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  • Report:  #536862

Complaint Review: Great Lakes Performance Diesel - Lackawanna New York

Reported By:
Ripped off my Rick Plauman - Franklin, Tennessee, United States of America
Submitted:
Updated:

Great Lakes Performance Diesel
2600 Hamburg Turnpike Lackawanna, 14218 New York, United States of America
Phone:
716-655-1292
Web:
www.greatlakesdieselengines.net/
Categories:
Tell us has your experience with this business or person been good? What's this?
Rick Plauman is a con-artist!  I have spent over $50,000 with the man to have a 800hp Caterpillar motor built for my Kenworth and it has been falling apart since my first trip.  Every time something breaks he either won't pay for it or won't answer the phone when I call.  I have had the turbo setup swapped 5 times because they are either not tuned right for the motor or they BLOW UP!  I would figure with the money I gave this man that he would install compatible parts.....and on top of everything he want me to pay for this additional work!  I have had multiple leaks repaired on the motor he won't reimburse me for, multiple parts replaced that I was told were "new"....only to realize a used or sub-par part was used.  I have a warranty in writing and he will not honor it!  Do NOT do business with this man unless you bring a lawyer!

On top of everything during the installation of the engine he charged me over $10,000 more than the original quote because he had to replace most of the electrical system on the truck after it "mysteriously" got friend during installation.  Which cause more damage elsewhere on the truck I had to fix myself after I picked the truck up from his shop.  In fact the 3 times I have given him the chance to fix his mistakes at his shop it takes me half a day to climb under the hood of my own truck and fix all the sub-par repairs!


4 Updates & Rebuttals

Kwtrucks

joliet,
Illinois,
USA
not at fault

#2Consumer Comment

Wed, November 07, 2012

To kick up the horse the shop couldnt "tune" the turbo..they would have to purchase the recommended one from cat to install...only cats fault if it blows up.
Also..dark black smoke is not cause by the turbop.
I would lean toward the afrc or advance
and the 3406"c" will shoot out some smoke when you give it the pedal and use the full 800hp.
I would also say that it would help get a cleaner exhaust if you put in 1/2 gal pure cetane when its filled up for a couple of months !


Ripped off my Rick Plauman

Franklin,
Tennessee,
United States of America
Resolved

#3Author of original report

Fri, October 12, 2012

In the summer of 2009, I purchased a high performance Caterpillar diesel engine from Fredrick "Rick" Plauman, owner of Great Lakes Diesel Engine, LLC in Lackawanna, New York. Rick Plauman, Great Lakes Diesel Engines, LLC, myself and my son have resolved our differences.


great lakes

United States of America
reply

#4REBUTTAL Owner of company

Thu, November 10, 2011

Obviously, the comments posted here are troubling because they simply don't paint the proper picture of what Great Lakes Diesel is about. It should also be pointed out that of my endless line of customers, only one seems to complain. It started as a misunderstanding and has blown into a series of threads questioning my integrity, professionalism and workmanship, so much that I feel the need to defend my name. Did this customer have a turbo failure in Arizona? Yes, but I exhausted every possibility of making things right and nothing seemed to be good enough. The customer complained of how the truck ran and the black smoke, etc. After setting him up for 800 hp, I test drove the vehicle at the right RPM and it performed remarkably. I also switched turbos for him on three occasions to keep him happy, all at my cost, along the way renting him a car so he could go home. I then switched turbos again, once again at my own expense. It became clear to me--and is also clear from the comments from other drivers--that this customer doesn't yet have the skills to handle a vehicle like this properly. His second truck is still in my yard, and I haven't charged him a penny for storage. He's welcome to pick it up at any time, and I will give him a 5EK running engine for free, or build him a new 3406C engine. I'm an honest, professional business owner who runs a well-respected business, one that's been built on the principles, professionalism and know-how I've gained through decades in this industry. I invite any critics or prospective customers to visit my website, www.GreatLakesDieselEngine.net. In response to the comments posted about Great Lakes Diesel, I feel I have done all I can to satisfy this customer, and if there are feelings of ill will, I truly regret it. My record stands for itself, and every customer I've had--many of them professional drivers who have navigated this country's highways for decade after decade, will attest to the kind of honesty, integrity and work that define my business.


Ripped off my Rick Plauman

Franklin,
Tennessee,
United States of America
I have been contacted by Rick Plauman.

#5Author of original report

Sun, February 28, 2010

As of a couple days ago I have been contacted by Rick and he is attempting to work out our problems.  He has promised to fix all of our problems including building us another motor and fixing any problems he had.  I will keep this updated as progress happens.

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