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My experience with Hidden Performance Ltd. (HP2 Ltd.)


ben_harmer32
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Read the entire first post. Did see other post of your car getting done. The ordeal you experienced was very bad mate. Hoping you're successful in the end of all of this.

This is a major reason why I won't sent my supra to people in my country to work on. I am afraid of this happening. Guess time will tell what I decide.

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Email received today from Hidden Performance.

 

They have taken the new cambelt back off the engine. After the extended road test and getting the oil up to temperature a small amount of oil was discovered coming from the intake side cam seal and leaking down the front of the engine.

 

This was making it appear to be the crank shaft seal leaking. New cam seals and rocker cover gaskets have been ordered to replace the sealant previously used. A new crank seal has also been ordered which will be change as they have the cambelt off for peace of mind. These are expected to arrive during the week.

 

70amp fuse mounted on the fly by wire will be replaced by the correct 80amp fuse.

 

The brake reservoir cap has been replaced.

 

The sump leak has been sorted and the correct amount of sealant has been used.

 

I will get another update once all parts have arrived and have been fitted later next week. Until the parts arrive the car will not be touched.

 

I will update the thread when I get more news.

 

Thank you for all the replies and the support. Hopefully soon this will all be resolved and I will have a car I can use and actually enjoy!

Edited by ben_harmer32 (see edit history)
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It is Friday evening and I have not heard from Hidden since last Saturday.

 

Parts were supposed to be delivered early to mid week.

 

I have no idea on the current condition of my car, if the parts were delivered or if any progress has been made.

 

I haven't chased as I don't want to slow progress as I really want and need the car, I also feel I shouldn't have to. I have previously requested on more than one occasional progress pictures of what is being done.

 

Am I wrong to expect them to update me regularly? :(

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Half an hour after posting the above i received a Facebook message from the mechanic working on my car stating:

 

The new seals and rocker cover gaskets arrived Wednesday and were fitted on Thursday.

 

Fluids were topped up and the coolant bled.

 

The car was taken for a long road test today with motorway and town driving and all appears to be OK.

 

The car will undergo more testing next week along with some more checks.

 

They apologised for the late reply stating they have been flat out all week.

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Update for today.

 

Message received on Facebook messenger stating quick update, another road test has been completed. The engine has been re-checked for any leaks and all seems to be ok. Also, no strange noises.

 

I replied thanking them for the update.

 

I asked them to confirm what issues identified by the independent inspection are now completed.

 

I also asked for compression test results so I can compare them to the original readings from when the engine was supplied. I notified them it will be getting another compression test done when it goes back to the other garage for a second independent inspection once completed.

 

I then asked if all their tests are now complete and if they have a return date so I can confirm with the other garage ASAP.

 

My response has been read by the mechanic working on my car and the owner of Hidden but I have not had any reply.

 

I will update again once I know more.

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Message received at 10pm last night on Facebook messenger:

 

A compression test will be carried out soon and they will let me know results.

 

They will revert with regards to the checklist set out by the independent inspection.

 

They have another 100 mile road test to do at the end of the week. If that goes to plan, then they can give me a date for return.

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Update received on Saturday afternoon, the mechanic who usually works on my car was out so Mike2JZ took it upon himself to perform the compression test I had requested.

 

The car was taken out for a quick drive to get it warmed up. It was given a 14v supply via a battery charger. EFI fuses were removed and the compression test performed.

 

All cylinders were reporting between 170-175psi with a 3% variation between cylinders. Spark plugs also looked like they are burning correctly. So, the engine is healthy.

 

He informed me that on Monday or Tuesday they have another 100 mile trip lined up for the final road test before checking for the final time for any leaks etc.

 

A report is being compiled with regards to checklist setout by the independent inspection. This will be sent over next week. If all goes well, then they should be in in a position to get the car back soon.

 

The compression test results are a huge weight of my mind.

 

The update I received from Mike2JZ was very comprehensive and contained pictures (attached below) which I very much appreciated. If all updates had been like this since all this started I can’t help but wonder if this whole experience could have been a whole lot different. He is a much needed asset to the company.

1.jpg

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6.jpg

7.jpg

Edited by ben_harmer32 (see edit history)
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Glad you got it sorted, although the time it has taken is a crazy and seems to be a test drive for every job carried out which would worry me they are not confident in what they are doing all the jobs should be sorted and one test drive at the end not 3-4 I hope you checked they have proper insurance to be driving your car around this much and not 3rd party only.

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Update received this afternoon.

 

After 300 miles of test drives no oil leaks can be seen underneath (video walkaround of the underside of the engine was sent with this).

 

It was also confirmed oil level is good now that cams aren't leaking (picture received).

 

They are just compiling notes regarding the checklist from the independent inspection and will have it sent through soon.

