Disappointed in new Jensen 75 and myself

jjym · Disappointed in new Jensen 75 and myself

Hi everybody,
There have been a few things that have disappointed me greatly in my life and this is one of them

. I received my J-75 this morning (came home from work to get it!) and I was so excited about it. I was stoked on firing it up so I went through the instructions and checked for binding, oiled it up, checked the SV...etc. There was some resistance when I turned the wheel but just attributed it to compression and all the linkages as this machine is quite a beast. So I steamed it up with a smile on my face. It didn't work. The crank was binding on the eccentric. I loosened the grub screws to move the entire axle up and down to accomodate to no avail. I thought I had enough know-how to shave off a bit of the crank so as not to bind on the eccentric with a Dremel. It's really ugly but at least it doesn't scrape the eccentric anymore. During this I noticed that the crank pin is bent or the threads inside the eccentric are off kilter. I think it is the latter as I screwed the pin into wood and was straight. I liken it to a bent bicycle pedal that has that wonky feeling to it. The pin goes in crooked at like a 80 degree angle but when all the way in it kind of staightens out. Very strange how it does this. Goes in crooked but then straightens out a bit when screwed all the way in. I just tried to upload a picture but it gives me an error. Anyways, I didn't see the off kilter pin because it was shrouded by the crank. I should have just returned it. Actually it's not that bad but what effect will this slightly off kilter pin have in the long run? Will it wear in an ovoid fashion and make loud clacking? Jensen's quality control for this particular machine was definitely suspect. Three things, 1) the crank was pushing on the 'pressed on' eccentric which in turn pushed on the axle support which was way too tight. There is no way to adjust this save the aforementioned shaving of the crank, and 2) the tap for the eccentric was not centered, and 3) the flywheel was corroded in the v-groove with black marks. I've got an ugly shaved machine that I should have returned. I don't feel well. Thanks for letting me vent and sorry about the essay.

Chris

Sorry to hear your sad tale. I don't own a Jensen so can't comment on that, but lots here do that might be able to help you out.

Unfortunately these days I am fussy. If something isn't right just return it for another one. It is disappointing and frustrating but it is the companies responsibility to provide something fit for purpose, not our responsibility to put it right when we get it.

I've not heard bad things about Jensen before... maybe if you explain they will still help.

IndianaRog

Jjym...send a PM to forum member CEDGE. Steve is the sales manager for Jensen and might be able to help you out.

johnreid

IT definitely is an exception to the rule. I hope you get another in exchange and can enjoy the hobby, normally the 75 is a real beast so I can feel your disappointment. I guess a lemon can pass out ant factories door, but from my past experience Jensen products are of the best quality.
Please let us know how this unfolds

jjym · Thank you all for your support

Like I said in another post, people on here have got to be the most considerate and kind hearted people in the world! Anyways, I don't want to bother anybody as it is was my fault for firing it up in the first place. This is the second engine I bought in the last week because I caught the bug. I think you all know what I mean! The first engine being an old Fleischmann that has a clogged glass sight, and then the Jensen. Hmmm... is it back to flyfishing for me after this short foray into steam?

Dampfmaschine

Hi - Sorry to hear of your problems. Got a 75 a few months back myself and its been great - hope they can sort it out for you.

gd9704

It's very disappointing to have a new toy not work.....but the people at Jensen are very good-call them and they will take care of you.

psantama

I tend to agree with the general opinion, Jensens are pretty good, although I do have more Wilescos. I have been impressed how they stand behind their product. I bought a NIB jensen 65, I had a longitudinal hailine crack in the steam line.
I called Jensen, the owner answered the phone, I explained my problem. He told me it was a manufacturing defect, and instructed me to send it in to get fixed free of charge. I did so and in a few weeks, it was like new.
Surely they wll help you.
Peter

tmuir

Speak to Jensen directly.
I'm sure they will help you out if parts were faulty from the factory.
They may not replace the part you have dremelled but I'm sure they would replace a crooked crank pin.

