• Welcome to RCTalk! 🚀

    Join the #1 RC community where hobbyists connect, share, and get expert advice on RC cars, trucks, boats, drones, and more!

    • ✓ Friendly & passionate RC enthusiasts
    • ✓ RC tips & troubleshooting
    • ✓ Buy, sell & trade RC gear
    • ✓ Share builds & upgrades

OS Engines and service suck! Buyer Beware!

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
B

Blackbird85

RCTalk Member
Messages
35
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Coventry
RC Driving Style
My OS-18 Engine sucks! Thier service is worse!

I bought the OS-18TM. I sent the engine in to Hobby Services (which is OS's US service company) after just a few tanks because the starter shaft fit so sloppy with the backplate bushing that it chewed up 2 brand new one way bearings and 2 new pullstarts. They replaced the backplate but tried to tell me that there was nothing wrong with the original one and they only replaced it because I asked them to. That was a lie that they told me so that they wouldn't have to replace the $80 worth of starter parts that I smoked. The motor came back and has absolutely no compression. This thing hasn't run right since day one and after only 1/2 gallon of fuel through it there is now no compression so when it warms up even slightly it will stall unless you stay on the throttle. I contacted Hobby Services because I didn't want to spend the $ to send them the engine again if they were going to lie again and they told me I could send it in but it sounds like operator error. They gave me a link to some crappy FAQ site for review. I asked them what criteria they use to determine if its operator error or a warranty issue and they said that pretty much anything can be explained away as operator error. This means that no matter what I send it in for they will come back and tell me it isn't a warranty repair. That's not what I call quality customer service. It's more like lip service. Oh yeah, as I was getting it ready to send back to them I noticed the Idle adjustment screw head is split in half with half missing. What junk. And no that is not the problem with the engine. The o-ring is there and sealing fine.Save you money and your sanity and spend you engine dollars with someone other than OS.
 
Last edited:
Sorry to hear about your troubles, I've never had a problem with any OS engine I have or their service. I thought Horizon Hobbies was their US service rep. Regardless, I'd call and ask to speak with a manager not just any moron you get on the phone. Run down your hobby experience with him/her and be civil at first. You may want to document any slop if it's visible with a camera or video camera. Good luck.
 
Those are the distributors. They do not handle service/warranty issues. All service issues have to go through Hobby Services.
 
No problems with my OS but sounds like there service sucks. Sorry bro. There is always RB.
 
I've also never had any problems with my O.s. in any of my rc's. I will only fly with a o.s. in my planes and have had a couple in rc10gt's I've had and they were awesome. I never had any problems to have to call customer service, so I dunno about that, but I do know that O.s. is one of the best mills a person can get. Sorry to hear about your probs.
 
Sorry to hear about your problems, but I have to believe it's the exception and not the rule. I just put an OS .18TM in my Revo and couldn't be happier. I've run other OS mills in my MT and my plane and they've always performed very well!

Just as a suggestion, I'd follow jetmech's advice and escalate it on their end with a manager. It also wouldn't hurt to shoot a message off to OS themselves, as I'm sure they'd want to be aware of what one of their contractors (because that is what this company is) is doing.

I hope it turns out alright for ya! Good luck!
 
Thanks for the replies guys and not trashing me for venting a little bit. Everything I heard about OS was above positive which is why I decided to get the 18TM for my REVO. I just can't believe how crappy the service has been and since this thing was crap from the beginning I unfortunately am the guy stuck with that 1 in a million or thousand that has a problem that they won't resolve. Sucks cause it really has dampened my RC budget and desire to go play for fear of being reminded that I just got screwed. I guess it's off to OS directly if I can find a solid contact number for them.
 
Did you get this through a LHS? Maybe get with them and see if they can help out. Sometimes, getting OS's customer (the LHS) engaged brings quicker results. Just an idea.
 
I tried the LHS. They said that the service companies won't take anything back from the hobby shops. All service requests have to come with a sales receipt from the owner. They may be able to contact the distributor or the company directly and see if they won't take a look at it or take the RC Tech's opinion that it's a defective engine. Thanks for the advice and for bringing me back down. Nothing gets accomplished from getting angry.
 
