Last Fall I began to trouble shoot a overheating problem with my 4cly Kubota generator engine.
I bought a new circuit breaker and a new thermostat hoping that the problem would be solved.
The weather turned and I did not get back to the project until recently.
I brought the thermostat housing inside the house so I could make sure the new thermostat fit properly. It did.
Problem is I had the thermostat housing sitting on my desk, The grand kids came, the thermostat housing has vanished.
I thought no big deal I will order another.
I called PowerTech ( multiple calls with no call backs) and was informed they no longer carry that part and that I should contact a Kubota engine dealer.
I have 3 Kubota tractors so I contacted the Kubota dealer. The parts guy told me that they do not stock Kubota engine parts and suggested CAPITAL ENGINE located in Reynoldsburg OH. 740-964-0089.
I called and the parts person asked for the engine model and number. She was surprised at how old the engine was and that the engine number was no longer valid. She spent a considerable amount of time researching, finally finding the housing. I ordered the housing, gasket and 2 bolts.
The parts came within 2 days but the housing was too big.
I called again and talked with another parts person. He spent about 45 minutes cross referencing covers. My cover has a 2" bolt spread but has not been used for many years. He told me Kubota changed the thermostat housing and thermostat to a larger 2 1/2" size to address overheating issues. He finally found a 2" spread housing with the correct hose end angle.
I told him that I would just keep the parts that were sent because it was not worth it to pay the UPS shipping back to them, the parts cost was about $20 with a shipping charge of 20$ =$40 total. I asked if he wanted a credit card number to pay for the new parts, he declined and said they would charge the card on file.
The parts arrived again in 2 days, with no charge.
He had told me that he did not stock the part but would have to order it from Kubota's main parts center in the Chicago area.
I told him I lived in Chicago, could the main Kubota Parts center just ship direct to me. He said that was only possible if I paid UPS air rates, I declined. The parts did come directly from the Kubota main warehouse.
In this day and age I have experienced some VERY bad customer service. I think a shout out for a Company that still strives for complete customer service/satisfaction should be applauded.
And, now for the GRANDKIDS! Where oh where is the original thermostat housing????
Gone are the days when you walked into a parts house and the parts guy looked at what was in your hand and said that is a ---
and he goes to the shelf and gets it for you--no books no serial No. just knew his job very well
now you walk in with part in hand and they want serial no. model no. and credit score before they will get out of chair to even attempt to help you.
Chris
I've had great service from jackssmallengines, when I was trying to replace the oil drain assembly and had zero luck with Cummins/Onan. When I went to jacks website I just had to enter the part number, didn't need to preface with manufacturers name etc.
Buried. Like I used to bury all my dad's tools:)
The possibility of parts finally showing up has never been higher than after new parts installed. I searched one day for hours for a $500 welding hood my father in law picked and hung on one of the shelves. Just killed me when I finally asked and he reached up next to him and handed it to me with a old age and treachery smile.
Scott
I've got to ask, what kind of hood costs $500 ?
T94™ Series Welding Helmet | MillerWelds (https://www.millerwelds.com/safety/helmets/t94-series-welding-helmets-m30140)
Neck damage and being spoiled forces light, good helmets. Better helmets darken faster and show colors better while using. Less fatigue when wearing for ten hours a day for weeks. Then will only use a couple minutes here and there every month. I just threw away a three year old Miller helmet do to auto lens failure. Bummer. Currently using my 8 year old but heavier Lincoln hood. Next big job ill replace with current version of the miller again. Modern hoods like everything else are stupid expensive but my poor vision is priceless.
Scott
Thank you for the sticker shock ! I'm glad that I'm retired cause I'd have a lot of difficulty parting with that kind of money.
My doctor told me that every nod of the hood was a mild whiplash, trouble was that he was 40 years too late.