Did I Make a Mistake?

[fried1765]

the parts issue is not unique to mahindra, everything everywhere is out of stock, doesn't really matter what it is.

that said they are not lying about part shortages. i just bought a mahindra used, i called a dealer looking for info, we got talking for hours. apparently there is only 1 distribution warehouse in texas in all of the usa. everything else comes by boat. he told me he has stuff back ordered 3 + months at this point. even hst filters, crazy common stuff for them. Just an fyi, the lack of after market does scare me a bit as dealer prices are much higher then even i am use to.

It seems as though in this case it is a design issue.
If 20 more tanks were actually readily available, they would not be a satisfactory resolution to a faulty design issue.
Getting a different tank design, or a different tractor, is likely the ONLY long term solution to this problem.

 

[LittleBill21]

It seems as though in this case it is a design issue.
If 20 more tanks were actually readily available, they would not be a satisfactory resolution to a faulty design issue.
Getting a different tank design, or a different tractor, is likely the ONLY long term solution to this problem.

I was only speaking in regards to part issues, agreed if you have multiple failures on brand new units, either they were installed incorrectly or the part is defective.

 

[Tinhack]

None of that is the buyer's fault.
It's still early in your complaint so I would give the dealer a chance to make it right. But make certain he knows you're not happy about having a tractor that can't be used. Ask him what he intends to do about it right now--Not 3+ months from now. Did you pay cash or making payment?

Leaking fuel certainly is a safety issue. See if there was a recall on the model line. If there was, the dealer could be in deep do-do for selling it. If there wasn't, call the Consumer Safety Commission. They can have the entire model line(s) with that tank recalled or have the manufacturer replace the tank with a new design. I had to do that with a new Murray Lawn Tractor I bought which developed a leaking gas tank within a couple of months. It didn't take long to have the new tank in my hands either.

 

[fried1765]

None of that is the buyer's fault.
It's still early in your complaint so I would give the dealer a chance to make it right. But make certain he knows you're not happy about having a tractor that can't be used. Ask him what he intends to do about it right now--Not 3+ months from now. Did you pay cash or making payment?

Leaking fuel certainly is a safety issue. See if there was a recall on the model line. If there was, the dealer could be in deep do-do for selling it. If there wasn't, call the Consumer Safety Commission. They can have the entire model line(s) with that tank recalled or have the manufacturer replace the tank with a new design. I had to do that with a new Murray Lawn Tractor I bought which developed a leaking gas tank within a couple of months. It didn't take long to have the new tank in my hands either.

"It didn't take long to have that new tank in my hands either"

A Mahindra made tank?.
Yah think?
From India ??

 

[Tinhack]

The Feds have big mojo no mater where the tractor was made. They sent an inspector out to my place to look at mine. Took pictures and made a report. There was a nation wide recall on Murrays about the same time. The factory had a choice. Fix the owner's problem or recall all the tractors. Mahindra is in trouble here as it is. They won't want a major recall or something like this hitting the media.

Safety and environment issues will get the Feds moving quickly. :thumbsup:

 

[s219]

My neighbor had some problems with his Mahindra and they were terrible to deal with. He finally had an attorney send Mahindra a letter saying he would no longer be making monthly payments because it was unusable, and they could come take it back. They came and took it back! Hard to believe that was easier for them than fixing the problem. If he had paid cash I am sure he would have been totally out of luck.

 

[xrjohndeere]

Recently purchased a Mahindra 2645. It痴 a new 2019 model. I picked it up a little more than three weeks ago from a dealer in Alabama. I filled it up around two weeks back. A few days later I could smell diesel fuel. It looked as if it may have been leaking around the main fuel line existing the bottom of the fuel tank. I tightened it up. A few days later I noticed it was still leaking so I removed the top cover off the back of the cab and looked at the return line. The area was dry. I removed the six cab bolts which attaches the fuel tank to the tractor and found every tank insert has cracked the tank and has caused it to leak at four attachment points. I called the selling dealer who suggested I call my local dealer. I called the local dealer and found out this tank has no ETA and there are zero in the supply chain. Did I make a mistake in purchasing Mahindra? Should I take it back to the selling dealer and request a full refund? Should I take legal action against the selling dealer and Mahindra? Appreciate any insight.

Thanks,

Chris

Ask the dealer if you can repair the tank without voiding warranty while you are waiting for the new one. Get you a plastic welder and fix your cracks to seal it up. Find out what plastic the tank is made from and get the correct filler. Bevel cracks and lay in filler plastic. Heat up surrounding plastic and embed expanded metal for support. Check for leaks. Once no leaks are found get you a piece of stiff thin aluminum or sheet metal and cut out in pattern of your tank. Drill proper holes for mounting. Use auto body panel bond to adhere the plate to the plastic tank. I bet you fix it like this you will never have another problem with it. Easy to do. Plastic welding is simple if you have a good heating welder. I use a hot air welder. Works good. If you were close to mid Missouri I would fix it for you. Mark.

 

[Tinhack]

If he had paid cash I am sure he would have been totally out of luck.

Not so. If it can be shown the dealer had reasonable knowledge the problem existed and sold it anyway--Like spots on the ground every time he moved it, it may be worth triple damages.

