Lousy Defi Boost Gage
07-26-07 | 07:34 PM
#1
Lousy Defi Boost Gage
I bought a Defi D-series boost gage last year before they were discontinued. It arrived with the pointer sitting at ~3PSI. Well I finally installed it and it's obviously reading high. I got out my Mityvac today and, sure enough, it reads a consistant 4 PSI off all across it's vacuum range (my mityvac gage only shows vac).
Questions:
What kind of junk is that? 4 PSI is a 12% error! On a boost gage, no less! True, I bought the gage as it is a good match to the OEM gages but I thought Defi was respected for quality?
Do you all think I can assume the consistent error on vacuum will translate to the the same error rate on boost?
Do you think Defi will fix it if I send it back? I purchased over a year ago and the warranty is for 1 year.
Anybody have any experience with Defi's customer service?
Thanks
Questions:
What kind of junk is that? 4 PSI is a 12% error! On a boost gage, no less! True, I bought the gage as it is a good match to the OEM gages but I thought Defi was respected for quality?
Do you all think I can assume the consistent error on vacuum will translate to the the same error rate on boost?
Do you think Defi will fix it if I send it back? I purchased over a year ago and the warranty is for 1 year.
Anybody have any experience with Defi's customer service?
Thanks
07-26-07 | 07:53 PM
#2
i acually got the same thing but i still have it lying around somewhere never installed.. but i have heard that model acually had some problems but my needle is at 0 psi
07-26-07 | 09:02 PM
#3
Mine sits at zero. I've never tested it but have no reason to believe it's not accurate.
Maybe the vendor you bought it from can still get them. Since it's been over a year, even if they won't refund, they might exchange.
Maybe the vendor you bought it from can still get them. Since it's been over a year, even if they won't refund, they might exchange.
07-26-07 | 09:06 PM
#4
my defi boost d-gauge reads fine but it sounds like air is seeping through some part in the gauge. i checked and ziptied it but still the same. and my defi water temp d-gauge sensor wire (not the sensor) was burnt by one of the turbos and gives a short circuit error. defi is impossible to contact so i had to go through sp engineering since they are one of their dealers and i ordered a sensor wire supposodly for the d-gague and it doesnt even fit. they probably discontinued it beacuse all the d-gauges were fuct to begin with.
07-26-07 | 09:16 PM
#5
Here is my attempt at getting an RMA. Nippon Seki made it sound like they a distributor can escalate a replacement to them and since it is discontinued, Nippon Seki will be able to draw on their repair/replacement stock.
I contaced Edwin at EDO Performance by phone and filled him in on Hiroshi's response. I told him mine was probably out of warranty and that I would pay whatever charges there were. He said his cost to do the replacement was $80. He said he would look into it. After several months I sent an e-mail to check up on the RMA and they kicked me to the curb as you can see.
I might try Hiroshi at Nippon Seki again. Maybe they will be more helpful.
Gordon
I contaced Edwin at EDO Performance by phone and filled him in on Hiroshi's response. I told him mine was probably out of warranty and that I would pay whatever charges there were. He said his cost to do the replacement was $80. He said he would look into it. After several months I sent an e-mail to check up on the RMA and they kicked me to the curb as you can see.
I might try Hiroshi at Nippon Seki again. Maybe they will be more helpful.
Gordon
Gordon Gray to info
show details Apr 10
Hi, I have a bad Defi boost D-Gauge pt# DF03604. Attached is an
e-mail reply from Defi. I think Hiroshi said that since you are a
distributor, if you are out of stock, you can escalate my repair to
them. Can you do this for me? What do I need to do? Thanks in
advance.
Gordon Gray
From: Defi Shop <XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX@nippon-seiki.co.jp>
Date: Apr 10, 2007 7:30 PM
Subject: Re: Defi Inquiry
To: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Hi, Gordon.
This misalignment is caused by impact from outside or during transportation.
Our mechanical gauges box is packed in larger box with cushioning to avoid
the impact.
So, if you have not used this cushioning box for transportation, it will be
misaligned easily.
And once it happened, no way to fix it.
That is why we do not offer mechanical turbo gauge in new BlueRacer line.
If your local distributor have any inventory, (We ship D-Gauge mechanical
turbo gauges to support customer's repair or replacement..) you can escalate
them.
Thank you and best regards.
Hiroshi Kagami
Defi
> name：Gordon Gray
> E-Mail：XXXXXXXXXX
> email2：XXXXXXXXX
> when：first
> year：no answer
> month：no answer
> age：25 to 29
> country：US
> product：DF03604 D-Gauge Mechanical Boost
> shop name：Shop Name
> shop address：Shop Address
> where buy6：friend
> where buy：
> question：My Defi Boost D-Gauge needle does not sit at "0" when I have the
> gauge out of the car or if the car isn't started. It is about 1/2" off of
> zero. Is there something wrong with it? Can you fix it?