Monkey Wrench, I got it up at Hobbytown USA in Centerville. I talked to them yesturday and they suggested that I call Great Planes but to beware that thier customer service isn't any better and I'll probably get the same runaround. Nice. I wish they told me that before I bought the engine from them.

Where do you race your ride. I am guessing Dirt Country? We just built a new track in Centervile (hiddenhillsrc.com) and had an awesome first season with a regular turnout each Sunday of anywhere from 15 to 20 cars.
 
I say bring it back to the LHS....that is what they are there for....if they sell a product they are supposed to back it...you pay a premium to buy from a store...that premium pays for them to deal w/ bad poop.....they sold it, they should return it...if not, start looking for a small mom and pop shop or one online that actually cares about helping instead of screwing it's customers...sorry to hear about your problem.......I like OS too and never had any problems w/ their mills to where I needed to warantee them......
 
Thanks for the support Plaidfish. You are absolutely right. I am going to bring it back there and have them deal with it. I spent at least $2k there this summer and paid a premium with the attitude that I was supporting a local business. Well it's thier turn to support thier customer. I use my buying power as leverage to get this settled.
 
sry to hear that thats the first time I've ever heard os having a bad motor but thats life man they make thousands of engines you just got unlucky and got a defective one i think.
 
well i must have got one two i think i am heading in same direction! !i had a roto starte on my 2.5 worked great got the .18 os, well after 5th tank oneway got chewed up was at last race of points season at a nearby club holding on to 3rd place.so i had to acked fast ran down to hobby store paid 22.00$ for a new oneway got back put it in it was acting crazy slippin making noises i was able to finish the main race for the day held third in points. well got home called HOBBY SERVICES [LOL]they acted like i was full of sh--.and like they could care less.so i didn't even bother sending it to them.so i got a pullstarte now an got new oneway coming off ebay for 10.00$ if this does not last few months i guess i will be emailing o.s
 
Hey tbone, I am sorry to hear that you are having the exact same problem as me but I am glad at least that someone else chimed in with the same problem. I was worried everyone might think I was just a loser and couldn't break in an engine properly. I have 6 other engines and all run great. This OS is the only one I have had a problem with. Please keep me updated on how you make out. Maybe we can contact OS together and get a resolution. I am afraid if you use a pull start and the same thing happens that it might suck the cord in like mine and smoke your engine. Take a close look at the starter shaft and backplate bushing clearance. If its a sloppy fit then you will probably ruin another one way and maybe your starter. If so let me now and we'll contact them together. There's no way they can ignore two customers with the same exact problem. I wouldn't bother sending hobby services the motor either. They were useless to me. Like I said. Please let me know how you make out. Post back here and email me at [email protected]

Thanks and good luck, Bill
 
Last edited:
Hey Bill-

I've never been to Dirt Country, but I've heard it's not bad there. I'm really not much of a racer...yet! Kinda hard to get out for a full day with two small kids at home, but hopefully next summer I can get out more often.

Sorry to hear you're still struggling with the OS, but I don't believe anyone here thought you were a loser. I think most of us are more surprised that an OS mill is giving you such fits and that their customer service is so bad for you.

If you want to try a different HobbyTown, there is one off Fields-Ertel Rd. that I visit often. The guy that runs it is named Kevin and is a super, super guy! It may be worth a shot to at least call him and see what he can do for you. I know each HobbyTown is individually owned, but maybe he knows someone at Great Planes that can help. My name is Ellery and he knows me (not that it will necessarily help you, but I've dropped some serious coin in his shop!) If you look on their web site, it's the one listed in Waterstone Shopping Center.

Anyhow, good luck!
 
Monkey Wrench, Thanks, I wasn't all that concerned but I appreciate the response. I have purchased alot from the HobbyTown down off Fields Ertle also. I'll ask them for a contact if I can't get it from the store in Centerville where I got the engine from. If you ever decide to head out to a track you should come check out hiddenhillsrc.com. We have a sweet new layout. Of course we are closed now for the season and most of our guys are now going up to Columbus to race at CRCRC but come early Spring or late Winter we'll be back in business. I can't wait to get this engine problem solved so that I can go join them.
 

RC Builds

Back
Top