 

It was confirmed they are planning to drop car back to the garage that performed the inspection on Friday. They will be setting off early so the car should be back there around 10-11am.

 

I will update once I receive the notes later today.

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While this sounds like a nightmare of the absolute worst order, I think it might be fair to say that 75% of the issues identified on that list don't appear to have had anything to do with Hidden in the first place. I'm in no way making excuses for them but I'd gotten the impression that they'd caused all of these issues that they've now sorted for you in the first place.

 

It does sound like there's light at the end of the tunnel now, hopefully you'll have it back and 100% driveable :)

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While this sounds like a nightmare of the absolute worst order, I think it might be fair to say that 75% of the issues identified on that list don't appear to have had anything to do with Hidden in the first place. I'm in no way making excuses for them but I'd gotten the impression that they'd caused all of these issues that they've now sorted for you in the first place.

 

It does sound like there's light at the end of the tunnel now, hopefully you'll have it back and 100% driveable :)

 

but they built the car :/ so how are the issues not theres ! kinda makes no sense really does it.

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but they built the car :/ so how are the issues not theres ! kinda makes no sense really does it.

 

Nissan built the car. Hidden were asked to carry out some work on the car and whilst they appear to have cocked up on a lot of things, there's a lot on that inspection list that was wrong with the car prior to it arriving there or on the parts supplied. I count over half that list actually. Unless I'm reading things wrong?

 

That's all I'm trying to point out :)

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Quick update.

 

Car was dropped back on Friday 9th November by Hidden to the garage that performed the first independent inspection. They are a very well known and trusted Skyline specialist.

 

They managed to get the car in today for a quick check over and will be working on it again tomorrow for the full inspection.

 

Items identified today:

 

1. Oil is overfilled. Hard to tell exactly how much, roughly 0.5 - 0.7 litres

 

2. Coolant level in radiator low and almost nothing in overflow bottle.

 

3. Slight sound when warm from cylinder head/camshaft area but they don't feel it is anything to worry about at all. It is not easy to hear, have to catch the throttle just right.

 

4. Car no longer has an exhaust blow.

 

I have to say even this quick check has left me feeling slightly disheartened and a little worried. I hope and pray nothing else is identified on the full inspection tomorrow.

 

I will update when I get the results.

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1. Bonnet stay not secured, missing clip or rubber bush

 

HP Response: We believe this was missing from car when delivered to us. Can not find it in garage

 

Independent Inspection: no changes listed by HP

 

2. Battery tray missing, battery too big and not secured in

 

HP Response: Big battery was not fitted by us. Battery tray was missing from car when delivered to us.

 

Independent Inspection: no changes listed by HP

 

3. AFM plug tab broken

 

HP Response: 20-year-old plug, recommend replacement found to solve

 

Independent Inspection: no changes listed by HP

 

4. Plug broken off from A/C sensor

 

HP Response: 20-year-old plug tab, recommend replacement found to solve

 

Independent Inspection: no changes listed by HP

 

5. Brake fluid cap broken not sealing on tank

 

HP Response: Replacement fluid cap was in stock, so replaced with good unit.

 

Independent Inspection: no changes listed by HP

 

6. Fan blades trimmed to allow them to miss intake pipework

 

HP Response: Fan blades were already cut from previous owner. eBay intercooler pipework was already on car when it was delivered from Spain

 

Independent Inspection: no changes listed by HP

 

7. Lots of red sealant used on cam covers Cam cover

HP Response: Gaskets replacements were not sourced originally, so sealant used to help old gaskets to seal. Now new gaskets were sourced and installed. No excess sealant found in head, and excess sealant found on outside of covers were cleaned.

 

Independent Inspection: All looks to be good now.

 

8. Engine oil level low approx 1/3 below max.

 

HP Response: Engine does not seem to be burning any abnormal amounts of oil, however cam seals had a decent size leak. Oil was topped up and since sorting out cam seals and 300 mile drive, the oil level seems to be stable now.

 

Independent Inspection: Too much oil in the engine now.

 

9. A 70amp fuse has been used to replace an 80amp fuse and has been mounted up on fly lead.

 

HP Response: This “modification” performed by previous owner/garage. Correct fuse has been sourced and installed.

 

Independent Inspection: Is now correct.

 

10. Upper intake pipe has a very sharp badly trimmed mounting bracket

 

HP Response: Like 6., this mounting bracket was installed/fabricated previously not by us

 

Independent Inspection: no changes.

 

11. The modified RB26 (Stagea) sump that has been fitted has a massive amount of silicone sealer used, and looks to be leaking towards rear of engine.

 

HP Response: Engine was secured using top mounting support bar. Front subframe dropped, sump removed. No excess sealant found in oil pickup etc. Sump was resealed using High Temp Copper Loctite 5990, using 3mm application tip. Road testing shows no leaks towards front or rear of sump.

