Marauder VT dies

[RR|Suki]

So I bought the Marauder VT... drove it 4 days.. count em 4 and the car died, I didn't even get to drive her hard, I took it in to get balanced and aligned, then drove to my grandma's, got my mom from the airport. So driving back from the Detroit metro airport on the freeway... knocking then stall.... so 4 days the motor has 9k miles max on it. All I can do is laugh, and think maybe VT motors aren't all they are cracked up to be... so now a great deal has become garbage, lesson here is don't buy a built used car, even if it was built by pros:down: ...:bigcry:

P.S. If anyone out there has contacts with anyone or companies who would be willing to be sponsors so I can get the motor fixed that would be sweeeeeeeet... cuz yeah as it stands I have no money to fix it:bigcry:

[martyo]

Have you spoken to VT yet?

[prchrman]

^^^^ditto^^^^^what the lawyer said...willie

[SergntMac]

Why are you so sure it's trashed. What are your symptoms?

[metroplex]

I think the knock and stall on I-94 are pretty much the symptoms.
I hope you can get it fixed and squared away, as I hear nothing but positive comments about VT Engines.

That being said, I rarely put ALL of my faith in the "pros". While some are indeed very professional and knowledgeable, I think it is best if you figure out how things work yourself and attempt whatever it is you want. That way, if things do not work out, you have a GOOD idea of what went wrong and who to blame. This applies to:

cars
home refinishing/remodeling
rifles
pistols
computers
gardening

[Hack Goby]

I argree with Mac.It could be something minor.Did you get the car from VT? or are you the third owner.I wanted that car bad becauce it is a one of a kind but it never worked out.Dont give up on it take the hit fix it and injoy it.I wondered why a Marauder with over 70K into it was for sale for 27,500.You still have a very rare beast.

[Bradley G]

Great advice!

A beer drinking squirrel?
A two valve Vic, with a Cam that makes the car shudder @ idle?:eek:
Bradley G
Good luck on the Fix!
What's your plan Suki?

I think the knock and stall on I-94 are pretty much the symptoms.
I hope you can get it fixed and squared away, as I hear nothing but positive comments about VT Engines.

That being said, I rarely put ALL of my faith in the "pros". While some are indeed very professional and knowledgeable, I think it is best if you figure out how things work yourself and attempt whatever it is you want. That way, if things do not work out, you have a GOOD idea of what went wrong and who to blame. This applies to:

cars
home refinishing/remodeling
rifles
pistols
computers
gardening

[SergntMac]

I think the knock and stall on I-94 are pretty much the symptoms.
I disagree. A knock and stall condition could be a dozen things, none of which means the engine is trash. A timing chain related problem for instance, a loose chain that's jumped time, or, a stuck chain tensioner, and so on. I'd like to know if the engine will turn over, and what noise may be associated with that.

Breakage is no different for the pros than it is for the factory. It's less likely you will suffer a sudden failure when an engine has been hand assembled with quality parts, however, built engines break too. Sometimes for no reason other than a loose bolt somewhere. No reflection on VT, there's not a pro builder out here that hasn't broken his own stuff.

[RR|Suki]

Yeah VT came out and listened to her, the engine is getting pulled and sent to them tomorrow, I think what they think is that I put pump fuel in it... so hopefully when it comes to looking and they see I had no fault in the matter it'll all get squared away. If it was bad gas I have a service station to have words with selling 87 as 93... I'll keep ya'll posted on what was seen on the engine pull down.

[Bradley G]

thanks for the follow-up!

That was fast action!
Glad to hear VT has some interest in helping you!
Keeping fingers crossed for you!
Bradley G

Yeah VT came out and listened to her, the engine is getting pulled and sent to them tomorrow, I think what they think is that I put pump fuel in it... so hopefully when it comes to looking and they see I had no fault in the matter it'll all get squared away. If it was bad gas I have a service station to have words with selling 87 as 93... I'll keep ya'll posted on what was seen on the engine pull down.

[dwasson]

My concern with the VT car is that I thought it was their demo car. Everyone drove it. What could happen to a car after the car magazines played with it. It could be worse than a rental car.

[RoyLPita]

My concern with the VT car is that I thought it was their demo car. Everyone drove it. What could happen to a car after the car magazines played with it. It could be worse than a rental car.


If this the one that I'm thinking of, The trans was replaced at 3k.