Jensen products are usually pretty good.

redryder

By the way where did you buy your new Jensen?
If it came from a dealer, call them now.
If you bought it direct, call Jensen now.

In fact, with an issue like that, I should think you would have wanted to call where you got it before you brought it to this forum.
This way you could be telling us how the seller will help you resolve it.

I sell them as a dealer (correction, Mrs RedRyder is a dealer) and if one of our customers has an issue, I would make sure it was dealt with properly. NONE of our Jensen buyers have ever had a problem but we are prepared to help if they ever do.

Gil

jjym

Hi again,
I'm more mad at myself for not returning it and trying to take matters into my own hand to fix it. I think I may be 'mongering' a bit because it is very new to me but I absolutely agree that every other part of this Jensen is very well made. It is shaved only on one side where the eccentric is but really, it runs ok. I bought it from Yesteryear Toys online here in Canada. I'm going to try and post some pictures. I think that the last time the photos were too large at 8mp. Hope this works. It's the pin.

Anyways, I'll show you next the the shaved bit.

metalhead100

WOW that's off a mile...

Might have been dropped or something....

Any clod bolting that together when it was built would have tossed the crank arm out the window....

Is the rod bent also?

Jim

jjym

That last photo is exactly 1/2 turn of the bolt before tightened right down. It's still off a bit I think by me checking the wear marks on the nickel plating that is wearing off in the race when the engine actually ran. Ovoid-like or uneven it seems. The rod doesn't seem to be bent. But I did have to take off about a mm. or 1/32 of an inch of material to make it work without it rubbing on the eccentric. In this order- the bolt, the crank, the pressed on eccentric, then the axle brace. No room for conventional adjustment. It was sooo tight in the context of normal operation of the engine. My camera's battery is now conveniently drained. Bah! I will keep you posted.

Cedge

Jjym
Give the factory a call and speak with Dorita. Give her your story and see what she can do to remedy the problem. She's pretty darned amazing at times...(grin).

We try to make sure each engine leaves in perfect condition, but we're imperfectly human and these engines are made by human hands. As hard as we try, one or two has sometimes managed to escape before we spotted it.

We just want to sure your Jensen experience isn't a bad one.

Steve

jjym

Thanks again everybody,
Metalhead, I checked the rod and you're right. It seems bowed quite a bit relative to the size of it and in the direction of the eccentric. I put a flat edge against it to check. Doesn't seem dropped though. I will take more pictures tomorrow when I'm off work and the batteries are charged. I'll post them then. Goodnight everyone! Oh, and Mr. Cedge (Steve), I will call Dorita tomorrow for sure and see what she says. Thank you!

jjym

Redryder, I am aware of my shortcomings. I am not a dealer. I have dealt with dealers before and have not had much success in such issues. In fact, this forum is all I know and that is why I posted here. If I offended you in any way here, then I am truly sorry.
Johnny

Keith S

Hey Johnny, don't worry about it! I'm sure RedRyder was just trying to reassure you that Jensen dealers will help with your problem. I'm also sure any one of us can sympathize with a man's instinct to try to rectify what seems to be a small problem before he starts squawking for help. It's human nature, even though it may be ultimately counterproductive. You're making a mountain out of a molehill! Stop trying to fix it, call Jensen, get them to send you the necessary spare parts, and pay the 20 bucks if necessary, because you took a dremel to it, and voided the warranty. I wouldn't be surprised at all if Canada Post somehow damaged the engine between Ontario and B.C. If you put a Canada post employee in a padded room with two cannon balls, and came back to check on him in half an hour, one of the balls would be broken and the other one missing. It's not a big deal, I promise! You'll be right as rain as soon as you make the phone call.

gd9704

I'd be amazed if that 75 left the factory like that....even an untrained eye (like mine) can see there's something very wrong there.

I would bet lunch that it got handled carelessly somewhere between Jeanette, PA and your house--dropped at some point.

