Zasidil made a 2nd resolution to me: (email expert received 6-25-03)
Dear Kniese,
> we are very sorry for permanent leaking of oil on your propeller.
> Appreciate your patience with this problem. Our solution of problem is
> following: We agree to take the propeller back and give you the same
> amount of money which LOM got when prop. was sold from company.
> If you prefer to get new propeller, instead payment, we can send you
> the new prop. V541.
> Send us your choice please, which way is more suitable for you.
> Best regards
> Vladimir Zasadil
> LOM Praha
The following is an email excerpt regarding my decision and Vladimir's
response, to get this far took a while due to lack of responses in a timely
manner on questions regarding parts and shipments and attainability of
person in Prague due to out of town obligations etc.
From: Rudy Kniese [mailto:crkaviator@earthlink.net]
Subject: Propeller Decision
Hello Vladimir,
I am assuming you are back from OSHKOSH, I hope your trip went well.
I am writing to convey my decision on returning my V541 Propeller back to
LOM for a refund of $6,000.00.
I am in final phases of confirming a replacement of an MT propeller for my
airplane with an electric constant speed. This will remove all the
suspected oil problems. I am awaiting shipment time frames and I am hoping
you will allow me to use my existing propeller until the new one arrives.
Please write and let me know of the process we will need to follow for
return shipment and payment.
Thanks in advance for all of you assistance thus far.
Sincerely,
C. Rudy Kniese
Answer:
Hello Rudy,
to use your existing propeller until the new one arrives is possible.
Then you will agree the shipping and payments with Mr. Tzek from our
commercial
departement.
I shall happy if I may know your experience with your new MT propeller.
Best regards
Vl. Zasadil
Since this time I have made several requests for parts that would be needed
to make the exchange and install a new MT propeller that was ordered. I
have received no responses or shipments sent. Another relevant fact now is
that LOM apparently has gone through some sort of re-organization and
Vladimir Zasidil may no longer be there. I am not even sure about Milos
Paclt, since I have not received any responses from him either. The
following are email transmissions trying to obtain those parts:
1st Request to Zasidil:
----- Original Message -----
From: Rudy Kniese
Hello Mr. Zasadil,
It seems the time is approaching to make the return of the V541 back to LOM
and I would like to get some loose ends tied up so to speak. Would you be
kind enough to answer these questions as soon as you can.
1- Will LOM arrange the shipment of the propeller back to the factory as we
did in January for the repair?
2- How exactly will you send my refund of $6,000 USD. I am assuming you
will not send until you get the propeller back.
3 -If this is the case how soon and how will you send the refund. I will be
out of pocket some monies to replace this propeller with a new MT. Would it
be at all possible to have half sent before to help me with this and then
the balance sent upon receipt of the propeller. Mt is cutting my blades now
and delivery is tentative for the end of the month beginning of November.
4- I have received information from Milos about some parts I will need to
make the change from the V541 to the MT, due to the removal of the V541.
Here was his list.
You need following parts:
Sh 0401 Flange
Sh 4016 Lid of front bearing including Gufero ring
Sc 4008 A,B,C paper gasket
Govenor flange lid
I need to know if these will be included in the exchange back. I am under
the assumption these parts would have come standard with the engine had I
not chosen the V541 propeller.
Milos asked me to make a request to Mrs. Voskova for these parts. I will be
in need of these to make the replacement. Anything you can do to expedite
this delivery would greatly be appreciated.
Mr. Zasidil, as always thanks for your assistance,
Rudy K.
2nd Request sent to Virginia: (included copy of above email)
----- Original Message -----
From: Rudy Kniese
Subject: parts and return information
Hello Jirina Voskova
I sent the attached email to Zasadil as you can see on October 13th, I have
heard through the grapevine that Zasidil may no longer be there.
Can you assist with my questions and provide the information requested??
If not please put in touch with someone that can assist.
Thanks in advance,
Rudy
3rd Request sent to Milos - Sent 11-18-03
Hello Milos,
I am need of your assistance again. It seems lOM has recently dropped into
a black hole!???
Attached are emails that I have sent inquiring on my propeller return and I
have received no answers or parts.
Can you please assist in some way?
Please respond back as soon as possible.
Hope your family is well.
See ya,
Rudy
This brings me to the last communication I have received. It was a fax
from a Julius Ohrival, title chief of sale piston engines. I do not know
this person and have had no knowledge or contact with him before this. Since
it was a fax, I will paraphrase its content: He acknowledged my situation,
but informed me that my resolution needed to be reviewed by the new
management at LOM and requested continued patience. I received his fax on
December 5th and faxed him back on December 7th requesting email information
and information on the parts needed to make exchange and installation. I
have received no response from that fax. Now almost two weeks have passed.
This is pretty typical and why it takes sooooo long to try to get anything
accomplished, meanwhile planes may remain grounded or problems go unsolved.
Charlie, there has been one other communication that I sent, I finally lost
all of my patience when I was sent a fax inquiring about an overdue invoice
for a part I ordered back in 2001. There is a long story with this also, I
have attached that letter for your information, unfortunately it is not as
polite as all my other correspondence, and to this date it has not received
a response either. I include this as a separate attachment and just so you
have all communications that have transpired.
