Align Mufflers Broken Welds

[AXE3D]

I finally finished off my first gallon in the 600 that several of you helped me get up and running. Just recently, I noticed that the muffler is starting to rattle, sounds like the internal baffle has unwelded itself. Based on recommendations from other users of this forum, I contacted customer service at www.alignrcusa.com (http://www.alignrcusa.com/) The polite gentlemen there wanted to work with me but apparently I purchased my Nitro Pro Combo kit from an other than Align USA vendor (online). At the time there wasn't really another choice from the LHS in my area.

Some FYI, Align USA is not Align, not even related or so they claim. They are simply a vendor for Align of Taiwan. I indicated that I would like to talk with someone from Align and my POC kindly expressed that they probably won't respond to any emails. I am off to our new and best Gyro Hobbies to pick up another muffler. Although I am happy with the way it flies, I can promise that this 600 will be my last Align product, call it principle.

On a good note, some incentive to go to Gyro and look at some British designed birds! Whatever brand of muffler I purchase, I will send my almost new broken muffler to as an example of their competitors quality along with a narrative explaining how it arrived at their door step. I opine that they already know what level of quality to expect, but the nature of junk being Fed Ex to them with a copy of my sales receipt showing that they have a new loyal customer may get a few grins.

Align, welcome to capitalism and a free market. Surely I will have to buy replacement parts, but my newer helis won't bear the same name. Even helidirect and Sonix went as far as to redesign parts and send me new ones when I emailed them with problems related to their products.

[CoronaL]

I hear Frank at Assurance RC might be able to help you. It seems to be a common problem that the align pipe can break welds.

[huskynox]

From what I know Assurance RC (AlignRCUSA) tried to be the sole importer for Align Products, but Horizon Hobby got their filthy little hands in too! That is where the problems start.

I'm always sure I buy from vendors that get their products from Assurance RC. I support Assurance RC, NOT Horizon! So, you can really thank Horizon Hobby for this, or whomever the part came from.

I would do the exact same thing as Assurance RC does, I wouldn't support products bought from Horizon, or any other importer....

If you have a receipt that shows you bought your Align product from a vendor of Assurance RC, they a more than willing to help you and have GREAT customer service! A lesson to be learned. I think many people have learned the hard way, which I admit sucks! I learned this early on, so I never got burned and have always got great support.... :)

[CoronaL]

good to know.
If he purchased at a LHS they should be able to handle and take care of the RMA. If my LHS stopped providing such a service I'd take ALL of my business elsewhere.

that said, a pipe shouldn't break like that anyway. Shoddy construction IMO. They've had time to rectify it.

[Moreflying]

Is this some sort of wide spread problem with the mufflers?

[Finless]

Early mufflers had this problem. The newer ones are suppose to be fixed. Mine is a later model and I havent had an issue with mine.

Bob

[CoronaL]

Early mufflers had this problem. The newer ones are suppose to be fixed. Mine is a later model and I havent had an issue with mine.

Bob
good to know. MIght give one a go!

Anyone know if Heliproz is an Assurance dealer. Guess I'll fire off an email to check. Want to make sure I get it from a real dealer in case I do have a problem.

Also, anyway to tell new vs old design?
thx

[dna001]

My Align internal baffle came loose about 3 weeks ago on the second can of fuel, but it was replaced free of charge from the place I got it from :-)
My friends internal baffle came loose which put a hole in the piston :-(

[Moreflying]

Early mufflers had this problem. The newer ones are suppose to be fixed. Mine is a later model and I havent had an issue with mine.

Bob
Okay. I'm pretty sure I have the late muffler with the pressure fitting on the exhaust manifold, rather than on the muffler can. I'll keep my ears open for any strange noise ( as we all do) and of course stop flying until it's sorted out...if needed.;)

[AXE3D]

Nevertheless, all these parts come from the same plant in Taiwan and are imported from the same vendor, Align. Is it acceptable anywhere else in the industry to build well below-par products and expect customers to build an allegiance behind your product? Enough said. If I can simply talk a few others out of purchasing Align mufflers than my objectives are complete; warn others about bad products and even worse customer service. Of course Align would allow two vendors in the US, that way either vendor can claim that they didn't distribute the part and therefore no one, not even Align, will be held liable for poor crafstmanship. Sorry guys, I'm a bit too experienced in marketing and business to hold much respect for a foreign company that doesn't have a POC in the country in which they do business; no a distributor is not a company representative.

In contrast, I recently contacted Curtiss Youngblood about one of their governors. A kind representative answered the phone, one technician and two engineers were availabe for any questions I had pertaining to their products. Unfortunately for Align, Curtiss Youngblood offers competitively priced products at a significantly higher quality and they stand behind their products in both support and quality. My advice and based upon forum comments such as this, one should seriously consider buying from a US company based in TX that will unquestionably stand behind their product. I am sorry, but one guy claiming not to have any problems with a muffler isn't enough justification for me to go buy another Align product; what if that one came from Horizon or Assurance, I mean Align, or Taiwan; same shop, people are smart enough to get the idea.

[AXE3D]

Okay. I'm pretty sure I have the late muffler with the pressure fitting on the exhaust manifold, rather than on the muffler can. I'll keep my ears open for any strange noise ( as we all do) and of course stop flying until it's sorted out...if needed.;)

For the information of all concerned, the muffler of discussion did indeed have the pressure fitting on the manifold; it is a newer design.

[archiebald]

Maybe I'm missing something here but rather than kicking up such a fuss, why don't you just contact the company that you actually paid your money to for the heli? As far as I can tell from your messages, you haven't even tried this yet.

If I have a problem with the product I bought, I start talking to the company that I paid my money to, not the factory that made it.

Besides, what you are describing is not an unusual situation when dealing with "grey" imports.

[AXE3D]

Archie, you've missed the point of the entire post. The product is junk, that was the key point. Others are having problems as well. How often are we hearing about MP5 mufflers falling apart after one or two gallons. FYI, I did contact the seller.

[dxtarl]

How can i tell which version i am buying ?