So it's been a while since my last Jasper rant. Some of you may remember the oil leak my engine developed between the head and timing cover after about 10k miles and the month long fight I had with them to pay for it. Recently (after about 30k) it started burning a qt of oil every 500 miles or so. I took it in again under warranty and $100 later they said that it was a bad PCV valve and wasn't covered under warranty. 500 more miles, another qt of oil gone.

I went back and forth with Jasper for a few months about this trying heavier weight oils, high mileage oil etc. with no improvement. Finally, after a letter to the VP of Sales, they agreed to let me take it in again for investigation. After a barrage of testing and waiting on Jasper (took over a month), the shop determined that a ring had failed and scored the wall of cyl#3. A new engine was shipped to them and the old one was returned to Jasper.

Fast forward another week-Truck is done but Jasper won't pay up for the $1500 worth of labor because they "haven't finished their investigation." Finally, after I called the warranty tech every day for a week I get a call saying that they determined the damage was due to detonation and is not covered under their warranty but they won't charge me for the replacement engine, I ONLY have to cover the labor. I was obviously quite shocked as it was running fine, plugs came out looking good, no signs of detonation when driving, timing was spot-on. The shop was also baffled by this as Jasper made them drive it 300miles and they noticed no signs of anything they claimed, but Jasper wouldn't back down.

I finally went ahead and paid the shop since they were kind of caught in the middle and am now drafting yet another letter to the VP as well as the BBB and any other consumer advocacy group I can find. My injectors are on their way to get flow tested and I will be trying to validate the rest of my fuel and ignition systems.

For anyone considering buying ANYTHING from these guys, think again. Everyone that recommended them to me had never had a problem that required the use of their "warranty." While this says that they do make a quality product for the most part, most people pay the premium they charge because of their 3yr/75k warranty. While they do not disclose it at the time of purchase, they will only cover $52/hr for labor, even if it is a defect on their part, leaving you to pay the balance. Most shops in my area charge $75-85/hr, I don't think you'll find anyone in the country that will take anything near $52/hr.

Jasper will also do their best to make you and the shop you choose (from THEIR provider list) give up. Their technicians treated myself and the service managers at both of the shops that did the warranty work like idiots. The last service manager commented that their technicians were some of the most arrogant people he had ever spoken with. After this experience they are no longer doing business with Jasper and are now sourcing engines and transmissions from other vendors.

I understand that Jasper has a good reputation, but I'd be willing to bet that anyone recommending them has not had to deal with a warranty issue. I paid $1500 more for an engine from them over a local rebuilder because of their warranty and reputation, and have now spent another $1600 on labor to avoid voiding my warranty (can't work on it yourself by their warranty policy). I could have done a nice engine swap with the extra $3100 or had my Supra running and putting out 400hp <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I just wanted to post my experience and hopefully save some people from the nightmare I've been through. I'm actually considering selling my 4-Runner because I'm so sick of dealing with it and Jasper, although I'll probably keep it because that would be letting them win....