> maker：Mazda
> model：RX-7
> cc：
> year：1993
> type：Touring
> gear：manual
> Send：Send
From: Gordon Gray [mailto:XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX]
Sent: Monday, June 25, 2007 6:30 PM
To: XXXXXXXXXXXX@edoperformance.com
Subject: Re: Defi Inquiry
Edwin, I am just following up to see where we are at with this RMA for
Defi D Boost Gauge. Thanks.
Gordon
Louie <XXXXXXXXX@edoperformance.com> to me, edwin
show details Jul 2
Hello Mr. Gray,
My apologies, but the D-gauge boost was discontinued about 2 years ago and
we no longer have any inventory for replacement. As Mr. Kagami mentioned,
this item can not be fixed. Have you considered a boost gauge from one of
Defi's other lines?
Regards,
Louie
show details Apr 10
Hi, I have a bad Defi boost D-Gauge pt# DF03604. Attached is an
e-mail reply from Defi. I think Hiroshi said that since you are a
distributor, if you are out of stock, you can escalate my repair to
them. Can you do this for me? What do I need to do? Thanks in
advance.
Gordon Gray
From: Defi Shop <XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX@nippon-seiki.co.jp>
Date: Apr 10, 2007 7:30 PM
Subject: Re: Defi Inquiry
To: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Hi, Gordon.
This misalignment is caused by impact from outside or during transportation.
Our mechanical gauges box is packed in larger box with cushioning to avoid
the impact.
So, if you have not used this cushioning box for transportation, it will be
misaligned easily.
And once it happened, no way to fix it.
That is why we do not offer mechanical turbo gauge in new BlueRacer line.
If your local distributor have any inventory, (We ship D-Gauge mechanical
turbo gauges to support customer's repair or replacement..) you can escalate
them.
Thank you and best regards.
Hiroshi Kagami
Defi
> name：Gordon Gray
> E-Mail：XXXXXXXXXX
> email2：XXXXXXXXX
> when：first
> year：no answer
> month：no answer
> age：25 to 29
> country：US
> product：DF03604 D-Gauge Mechanical Boost
> shop name：Shop Name
> shop address：Shop Address
> where buy6：friend
> where buy：
> question：My Defi Boost D-Gauge needle does not sit at "0" when I have the
> gauge out of the car or if the car isn't started. It is about 1/2" off of
> zero. Is there something wrong with it? Can you fix it?
> maker：Mazda
> model：RX-7
> cc：
> year：1993
> type：Touring
> gear：manual
> Send：Send
From: Gordon Gray [mailto:XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX]
Sent: Monday, June 25, 2007 6:30 PM
To: XXXXXXXXXXXX@edoperformance.com
Subject: Re: Defi Inquiry
Edwin, I am just following up to see where we are at with this RMA for
Defi D Boost Gauge. Thanks.
Gordon
Louie <XXXXXXXXX@edoperformance.com> to me, edwin
show details Jul 2
Hello Mr. Gray,
My apologies, but the D-gauge boost was discontinued about 2 years ago and
we no longer have any inventory for replacement. As Mr. Kagami mentioned,
this item can not be fixed. Have you considered a boost gauge from one of
Defi's other lines?
Regards,
Louie
07-26-07 | 09:40 PM
#6
Yeah, after about 2 years of working fine, my D-gauge needle now shows inaccurate. That was the second boost D-gauge to go bad (first one arrived bad), so I just purchased a Blue Racer boost gauge to replace it.
07-26-07 | 11:02 PM
#7
Here is my attempt at getting an RMA. Nippon Seki made it sound like they a distributor can escalate a replacement to them and since it is discontinued, Nippon Seki will be able to draw on their repair/replacement stock.
I contaced Edwin at EDO Performance by phone and filled him in on Hiroshi's response. I told him mine was probably out of warranty and that I would pay whatever charges there were. He said his cost to do the replacement was $80. He said he would look into it. After several months I sent an e-mail to check up on the RMA and they kicked me to the curb as you can see.
I might try Hiroshi at Nippon Seki again. Maybe they will be more helpful.
Gordon
I contaced Edwin at EDO Performance by phone and filled him in on Hiroshi's response. I told him mine was probably out of warranty and that I would pay whatever charges there were. He said his cost to do the replacement was $80. He said he would look into it. After several months I sent an e-mail to check up on the RMA and they kicked me to the curb as you can see.
I might try Hiroshi at Nippon Seki again. Maybe they will be more helpful.
Gordon
Trending Topics
07-27-07 | 12:16 AM
#9
Amber or red are the best for night driving since they don't contract your pupils as a brighter color would.
07-27-07 | 01:33 AM
#10
Full Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 234
Likes: 0
From: Arroyo Grande, CA
The gauge can be re-zeroed by removing the crimped bezel, pulling the pointer and then pressing it back on at zero.
I have calibrated or modified several Defi gauges by first having the crimped bezel removed by these guys: www.gaugeguys.com (APT Instruments International). They have an old Stewart Warner gauge bezel roller that they can use to unroll and reroll the bezel.
I had a D series boost gauge that was 2.5 psi off and was able to correct it. I have also changed the backlighting of Defi Link Meter gauges to amber by having APT remove and install the bezel.