To summarize, I had requested from Zasidil a complete return for a refund of
both the engine and propeller, due to the lack of performance and the
un-serviceability of the engine here in the states. They would only offer
me $1400.00 for the engine, their basic published core charge, and the deal
they offered on the propeller; since they felt there was nothing wrong with
the engine. Excerpt from email from this request:
Dear Mr. Kniese,
Please excause me you had waiting my response to your e-mail from June 25.
I sent my response to you at 7:02 hrs today. The reason is my trip last
week.
Now, July 3, hrs 9:18 I received next e-mail from you. Let me send you my
answer
to your questions:
1. This is one extremely question, because of only the prop has an problem
and this one can be removed. However, in such case there are possibility
back to you the price, which you had pay for prop plus of M332CE engine
price "core" ($ 1 400).
2. For the answer see my e-mail 7:02 today.
3. Dtto.
Sincerely
Vl. Zasadil
I would be satisfied if you could get the following resolution:
Resolution:
1 - I would like as soon as possible the parts needed to make the
installation of the MT propeller shipped.
2 - The details worked out for me to return my V541 propeller, freight paid
by LOM and my $6,000.00 USD refunded prior to shipment within the next 30
days.
3 - For LOM to service the product they sell and provide parts and
assistance to its US customers in a timely and efficient manner. Days not
months!!!
4- For LOM to provide an overhaul manual to its US customers
Charlie, thanks in advance for your time attention in this matter. If you
require any additional information please contact me directly. I have two
years worth of correspondence, but tried to keep only what is relevant to
the issue at hand.
Regards,
C. Rudy Kniese
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rudy Kniese" <crkaviator@earthlink.net>
Subject: Re: Lom-List: LOM concerns
> --> Lom-List message posted by: "Rudy Kniese" <crkaviator@earthlink.net>
>
> Hello everyone,
>
> Rudy Kniese here, not sure if I am doing this right, but wanted to piggy
> back on Jim's note.
>
> If you are an owner of a LOM engine and have been "lucky" enough not to
have
> any mechanical issues or parts issues you are blessed. Be sure that if
you
> haven't experienced the poor customer service that LOM attempts to offer
be
> sure you will at some time, and be prepared to be grounded for months at a
> time!
>
> It is imperative that we all take advantage at this time, since we have
the
> ear of someone, Charlie Becker, at EAA that may be able to act as an
> advocate on our behalf. If we ever can expect to run these engines with
> the least bit of confidence, we must get LOM to service their product!!
>
> Please , please take an opportunity and contact Charlie and let him know
if
> you have experience's of poor service like Jim and I have had. It takes
> more than a couple of complainants to make a just case!
>
> I also have attached my letter to Charlie describing my recent events over
> the past six months regarding a leaky propeller, one that has been leaking
> for 2 years!
>
> Unfortunately my personal experience with this product has been one that I
> would not wish on anybody, and I have bastardized my Glastar with this
> product. At the least I hope to stop anyone else from making the same
> mistake.
>
> Regards to all and Happy Holidays,
>
> C. Rudy Kniese
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <Jeayers1@aol.com>
> To: <lom-list@matronics.com>
> Subject: Lom-List: LOM concerns
>
>
> > --> Lom-List message posted by: Jeayers1@aol.com
> >
> > Hi All,
> >
> > I sent the following to Charlie Becker at EAA. If you have any concerns
> > about LOM, you might send something to him, also.
> >
> > cbecker@eaa.org
> >
> > Hopefully he will be able to find a way to communicate with LOM.
> >
> > Jim Ayers
> >
> >
> > 22 December 2003
> >
> > From:
> > James E. Ayers
> > EAA # 82685
> > EAA Tech Counselor and Flight Advisor
> >
> > To:
> > Charlie Becker
> >
> > Subject: LOM engine support?
> >
> > Good Morning Mr. Becker,
> >
> > I am concerned about the availability of maintenance and repair parts
for
> my
> > LOM engine.
> > I purchased my engine directly from the LOM factory. I placed a
> > maintenance/spare parts order on 30 November 2003 for more than $500 USD
> per the LOM
> > factory representatives, Frantisek Tizek, request.
> > I added part numbers to the description on two items and added two items
> on 8
> > December 2003.
> >
> > I addressed this to Frantisek Tizek by Email. I also asked Milos Paclt
> > (technical support) and the director of Aviation technique division, Mr.
> ing. Milan
> > Hrdina, for their assistance with this order.
> >
> > I have tried to locate these parts from Moravia, Nick Carter, Joe Krybus
> and
> > Rick Schneider. All previous LOM distributors. (Rick Schneider had
> signed
> > his agreement with LOM at Oshkosh this year.)
> >
> > I have also contacted friends in Germany who provided contacts in Czech
> > Republic in an attempt to locate these parts.
> >
> > I have been in contact with LOM for eight years. I went to their
factory
> > engine class at Prague, Czech Republic, in November 2002. My impression
> of the
> > LOM company is that it sells engines so the three factory mechanics can
> travel
> > worldwide to repair them at their convenience. Every effort is made to
> NOT
> > provide maintenance parts, or proper maintenance documentation.
> >
> > The LOM Company has just been merged with two other companies. My
concern
> is
> > that this maintenance support parts and documentation situation is only
> going
> > to get worse.
> >
> > Can you please find some avenue of communication with LOM engine
> manufacturer
> > to express my concern about being able to operate my LOM engine in the
> > future? And to be able to SAFELY operate the engine now.
> >
> > Sincerely,
> > Jim Ayers
> >
> >
>
>
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