[SergntMac]

If it was bad gas I have a service station to have words with selling 87 as 93... I'll keep ya'll posted on what was seen on the engine pull down.
This has happened to me, and it's not fun. Thank for the reply, hope it works out in your favor.

My concern with the VT car is that I thought it was their demo car. Everyone drove it. What could happen to a car after the car magazines played with it. It could be worse than a rental car.
No disagreement from me. My "1x" car was driven everywhere and by everyone. The day I brought it home from Kenny Brown's the rear end came apart, literally. I wasn't happy, but stuff happens when you buy a prototype car. Adding it all up today, I still love my 1x MM.

[martyo]

I think what they think is that I put pump fuel in it...


When you go to bed with a fine woman, she needs to be on silk sheets. If you fed her pump gas and she wasn't tuned for that, I don't think that VT is at fault. If that's the case, you may have rattled the motor. In which case, you should be getting out your check book (and, also, you should throw an apology to VT with the checks).

[MAD-3R]

I have a VT built Stroker, and I beat the snot out of it. Just ask around. :)

And I have 28k on it sence the rebuild. This includes long haul roadtrips and short haul drag passes, and no haul Dyno runs. :)

I hope VT does right by you. I have nothing but respect for the work they did on my car.

[martyo]

I have nothing but respect for the work they did on my car.

They build great motrs and deserve respect.

[RR|Suki]

When you go to bed with a fine woman, she needs to be on silk sheets. If you fed her pump gas and she wasn't tuned for that, I don't think that VT is at fault. If that's the case, you may have rattled the motor. In which case, you should be getting out your check book (and, also, you should throw an apology to VT with the checks).What I was saying there is I didn't put 87 in her, I have a 300whp 74' 1400lbs cooper S, and a 96 cougar with an 01 mustang transplanted motor, not to mention my bike... I never never never run 87 in anything... also I ran for over half a tank on the last fill... but hopefully soon we'll see what really happened to her. I know I didn't do anything to her... I never even got time to >_> They seem like good guys, I hope if it was something with the build that they will be willing to look after me, especially with 9k miles... I hope ;)

[martyo]

They seem like good guys, I hope if it was something with the build that they will be willing to look after me, especially with 9k miles... I hope ;)

They are good guys, which is why some of us here were a bit surprised that someone with a low post count would come in bashing them. Go back and read the post that started this thread.

[RR|Suki]

They are good guys, which is why some of us here were a bit surprised that someone with a low post count would come in bashing them. Go back and read the post that started this thread.Actually I was mearly stating the facts of what happened to the car, and the lesson is that built used cars can indeed be trouble, the only reason I bought it is cuz the motor is VT and they happen to be local and greatly loved. My first thread said nothing bad about them, the whole thing was about what really happened, it's not like VT sold me the car, like I stated they've been nice to me so far. So hopefully it'll work out ok.
www.msu.edu/~taylorab/mengine.jpg (http://www.msu.edu/~taylorab/mengine.jpg) kind of big posted

[martyo]

Actually I was mearly stating the facts of what happened to the car, and the lesson is that built used cars can indeed be trouble, the only reason I bought it is cuz the motor is VT and they happen to be local and greatly loved. My first thread said nothing bad about them, the whole thing was about what really happened, it's not like VT sold me the car, like I stated they've been nice to me so far. So hopefully it'll work out ok.
www.msu.edu/~taylorab/mengine.jpg (http://www.msu.edu/~taylorab/mengine.jpg) kind of big posted

The dangers of the one dimensional nature of the internet.....

[DEFYANT]

The dangers of the one dimensional nature of the internet.....
You got that right!

So often things get taken out of context in the BBs, emails or I-M. :shake:

I hope everything works out with VT. If I had not already purchased my MM, I would have gone for that car also.

Good luck

[RR|Suki]

The dangers of the one dimensional nature of the internet.....it's all good, I knew the risk of a prototype when I got her, I was just holding onto it happening in a couple years. I'm not mad about it breakin so much as I'm sad it happened so soon. Tight on the funds right now so hopefully they'll find it's something minor... or maybe the new owner is a giving person :D. Either way I hope it goes ok.

[Todd]

What I was saying there is I didn't put 87 in her, I have a 300whp 74' 1400lbs cooper S, and a 96 cougar with an 01 mustang transplanted motor, not to mention my bike... I never never never run 87 in anything... also I ran for over half a tank on the last fill... but hopefully soon we'll see what really happened to her. I know I didn't do anything to her... I never even got time to >_> They seem like good guys, I hope if it was something with the build that they will be willing to look after me, especially with 9k miles... I hope ;)

What Marty was saying (if I may restate it less eloquently) was that if it was tuned for high octane gas (like 100 octane or the like) and you put 93, that would be a problem.