I have calibrated or modified several Defi gauges by first having the crimped bezel removed by these guys: www.gaugeguys.com (APT Instruments International). They have an old Stewart Warner gauge bezel roller that they can use to unroll and reroll the bezel.
I had a D series boost gauge that was 2.5 psi off and was able to correct it. I have also changed the backlighting of Defi Link Meter gauges to amber by having APT remove and install the bezel.
07-27-07 | 11:45 AM
#11
The gauge can be re-zeroed by removing the crimped bezel, pulling the pointer and then pressing it back on at zero.
I have calibrated or modified several Defi gauges by first having the crimped bezel removed by these guys: www.gaugeguys.com (APT Instruments International). They have an old Stewart Warner gauge bezel roller that they can use to unroll and reroll the bezel.
I had a D series boost gauge that was 2.5 psi off and was able to correct it. I have also changed the backlighting of Defi Link Meter gauges to amber by having APT remove and install the bezel.
I have calibrated or modified several Defi gauges by first having the crimped bezel removed by these guys: www.gaugeguys.com (APT Instruments International). They have an old Stewart Warner gauge bezel roller that they can use to unroll and reroll the bezel.
I had a D series boost gauge that was 2.5 psi off and was able to correct it. I have also changed the backlighting of Defi Link Meter gauges to amber by having APT remove and install the bezel.
07-27-07 | 09:25 PM
#14
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 551
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati, OH, USA
+1 on that.
WTF?? One day everybody is dying to get these "old" d-gauges and the next minute ther're crap?!?!?! I don't think so.
I've had a couple of both the boost and water temp. Both were fine. Besides, with mechanical gauges you're bound to have some inconsistencies......
WTF?? One day everybody is dying to get these "old" d-gauges and the next minute ther're crap?!?!?! I don't think so.
I've had a couple of both the boost and water temp. Both were fine. Besides, with mechanical gauges you're bound to have some inconsistencies......
07-30-07 | 08:45 PM
#15
Sometimes I can't understand Defi.
Hi, Gordon.
When we terminate the production of D-Gauge turbo, we have shipped last time
buy gauges for the replacement. So, we can not provide this old gauge
anymore.
Our last time shipment is used for the post sales services, not for the
additional sales.
So, if your distributor has run out of the inventory, we can not fulfill it.
Because it is End Of Life product.
Thank you and best regards.
Hiroshi Kagami
Defi
When we terminate the production of D-Gauge turbo, we have shipped last time
buy gauges for the replacement. So, we can not provide this old gauge
anymore.
Our last time shipment is used for the post sales services, not for the
additional sales.
So, if your distributor has run out of the inventory, we can not fulfill it.
Because it is End Of Life product.
Thank you and best regards.
Hiroshi Kagami
Defi
07-31-07 | 04:04 PM
#19
Unless I missed something, he bought a boost gauge that went defective after the warranty expired, and it happened to go out of production. Hence, they weren't willing or able to replace it for free. Not too many company's offer life-time free replacements, especially for products they stop making. I've been happy as hell so far with my DEFI guage which I bought about 3 years ago. But if it goes bad, I'm not going to expect them to replace it free.
I'm not trying to minimize the frustration....most of us have been there. But come on, it's almost like it would have been better had they not responded to his email at all.
08-01-07 | 01:37 AM
#20
What does it say? That Hiroshi's command of English, and their product isn't perfect?
Unless I missed something, he bought a boost gauge that went defective after the warranty expired, and it happened to go out of production. Hence, they weren't willing or able to replace it for free. Not too many company's offer life-time free replacements, especially for products they stop making. I've been happy as hell so far with my DEFI guage which I bought about 3 years ago. But if it goes bad, I'm not going to expect them to replace it free.
I'm not trying to minimize the frustration....most of us have been there. But come on, it's almost like it would have been better had they not responded to his email at all.
Unless I missed something, he bought a boost gauge that went defective after the warranty expired, and it happened to go out of production. Hence, they weren't willing or able to replace it for free. Not too many company's offer life-time free replacements, especially for products they stop making. I've been happy as hell so far with my DEFI guage which I bought about 3 years ago. But if it goes bad, I'm not going to expect them to replace it free.
I'm not trying to minimize the frustration....most of us have been there. But come on, it's almost like it would have been better had they not responded to his email at all.
08-01-07 | 07:12 AM
#22
He wasn't asking for Defi to replace it. He was asking for them to fix it. This mechanical boost gage went for well over $100 new 13 months ago- pretty pricey for a mech gage. I'd expect a company making that kind of margin would have more to offer a customer asking for a repair than " hey, our mechanical boost gages were so crappy we don't make 'em anymore. why don't you buy one of our newer, still unserviceable POS ricer blue gages." Yea, right.
And before the 'D' line of gauges were discontinued, they were only ~$100. IIRC, I got mine for that shipped. Since going out of production, the supply has dried up and the prices have spiked about 50%.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Shainiac
Single Turbo RX-7's
12
07-17-19 03:20 PM
Jeff20B
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
73
09-16-18 08:16 PM
