One less Diesel Beast on the road Thank Lovecraft

Dear Brian,
I am frustrated to say the least. I am sure you remember me: I called you back in November to let you know that my 300SD converted by Lovecraft stalled out on the freeway while going 70mph and was rear-ended and totaled. This occurred exactly 3 days after I brought the car, which had previously been running fine, into your shop for a filter change.

Despite the obvious blame, I actually just called out of safety concern for your other customers who I thought might also run into this problem. You actually got defensive and argumentative with me and said the fuel tank strainer was probably to blame (which it wasn’t because prior to the filter change the car ran beautifully). After I got my life back in order and could focus more on this matter, I dropped off the below letter (as well as accident report, photos, and receipts for the conversion and recent filter change) at Lovecraft back in January, requesting a refund. You were not in the office at the time but I was told you would get back to me as soon as you had a chance to read it. After several attempt to reach you, Jason finally referred me to Tacee Webb in Portland Oregon, who was handling Lovecraft’s “finances”. Tacee initially responded that she was doing everything in her power to get me a refund but was “overwhelmed with all of the debts she didn’t realize Lovecraft had”. As you might expect, I haven’t heard from her in two months despite several follow-up emails on my part.

I find it very distressing that there are SEVERAL posts on your forum from customers having the same issue as I had accelerating onto the freeway, and you treat them with the same lace of concern for safety as you did to me. I’m not being given the whole story here, and neither are your other customers. I’m guessing I’m not getting my refund, and so I hope I can at least do what should be your job to alert your customers of the *reality* of a safety concern. I would be happy to receive a response either personally or publicly on this forum, but given your track record I do not expect one.

Thank you.
Eric

Original letter 1/25/07:
Dear Brian:

You may recall our phone conversation around 11/16/06 when I advised you that my 1983 300SD that had been converted by Lovecraft on 8/13/06 stalled out on the freeway (going uphill) and was rear-ended at 65 mph by a pickup truck. This accident occurred exactly 3 days following a filter change by one of your mechanics. The car was running fine, and was driven on the freeway, prior to the filter change. After the filter change, the oil level in the glass dome remained at a 75% lower level than before. Its first trip on the freeway following the filter change resulted in a catastrophic stall out. I have attached all receipts and an accident report.

You told me that if I were to pull the system from the junked vehicle that you would install it again at no charge on another vehicle. I said I would get back to you as I still bewildered from the accident and unsure how I wanted to proceed.

After giving this much thought and consideration, I have decided to request a full refund in the amount of $789.13. Because I genuinely believe in your cause, and think you have come up with a great idea, I am conflicted in not getting another Lovecraft. However, given the gravity of this situation, I just know that I would not be comfortable driving with the system installed in my car. I hope you can understand this.

I know that you must care deeply about the safety of your product. In giving me a refund, you would show me that you are taking my concerns as seriously as the must be taken. I trust that you will re-examine your current system to ensure that these stall-outs do not continue to occur. We were all very lucky.

What a shame, just another reason we need to put a stop to these a-holes.

__________________
-justin

1987 300TD, 1987 300TD
2008 R32, 2000 Passat Wagon

Try seeking legal counsel if Lovecraft supplied you with any express or implied warranties whether they were written or verbal. Both apply. You may also have actions under CA consumer protection laws (which many times award your attorney's fees should you win).

Nothing like a lawsuit to get their attention or even better, bankrupt them.

__________________
1982 300TD 210K miles ("The Replacement" aka "The Anvil") - SOLD
1979 300SD 245K miles (never ending project)
2007 Pinarello F3:13
1995 Ducati 916 (SOLD, sniff)
1999 Ducati 900SSie (SOLD)

I have had the same sudden loss of power on the freeway with my Lovecraft system. Koko had just cleaned the strainer the last time it happened, so that rules that out. I also posted on the lovecraft forum and didnt get any helpful response. It is quite awful when it happens. For me it was normally just after getting on the freeway, pull into the far left lane got up to 80-85 and pow no power.Sometimes it would sputter and regain power, Engine died a few times. As I swerve through 3 lanes of L.A. traffic I learned that putting it in neutral and in glow plugs on and I could start again in a few seconds.
My take on it was that the Lovecraft filter housing causes a fuel starvation situation. I think that the whole fuel supply relies on the aux. pump filling up the filter housing. When the system is not up to temp it has trouble getting the housing full. Jump on the freeway and punch it, and theres no fuel. I would often notice very low fuel levels in the filter housing. When I asked brian about this he said " the fuel level changes..." no help at all!
I recently added injection line heaters, so I now often leave the key in glow plug position longer(20-40 seconds), to heat them up, before starting. this seams to help keep the filter housing more full of fuel (the pump turns on with the glow plugs)
I cant say for sure that this fixed the problem, because it is a very infrequent thing. it is a major flaw in the Lovecraft system, and Brian acts like it just comes with the territory.
The link is to my request for help on this subject on the lovecraft forum
http://www.lovecraftbiofuels.com/index.php?option=com_joomlaboard&Itemid=40&func=view&id=889&catid=9