However if you were told that it was tuned for pump 93 octane gas and thats what you used (and the gas station didnt break the law and put 87 in a 93 pump) then that eliminates one potential problem.

[RR|Suki]

What Marty was saying (if I may restate it less eloquently) was that if it was tuned for high octane gas (like 100 octane or the like) and you put 93, that would be a problem.

However if you were told that it was tuned for pump 93 octane gas and thats what you used (and the gas station didnt break the law and put 87 in a 93 pump) then that eliminates one potential problem.
Nah not tuned for 100, the old owner, who's the ex owner of VT ran it on pump premium... also I ran it for 4 days... dunno how this block works with the modules and the like, but if I put the wrong gas in my mini or cougar, It lets you know, pretty quickly. Also I had run a good 150 miles on the last fill before the trouble... Hopefully I'll know exactly what the problem was by the end of the week.

[martyo]

Hopefully I'll know exactly what the problem was by the end of the week.

Stay tuned for another chapter of "As the Block Rattles".....

[MarauderMark]

Hopefully I'll know exactly what the problem was by the end of the week.

I hope everything works out for ya..:up:

Heres my story . :sleepy: . :sleepy: .

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=18910

[Donny Carlson]

What I was saying there is I didn't put 87 in her, I have a 300whp 74' 1400lbs cooper S, and a 96 cougar with an 01 mustang transplanted motor, not to mention my bike...
I'll say it again, I'm living the wrong life. 21 years old. Wow.

[RR|Suki]

I'll say it again, I'm living the wrong life. 21 years old. Wow.heh actually I just live reeaaaaal carefully, my mini is a hand me down race car from my dad, the cougar transplant I got reaaaaal luck on and I'm married to my bike... I took a gamble on the marauder thought it'd hold for a few years... I just really hope it wasn't bad gas... and if it was what if anything can I say to the station, I should have the slip, and it usually says what grade you pumped... bum bum buuuummmmmmm.... all I can do at this point is laugh about it I guess :rolleyes:

[Rider90]

I'll say it again, I'm living the wrong life. 21 years old. Wow.

Donny, let me throw a word in here. At my age, 19, there are two kinds of young adults - One is the kind that gets piss drunk atleast once a week with friends, wakes up late for work or in fact doesn't have a job at all, and doesn't seem to have a passion or care for anything in the world. They come in to work, dull, bored, careless, and wonder why they get fired?

Then there are people like me, or I assume other young adults on this board, that understand time = money and have found a way to put that to use either through their real job or side-projects. I started a Web Design business at the age of 13. I was the only kid in my junior high school that just got a $800 check from a client and then later that day, I would get a ride to the surrounding town's Chamber of Commerce to get the business listing so I can send out sales letters I made that were proofread by my father. I was finding a way to earn money rather than sit on the couch for 6 hours a day so I could talk about the re-runs at school. This is why I like to stay busy, either with Graphic Design, Web Design, Detailing, Work, heck I've been mowing the family lawn for ten years because I know it brings in money. I know any time I'm not working for someone else I am not earning money, but of course, I need some down time or I'd go crazy. I call that MM.NET :D

I'm done, I just wanted to throw in a word that some "kids" or young adults are all not lazy or bums, which is something I've been accused of a lot along with age discrimination that has dwindled that past couple years.

[Joe Walsh]

Donny, let me throw a word in here. At my age, 19, there are two kinds of young adults - One is the kind that gets piss drunk atleast once a week with friends, wakes up late for work or in fact doesn't have a job at all, and doesn't seem to have a passion or care for anything in the world. They come in to work, dull, bored, careless, and wonder why they get fired?

Then there are people like me, or I assume other young adults on this board, that understand time = money and have found a way to put that to use either through their real job or side-projects. I started a Web Design business at the age of 13. I was the only kid in my junior high school that just got a $800 check from a client and then later that day, I would get a ride to the surrounding town's Chamber of Commerce to get the business listing so I can send out sales letters I made that were proofread by my father. I was finding a way to earn money rather than sit on the couch for 6 hours a day so I could talk about the re-runs at school. This is why I like to stay busy, either with Graphic Design, Web Design, Detailing, Work, heck I've been mowing the family lawn for ten years because I know it brings in money. I know any time I'm not working for someone else I am not earning money, but of course, I need some down time or I'd go crazy. I call that MM.NET :D

I'm done, I just wanted to throw in a word that some "kids" or young adults are all not lazy or bums, which is something I've been accused of a lot along with age discrimination that has dwindled that past couple years.