I'd also bet dinner that Dorita at Jensen will straighten things out and your 75 will be in top shape soon!

redryder

johnreid

We all need a place to vent our frustration, no harm intended and no harm done as most of us have good experiences with Jensen and Yesteryear.
However, I can see the disappointment upon getting a less than perfect 75, especially with all of the good reviews they get here.
Heck, if it was a less than expected Ebay purchase I could see some complaining made here.
Personally I do not see this as an insult to Jensen or any of their dealers, but instead I see as somone seeking a shoulder to cry on, which you have here, Each forum member who read your post was just as disappointed as you were as we all have experienced some sort of let down be it Steam related or not.
Whether you get your satisfaction or not, we are here to support you, Gil goves the best advice, contact the Dealer first and if they do not help go direct to Jensen, Make copies of all of your receipts, and do not be disappointed if you end up paying for the modified part ( that is just being fair )
If you need help or advice on making repairs or using your Steam Engine, this is the place to go too.
Keep us appraised as to the results of your situation.
And Keith, that second Cannonball is only tied up in Customs and will be forwarded as soon as they finish examining both pieces of it.

jjym

Hi again everybody,
I called Yesteryear and they right took care of me. You know, sometimes things are not as bad as they seem to be at first. When you actually step back and take a look at the mess you've created and assess it, it ain't all that bad. When I wrote the first message I had that sinking feeling in my chest because I thought that I voided the warranty, made a mess of my toy, and wanted to put the thing away in a salty damp basement to be found in 25 years. Well, only to be restored to new again by one of you geniuses! Anyways, like I said and I'll say it again, people here are the best people I've met. Period. I've got friends who treat me with less kindness! Love you all! Brotherly love that is. I am now restored. I will let you all know when the parts come.

Keith S

Excellent. Machines can always be repaired, especially simple ones like steam engines. It's not as though you tried to do a home repair on your wife's cat or something. All's well that ends well.

IndianaRog

Johnny, good to hear the Yesteryear folks are going to take care of you.

I likewise had a very good experience with Yesteryear. Over a year ago I sold a boat kit I had bought from them but decided NOT to build it. I sold the untouched kit via eBay only to get an email from buyer a few weeks later that a sheet of laser cut wood parts was missing from the box. It must have been missed at the factory in Germany, but Yesteryear got another sheet of parts for me and sent it straight away...I then passed it on to the ebay buyer and all was well. That is great customer service.

Glad you will be made whole again, hate to see a budding steamer throw in the towel!

cheers,
Roger

johnreid

Alls well that ends well, now for the wait to get the replacement,

redryder

I just knew that would work well for you....!!!! (calling the dealer)

Pretty soon you will be enjoying the heck out of it.

Gil

MooseMan

Excellent news Johnny, and you're right, this is a friendly place! Steam on brother!

Cedge

I'm quite pleased but not at all surprised to hear that Yesteryear stood up and made it right. They are among our most respected and valued dealers. The offer to directly contact Dorita was no disrespect to Yesteryear but an offer of no nonsense assistance if you wanted to use it.

Jensen lives or dies by the reputation you the collector assign to us. We've survive all these years only at the mercy of your opinions. If something is not quite right, then we want to hear about it so we can remedy the problem.... be it with one of our engines or one of our dealers (myself included). Trust me.... more than one former dealer lost his Jensen dealer status over the past few years.

Jjym
Never hesitate to contact Jensen if you have a problem or even a simple question about one of our products or their care and operation. We're still small enough to know our customers on a first name basis. Ask Gil, Griffin or Rog if they've even used their last names in recent contacts. Betcha don't get that from that big German company....(grin)

Steve

gd9704

Glad to hear a happy ending on the way here. You'll be grinning ear to ear once your 75 is up and running!

jjym

Hi!
Yes, Yesteryear listened to my whole situation and not once interrupted me. They only asked very particularly where the problem was and promptly said that the parts were on their way. Boy, customer service at it's absolute finest! I'm still kind of reeling. I've not ever had that kind of service. I actually voided any kind of 'warranty' by firing the thing up, taking it apart, modifying and grinding parts. Truthfully, I even told them I would cover all the cost for all of the the parts and they declined. I originally came on here just to vent about my story. Not expecting anything. I really didn't expect this!...waiting patiently for the parts. Well, more patiently than originally. This is a lesson for me in life too, not just here. There really are still good people around who take care of things, right? Anyways, it's off to bed for me. I just wish it was a fortnight sleep! Fourteen days in the UK, right? Ok, bye for now.

jjym · Ok, what gives?