 

[Tinhack]

The idea of auto body panel bond is a good one! It's a urethane adhesive used to assemble some car bodies. If you can't find that, urethane auto window adhesive will do the same. It's used to bond front and rear glass to auto bodies. The glass and bond become a structural element of the body.

 

[Peter 315]

I don't know anybody that would spend 30k on a new tractor and want to fix manufacturer defects from day one ......... Just get your money back........Would you spend 30k on a car or truck and start fixing it also......

 

[rademamj1]

OP is probably sick of Mahindra fuel tanks by now, but this site can send you a 9.5 gal aluminum fuel tank for mounting on back of your tractor. So instead of fabricating the tank, just fabricate the mounting.

They make aluminum tanks mainly for off road vehicles and Agricultural tractors.

https://www.spunaluminumgastanks.com/

 

[JethroB]

I don't know anybody that would spend 30k on a new tractor and want to fix manufacturer defects from day one ......... Just get your money back........Would you spend 30k on a car or truck and start fixing it also......

I agree. Start tinkering and fixing and it could void the warranty. And what about resell value down the road with a rigged up fuel tank?

 

[xrjohndeere]

I agree. Start tinkering and fixing and it could void the warranty. And what about resell value down the road with a rigged up fuel tank?

If you read the whole thread I stated to check with the dealer first about the warranty issue before making any repairs. If the tractor can稚 be used the way it is leaking then what would it hurt? The dealers I know would say do what it takes to get you going until they get the proper part. Beats having a $30000 dollar yard ornament.

 

[xrjohndeere]

If the company was not fixing it and I need it, sure I would.

 

[rademamj1]

I think any competent individual could purchase an aluminum diesel tank and install it until a certified replacement fuel tank from Mahindra arrives.

Who really wants to park their tractor 3-4 months until an uncracked OEM replacement tank is found.

 

[JethroB]

If you read the whole thread I stated to check with the dealer first about the warranty issue before making any repairs. If the tractor can稚 be used the way it is leaking then what would it hurt? The dealers I know would say do what it takes to get you going until they get the proper part. Beats having a $30000 dollar yard ornament.

Dealers don't issue warranties, Mahindra Corp. does. Hopefully Mahindra will step up. Sorry for your troubles.

 

[rademamj1]

Best of success at bringing it back. That's probably the best choice right now.

 

[Chrisb009]

Quick update - the selling dealer's President called me Friday afternoon. He said they would try to find a tank via calling dealers throughout the US. A few hours after speaking with the company President their parts department called. They did locate a tank of the same part number. It's a TYM tank but the same thing / part number as TYM builds this particular Mahindra model. They are going to ship it Monday (tomorrow) so I should have it sometime next week. The dealership has really stepped up to help fix this issue so I am very pleased with the dealership just not overly pleased with Mahindra. Mahindra should have worked with TYM to redesign the tank (seriously doubt the new tank will be a redesign) so my main concern is long term tank issues. I have ordered stainless steel banding and banding clamps which should be here sometime this coming week. My thought is to band the tank to the rear of the tractor, via two bands on each side of the tank routed through the back wall, and forgo the bolts into the tank all together. This should eliminate the tank cracking around the bolt inserts and resolve the issue entirely. Thoughts?

Thanks,

Chris

 

[fried1765]

Quick update - the selling dealer's President called me Friday afternoon. He said they would try to find a tank via calling dealers throughout the US. A few hours after speaking with the company President their parts department called. They did locate a tank of the same part number. It's a TYM tank but the same thing / part number as TYM builds this particular Mahindra model. They are going to ship it Monday (tomorrow) so I should have it sometime next week. The dealership has really stepped up to help fix this issue so I am very pleased with the dealership just not overly pleased with Mahindra. Mahindra should have worked with TYM to redesign the tank (seriously doubt the new tank will be a redesign) so my main concern is long term tank issues. I have ordered stainless steel banding and banding clamps which should be here sometime this coming week. My thought is to band the tank to the rear of the tractor, via two bands on each side of the tank routed through the back wall, and forgo the bolts into the tank all together. This should eliminate the tank cracking around the bolt inserts and resolve the issue entirely. Thoughts?

Thanks,

Chris

I think you are way ahead of the Mahindra curve with your banding plan!
GO FOR IT !!!!

 

[Peter 315]

Quick update - the selling dealer's President called me Friday afternoon. He said they would try to find a tank via calling dealers throughout the US. A few hours after speaking with the company President their parts department called. They did locate a tank of the same part number. It's a TYM tank but the same thing / part number as TYM builds this particular Mahindra model. They are going to ship it Monday (tomorrow) so I should have it sometime next week. The dealership has really stepped up to help fix this issue so I am very pleased with the dealership just not overly pleased with Mahindra. Mahindra should have worked with TYM to redesign the tank (seriously doubt the new tank will be a redesign) so my main concern is long term tank issues. I have ordered stainless steel banding and banding clamps which should be here sometime this coming week. My thought is to band the tank to the rear of the tractor, via two bands on each side of the tank routed through the back wall, and forgo the bolts into the tank all together. This should eliminate the tank cracking around the bolt inserts and resolve the issue entirely. Thoughts?

Thanks,

Chris

Maybe use a few bolts with no heads as pins to align the tank..