My ATR (Houston style) dp is being retarded. What should I do?

[ross87t]

Well, my ATR (Houston style) dp's flapper valve is sticking and won't swing freely when the rod is off. It also makes a dreadful rattling noise. I guess because it isn't closing all the way, so the puck is rattling against the exhaust housing of the turbo.

Here is the thing. I bought this dp off of a board member here, and it was just fine at the time. But, as time has past, this problem has begun.

Will ATR fix this for free? I mean, it is their product which failed, and I have noticed several other people with the same problem. Or, are they going to try and give me the run-around because I am the second owner of the pipe?

Ross

 

[REGALLIMITED]

i had a problem with my houston d/p in that the puck was actually too lose.it was wobbling around to the point that it would get caught on the edge of the hole in the exhaust housing, and not seal. i solved this problem by VERY carefully welding to the pin that secures the disk to the arm so that it still had some play, but wouldnt get quite so far sideways that it will not seat.

 

[Russ Merritt]

They fixed mine for free! Call em 864-972-3800

 

[Intercooler]

Can you post a picture of this pipe and problem area. I would love to see a close-up of it and try to determine what is going on. I read about it but mine has worked fine.

 

[pwrhws]

I have fixxed the atr two different ways.

Slotted a stainless washer, slipped it between the puck and the arm and tacked it in place. Tightens the ones up that are way sloppy.

I have also used the ol' bench vise and re-peened the back of the pin a touch tighter.

either is much easier than boxxing it up to ship it back.

 

[ross87t]

Originally posted by Intercooler
Can you post a picture of this pipe and problem area. I would love to see a close-up of it and try to determine what is going on. I read about it but mine has worked fine.

I'll take a picture of it when I take it off.

Ross

 

[Tom87GN]

How'd you get ATR to fix it for free? This same deal happened to a bud of mine last year and he had to take the DP off and have the puck removed and the area around it massaged and put back together. ATR wouldn't fess up to anything.

 

[REDS HOT AIR]

i have one in my garage of my buddy's car that we fixed about 6 times and it is just plain shot now the guide and puck need to be replaced

on this one it had noting to do with the puck itself but it kept seizing up in the guide.

we pulled it apart and polished the stem and guide and it would last a lil longer but would aventually stick again.

 

[Russ Merritt]

When it happened to me I called Jack C and asked him how to fix it. He told me to call them and they would fix it free. When I did call I told them Jack told me to call you, and they fixed it free. It might have been in a certain time frame of pipes being made. I got lucky (for once!) I guess.

 

[Tom87GN]

Mr. Cotton carries a lot of weight in this crowd. I understand why ATR fixed it now. If you just call them as a peon customer without many credentials, they tell you kiss off. I personally have not dealt with ATR much in the past and don't plan to either. All I know is 2 people in this town with ATR downpipes have had problems with the pucks hanging up. I've not had any problems with my Huston pipe in 3 years.

 

[Russ Merritt]

I've bought a lot of parts from ATR. Jack Cs shop is pretty close to me (1.5 hrs) and I call him on tech stuff. I'll say this, I've installed a few TH pipes and now that my ATR pipe is fixed, none of TH pipes I've installed LOOK as nice as my ATR. I polished it with sandpaper and water and it looks great and now it performs just as good as it looks. I'm not in anyway down playing TH pipes, as they perform awesome, I just think the ATR pipe is as good as performance wise, and better looking then TH pipes. Remember that's just my opinion, and you know what they say bout those.

 

[REDS HOT AIR]

the tubing atr uses is very nice and polishes up very easy.

only problems i've seen with atr is sticking pucks and the fact they wont tell you at the time of order if they are out of something..you have to call back after you start wondering why you havent got it yet to find out they are outta stock.

other than that they do have some nice products.

 

[gofstbuick]

I agree with Russ Merritt opinion. But a section of the instructions with my ATR pipe says not to use an adjustable wastegate rod to adjust boost (or you may encounter a sticking WG puck), instead use their Adjustable Boost Control Valve. Now many will say that makes ATR inferior, because they did not provide a solution and just fixed a symptom. But it's their product and personally, I would abide by their recommendations. Every time I've called ATR, they were professional and provided good customer service. Call them, and I'm sure they could probably provide a better explanation than me. Jus my 0.02.

 

[Phatman]

I've got an ATR pipe on my car, I did have a problem with the puck just as Red explained. I sent it back to ATR and they were only too happy to repair it. They replaced the whole sleve and puck assembly and also said NOT to use a heavy duty adjustable wastegate as it could cause problems.

I think the problems may be with proper alignment, make sure that the wastegate arm does not pull on the puck assembly from an odd angle. I could be wrong but I've had no problems after I spent the extra time to make sure it aligns properly.

 

[ross87t]

I can't believe this crap. So, the ATR pipe can't handle the tension of a stock adjustable WG? I don't have the heavy-duty WG.

Ross

 

[Tom87GN]

Yep, that's what they're saying Ross.

I don't believe for a second that Terry Huston would say "Don't use a heavy duty wastegate with my pipe because it would cause problems."

I'm sure somewhere along the way ATR admitted that they had a design flaw in their pipe and decided rather than fight every person who has a problem, they would just fix them. Nobody should have to spend all their own time and energy "fixing" the shortcomings of a part that cost that much to begin with.

 

[ross87t]

I have a feeling that I'm gonna be pretty much screwed on this one.

Ross

 

[Tom87GN]

Na, heck, don't worry. Now that you've heard that ATR is fixing them, just give em a call and send it to them. Or, you could have the local machine shop fix it up and not have to worry about shipping that pipe. Once my friends ATR pipe was fixed, he's not had any problems with it since.

You never did a thing wrong here, Russ. You were just being a responsible consumer and wanted the best bang for the buck.

Hope you get it fixed soon!

 

[FRCEFED6]

hey guys dont stress out. i bought a houston pipe about 3-4 years ago and i have the problem with the rattling and sticking of the puck also. so i wouldnt think that is only the ATR pipes. a friend of mine (allprov6)wad to ream out the hole that the puck rod goes through a few thousandths, he then rewelded the arm to the rod and BAM, its fixed. i have yet to try and fiw mine. well see though. later. jeremy

 

[ross87t]

I unbolted the pipe, and sprayed the puck rod down w/ WD40. It is working fine for now. I'm sure it will come back though.
Hell. I need a grease fitting on it, so I can shoot a tiny amount of grease in there every once in a while.

Ross