__________________
1984 300D Water-Alcohol Injection System, Pyrometer & Boost Gauge running B100 (soon to be homebrewed!!!)

Time for a sticky

I think I'll open a shop of my own....Converting "LoverCraft" cars, BACK to diesel. I'll do good, and the customers will be happy. This guy, and his oil/fuel conversion system, are a joke. He's a friggin' con artist. He only did half of the research he should have, and aparently, ALL of his experimentation, on paying customer's cars. His system, will be a thing of the past, very soon, along with his reputation. He's a hack with nothing, but himself on his mind. I wouldn't ruin one of my diesel cars with any of these oil/fuel systems, but his woldn't even be cosidered, if I did want to do it. Seems he knows very little about how the system should be engineered, and function. A lot of you guys are a great deal more knowledgeable about how these systems should operate, be built, and installed, than he does. I give you all credit for wanting to tear this guy a new one. He won't victimize me, or my friends if I can help it. Thanks of course to the info, and knowledge you all have contributed. I hope he's a thing of the past very soon, and a much better engineered system takes the lead on the market.

I concur....

I caught that post just a few minutes after it was posted and thought it deserved to be heard.....since Brian usually makes those kinds of posts dissapear I thought I would put it out there myself.

( and I think its gone )

Dude, I would go to a lawyer IMMEDIATELY!!!! I'm sure you have a case!

correct me if I'm wrong... but the person this happened to didn't post this on Mercedesshop.com . this was seen on the Lovecraft forum.???

__________________
1984 300D Water-Alcohol Injection System, Pyrometer & Boost Gauge running B100 (soon to be homebrewed!!!)

Yeah, I know, but I'm hoping he visits here too! Lovecraft didn't do all their homework and I don't know how many times I've seen stuff destroyed because a product was rushed into production to early!

G'mornin' Folks,
Is the Brian that is mentioned in these letters and postings the same Brian that I call Mr. Carlton (the moderator here)??

SB

__________________

Diesels:
'85 300D, "Max, Blue Benz", 155K, 27.0 MPG
'84 190D 2.2, "Eva, Brown Benz", 142K, 40.2 MPG
'77 240D (parts car)
'67 Eicher ES 202 Tractor "Otto" (2cyl, Air Cooled, 30HP)
Gassers:
'94 Ford F-150, "Henry", 170K (300 Six) 17.5 MPG
'85 190E 2.3, 148K....Parts Car
'58 Dodge W300M Powerwagon (Flat Fenders) Less than 10 MPG

no Shorebilly, the brian in these letters is the owner of lovecraft.

Brian, the moderator here, i am sure woud not be caught dead with one of these conversions.

__________________
-Trevor

OBK #12
1980 300SD 333,XXX miles - Totaled
1986 Mazda RX-7 212,XXX miles - impounded and auctioned off
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited 33,000- SEGR, Provent, Fumoto

In my opinion anyone stupid enough to buy a system from anyone who's sole intent is to seperate you from your money gets what they deserve.

Sticky?? This thread needs to be deleted.

Stay out of the left lane!

__________________
1984 300SD Turbo Diesel 150,000 miles

OBK member #23

(\__/)
(='.'=) This is Bunny. Copy and paste bunny into your
(")_(") signature to help him gain world domination

yeah, anybody mentioning a first name here should not be speaking about Mr, Carlton, afik, the only way to speak about Brian Carlton, is as his screen name shows, Brian Carlton.
Senior Carlton may do. that is up to him...
now this brian dude... and dude is the only way I would speak about him. I mean he charges 800.00 to install a filter... calls it a conversion, and won't even wear a set of coveralls? or have a uniform company deliver work cloths to his "garage" ??
dude is all he gets.
John

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!