Ok, it's been almost two months, two emails and a phone call. Gave me the run-a-round on the phone. Not even a return email, and they said to call back around Christmas time if I haven't heard anything. Couldn't find anything about my file. I guess customer service has gone downhill everywhere. I don't expect much from companies. They're out to make a buck I guess. Anyways, this has not stopped me from buying 3 never fired Mamods and a Wilesco. Two tractors, a roadster and a D14. A TE1A, an SW1 and a SA1. I bought them off a nice man on craigslist for a decent price. Much better quality than the Jensen which is now shoved under my bed

. Thanks all for listening to my story.

tmuir

You need to get that Jensen fixed.
They are great runners.

Jensen prides itself on its customer service.
As it sounds like you haven't had great joy can I suggest you PM Cedge here and ask for his help.
I'm sure he can sort something out for you, although you may have to pay for the parts you modified.

This is the only bad story I've heard of Jensen engines ever and I'm sure they can make it end happy.

I believe Jensen offers a life time warranty on manufacturing defects.

johnreid

Time to call Jensen I guess, they shouldnt put you off, I know it is a busy time of the year, but...

gd9704

I agree with John. Call Jensen directly. They will make things right.

jjym

Yes, I will call Jensen directly in the next little while. Sure, I'll even pay for all of the parts. I just want it running well. I might wait until after Christmas though, so I'm not a burden on them at this busy time of year. Dorita's the one to talk to I've been told.

gd9704

Delete--double post.

IndianaRog

Jim, yes...it's time to speak with Dorita, customer service rep at Jensen.

It would be best though to wait til after the first of the year. Nov/Dec. are their busiest months trying to get engines out the door fast and furiously to meet Christmas rush.

cheers,
Rog

ps...I've been collecting, buying and selling Jensens for about 7 years now and aside from the pink colored fireboxe, I have never heard a complaint...they are good folks to deal with.

Cedge

Jim
I've already extended you a personal invitation to call the Jensen factory, directly. I'm quite certain Dorita can solve any problems you are having. What bother me is your apparent habit of posting complaints publicly, before giving myself or Dorita any chance to straighten things out. There are very few problems we can't solve, but we have to be given fair opportunity to do so.

I'm always available on PM and willing to try to help, but that can't happen if you won't contact me.

Steve

jjym

Yes,
You are right Steve, I guess I'm just a little dissatisfied in Yesteryear Toys. I just wanted to go through them first before going right to the source. After the run around, I jumped the gun a bit. My disappointment is misdirected and I'm sorry for that. The Jensen is very well built except for whatever happened to that part, probably caused by lousy shipping proceedures. My sincere apologies to Jensen.

P.s. What is PM?

gd9704

mogogear

The little PM button on the bottom of each of our posts..just click on that and you can send a private message to that particular person..

remember to enter a subject in your m=note to that person or it will not go through

redryder

I have to agree with Steve. If you ever have a problem with a Jensen you go to the dealer first and if the dealer won't help you the next step is to contact Jensen and when you do make sure Jensen understands just how the dealer has treated your issue. They need to know this. Lastly, you could have easily contacted Jensen in less time than it took to write about them here. Just give them a chance. THEY WILL TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOU.

Gil

igy569

I had a problem with a new Jensen, they made it right. I also buys LOTS of parts for all my other Jensen restorations. Call Dorita. She will make it right for you.

Disappointed in new Jensen 75 and myself

Thank you all for your support

Ok, what gives?