Well said!!!

It is SO refreshing to hear such statements from a young adult!

I too am guilty of 'pidgeon-holing' all young adults into the: "slack jawed, don't want to do anything but get wasted and play video games" category.
I guess my stereotyping comes from dealing with so many young adults who feel that if they aren't offered a $45,000/year starting salary, the job is beneath their awesome talents...yet they can't even make proper change at the check-out register. :mad:

I worked very hard as a young adult and enjoyed the benefits by purchasing a used 1965 Mustang GT Fastback when I was 19 years old.....($2,200!..the good 'ole days!)
that started my long decent into 'motorhead madness'!!!

[Donny Carlson]

One is the kind that gets piss drunk atleast once a week with friends....
Ahh, that pretty much sums up MY misspent youth, only it was more frequent than once a week. :o

[GarageMahal]

Ahh, that pretty much sums up MY misspent youth, only it was more frequent than once a week. :o

You are not alone ;)

[Rider90]

Ahh, that pretty much sums up MY misspent youth, only it was more frequent than once a week. :o

I have no disagreement with that, nor do I oppose it. Hell, if you want to do it, and you enjoy it, do it often. You only live once, and you only remember about half of it anyways, so cheers! My only tiff is the other teenagers that sit around without a job, search for a reason to announce a party that night often succeeding, and they wonder why after they get back to reality they still don't have anything? I know for a fact that some friends from my high school hold a grudge on me because I have owned two very nice vehicles and they assume I'm spoiled rather than ask "How do I do it?" there is no secret, listen to what the baby-booming generation has to say about work and start from there. Take that shelf-restocking job, start now, and look up the word 'Job Security" and get to know your boss. I could go on and on...

But Donny, man, if you enjoyed that mispent youth even a little, and you like where you are now, it was worth it, right? ;)

[STLR FN]

I was going to buy the VT back in Nov, but payments were going to be to high for me at the time. Oh Well
OH Welcome to the site. I see you found out there's nothing really special 'bout these Marauders. :rolleyes:

So I bought the Marauder VT... drove it 4 days.. count em 4 and the car died, I didn't even get to drive her hard, I took it in to get balanced and aligned, then drove to my grandma's, got my mom from the airport. So driving back from the Detroit metro airport on the freeway... knocking then stall.... so 4 days the motor has 9k miles max on it. All I can do is laugh, and think maybe VT motors aren't all they are cracked up to be... so now a great deal has become garbage, lesson here is don't buy a built used car, even if it was built by pros:down: ...:bigcry:

P.S. If anyone out there has contacts with anyone or companies who would be willing to be sponsors so I can get the motor fixed that would be sweeeeeeeet... cuz yeah as it stands I have no money to fix it:bigcry:

[martyo]

I know for a fact that some friends from my high school hold a grudge on me because I have owned two very nice vehicles and they assume I'm spoiled rather than ask "How do I do it?"

Trust me this happens even when you are an adult too. But the best revenge is to work hard and live well. There are no apologies necessary.

[Petrograde]

Ahh, that pretty much sums up MY misspent youth, only it was more frequent than once a week. :o

^^ me too^^

When I was 19 I was a Private in the Army, stationed in Korea. I'm told I had a really good time there! :P

I've noticed we have quite a few responsible, sqaured-away young adults here. :up: I hope there's a lot more, we need 'em! :P

[sailsmen]

Any news on your motor?

[RR|Suki]

Any news on your motor?nope gonna call tomorrow (wed) and see if they have even gotten to it, they were finishing 2 other motors for delivery. kinda sucks having the car for a month and only driven it 4 days :(, as soon as I hear anything I'll be sure to post... I hope that will happen tomorrow...

[Warpath]

...kinda sucks having the car for a month and only driven it 4 days :(, as soon as I hear anything I'll be sure to post...

I feel your pain. I took my newly SC'ed Cobra to Livernois Motorsports to get tuned. They had it for 3 months and I only got to drive it once during that time (long story). I got it back damaged. I had to wait about a year in Lidio's line before it was running again. I drove it only a few times in two years (once was just up on a trailer). It sucked.