 

Independent Inspection: All looks to be good.

 

12. Tie bar bushes are shot

 

HP Response: Bushes are same as when car first delivered to us. Probably original 20-year-old bushes. Recommend replacements found

 

Independent Inspection: no changes.

 

13. Bolts missing from transmission oil pump (sump?)

 

HP Response: We believe this is a typo. pump instead of sump. Pump is internal to gearbox and has not been touched. However, we did find 3 missing bolts for transmission sump, which now have bolts installed.

 

Independent Inspection: All looks ok now.

 

14. Electric cooling fan is cracked

 

HP Response: Cooling performance does not seem affected.

 

Independent Inspection: no changes.

 

15. Intake elbow next to intercooler is rubbing on front bumper

 

HP Response: Intake pipework couplers in this area were loosened to see if we can get anymore clearance by getting the pipework to sit tighter together, but no success with this. Bodyshop has cut an insert into the bumper to allow pipework to have some room. Given the car was just painted we didn’t want to cut into the bumper to allow for more room. It’s close but does not seem to be causing any issues.

 

Independent Inspection: no changes.

 

16. Slight oil leak from front main seal

 

HP Response: Front crank seal was not leaking. However, camshaft seals above were leaking and leaking down onto the front area/sump. Just to be safe, front crank and both camshaft seals were changed. 300 miles later and seems to be dry now.

 

Independent Inspection: Oil leak is fixed but lower radiator mounts now missing.

 

17. Various bolts missing from front panel area, lock support.

 

HP Response: Hard to confirm which bolts they meant with this without further detail. Have gone round engine bay area putting in any bolts that seem to be missing, but not many added.

 

Independent Inspection: Lower bonnet lock bracket bolt still loose, trans cooler bracket bolt missing/broken

 

18. Front drop links have play in them.

 

HP Response: See 12.

 

Independent Inspection: no changes.

 

19. Rear hicas steering arms both have play

 

HP Response: See 12.

 

Independent Inspection: no changes.

 

20. Downpipe to turbo gasket exhaust leak & Downpipe to decat pipe exhaust leak

 

HP Response: New downpipe and gaskets installed to solve this. We also tried to fit the new exhaust you had in the back, but pipework is incorrect, and fitting could not be completed.

 

Independent Inspection: All looks to be good now.

 

21. Timing belt sounds tight

 

HP Response: Timing belt was indeed too tight. New cambelt, cambelt tensioner and idler pulley were installed, this time making sure cambelt was not too tight. Whining noise & knocking noise has since disappeared.

 

Independent Inspection: All seems good.

 

22. Camshaft intake side sounds noisy but possibly due to the tight timing belt, belt will get tighter the hotter the engine gets

 

HP Response: With new cambelt in, we have not noted any weird noises from intake side. To be sure whilst rockergaskets were being changed we checked valve clearances, which were in spec.

 

Independent Inspection: All seems good.

 

23. Front tyres barely legal

 

HP Response: Tyres are what was supplied with your new wheels. Upon your last collection of car, we verbally recommended that you get some decent rubber on it, especially with winter coming.

 

Independent Inspection: no changes.

 

HP Response: Additional Notes

• EVAP system had been modified & removed previously, hence why we were not able to reconnect it

• Replacement radiator fitted, coolant bled. No issues with overheating. Cabin getting hot air with heaters.

• Factory boost gauge on dash is sometimes intermittent. Seems common issue solved by addressing dry solder on board.

• Suspension ride is decent, but a bit bouncy with it being so high. Recommend that you get suspension lowered and adjusted as advised on previous visit.,

• Noted that it takes about 5-10 minutes of soft off boost driving to get oil temperature above 70 degrees in the cold weather. Recommend you don’t start boosting the car hard until you can see the oil temp gauge above 75 degrees and water temp gauge sitting in middle. Do not exceed 120 degrees oil temp with current oil in the engine.

 

Independent Inspection: Additional Notes section.

• EVAP system has been removed but part on the system was still plugged in and also had a hose broken off, could have been over looked by us the 1st time round. It’s now been removed and sealed up and unplugged as leaving it open causes excess air to be drawn into the vac system

• See 16 regarding the radiator.

• Number plate bulbs not working

• 3rd break light not working

• Factory boost gauge not working

• chip on the N.S lower bumper was not present before after confirming with owner

 

 

Car drove home from garage last night with no issues or noises. However, I find myself listening for everything out of the ordinary which kind of ruins the experience for me. I’m hoping over the next few weeks I will start to trust it more and enjoy. I am still in two minds about keeping it or not.

 

Time will tell!

Edited by ben_harmer32 (see edit history)
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