Looking at installing a rebuilt Monsoon

[JMMUSTANG]

Any thoughts/suggestions about installing a rebuilt Monsoon?

 

[Mitch]

Installing Rebuilt Machine

Mustang, in my opinion, the only way a used machine will work is if the public cannot tell that the machine is used. It must appear and perform as new. Otherwise, your potential customers will think you are cheap. This might not apply in all situations, such as replacing an older machine, but it is very true for new car washes. I have seen a few factory refurbishes that have passed the test, and a good distributor can do it too, but it would probabily be too expensive for an individual to replace skins and major machanical parts. Also, all of the prox switches and photo cells (or whatever the Monsoon uses), hoses and wires must be new in order for the unit to be reliable.

 

[JMMUSTANG]

I'm replacing a 14 yr. old D & S system with no dryer, triple foam or tire cleaner. The volume has really dropped off the last couple of years so I think it's time to replace it.
Plus this one will have an updated Hamilton with credit card acceptance (which I don't have on my iba now).
One problem I have is that the Oasis distributor will only give me a 90 day warranty. I've never bought a rebuilt system so I'm not sure what to expect as for as problems.

 

[rph9168]

How many washes does it have on it?

 

[JMMUSTANG]

I have a meeting on Monday. I'll ask them.

 

[Mitch]

Sounds like a refurbished machine would work in your case. I would look elsewhere though because your distributor is not very confident in his machine. You need at LEAST 6 months parts and labor and one year parts. If he doesn't think any more of his machine than 90 days, how good can it be? Remember, NEW hoses, switches, swivels, and wires. With all of that, he could give you the warranty, without them, no deal. Good luck, Mitch

 

[MEP001]

A lot of new machines have a 1-year warranty on parts, with the distributor having at least some warranty on service. I suppose it depends on how "refurbished" it is - if everything that can potentially go bad has been replaced it would be worth more than one that's only been inspected and repaired as needed.

I knew some guys who would purchase used machines dirt cheap, turn around and install them and just get them working, after that there was no warranty at all. I wouldn't touch them with a 10-foot wand.

 

[rph9168]

I think the warranty issue depends on how much you are paying for the machine. If the machine is in good condition and you are getting a good price I wouldn't be too concerned about the warranty. Even with a used machine, the warranty period seldom comes into play. I would rather get a good deal on a machine that is in good condition than pay more than I should just to get a warranty that probably will expire before I have any problems anyway.

 

[RykoPro]

Normally when we are installing a used wash the customer purchased it elsewhere or they are moving machines around. Sometimes their buget alows for an inbay rebuild. With the Ryko's there is normally no need to replace most of the parts in fact it is more cost effective to keep all of the working parts and only replace what is worn. This has been cost effective for every customer we have installed a used systems for. Since we are not "refurbishing" washes, I limit the warranty to the new parts we have installed and our work.

 

[JMMUSTANG]

This is what they are offerring:

Used Oasis Monsoon with triple foam, tire cleaner, undercarriage they say is refurbished
Superior Blowers
Hamilton changer with washgear credit card system
Installation
90 day warranty

Price is $43,000

 

[I.B. Washincars]

That sounds like a good deal to me. A 90 day warranty is enough time to work out the bugs and determine if they have missed something major. I have bought 4 used Mark VIIs from my distributor, 3 are still in service as I type. I have no regrets. If the machine looks nice I would go for it.

 

[JMMUSTANG]

Thanks Pat that's what I'm looking for, the experiance of buying a rebuilt iba.
Is anyone using the Monsoon?
How's it wash, chemical cost (1 or 2 step), maintenance issues, etc.?
The good, bad and ugly.
Thanks

 

[JMMUSTANG]

How many washes does it have on it?

The Monsoon is 2-3 yrs. old and has between 15-20,000 washes on it.
Does anyone have a Monsoon running?

 

[I.B. Washincars]

I don't have one, but there is one near me here in central Ky.

 

[rph9168]

The Monsoon is 2-3 yrs. old and has between 15-20,000 washes on it.
Does anyone have a Monsoon running?

That is a good price for equipment with that those few washes. Those machines are pretty good workhorses. Is the Distributor reliable?

 

[JMMUSTANG]

I've never bought or had him service anything so I'm not sure.
I've been dealing with him somewhat on another project (converting over a f.s. tunnel) and he has been very conservative on volume numbers and equipment. He has told me to keep the equipment (it's in good shape) that is already there and only add 2-3 pieces.
Someone else told me to rip everything out and buy $200,000 in equipment.
I did have a meeting with him and stressed my concern about the warranty and he said he would give me a warranty as if it was a new Monsoon instead of just 90 day warranty.

 

[rph9168]

I've never bought or had him service anything so I'm not sure.
I've been dealing with him somewhat on another project (converting over a f.s. tunnel) and he has been very conservative on volume numbers and equipment. He has told me to keep the equipment (it's in good shape) that is already there and only add 2-3 pieces.
Someone else told me to rip everything out and buy $200,000 in equipment.
I did have a meeting with him and stressed my concern about the warranty and he said he would give me a warranty as if it was a new Monsoon instead of just 90 day warranty.

With that waranty I think it is a good deal. That machine should perform as well as a new one.

I would ask him if it has an extra arch to apply a super sealant as well as protectant. I would also make sure it applies those products under low pressure. Most of the Monsoons apply protectants under high pressure which uses a lot of water and more product than necessary.

 

[Mitch]

One day you will be glad you got the extra warranty. I don't know beans about the machine, but this sounds like a good deal.

 

[JMMUSTANG]

rph9168 thanks for the suggestions. I'll ask them about that.
What would I use the extra arch for?
They did mention that the machine used high presure when putting the chemicals on. Can this be adjusted to low pressure with the Monsoon?
They said that it didn't add that much to the chemical cost.
But with water and sewer bills rising using high pressure would run the cost up.

 

[rph9168]

The extra arch is used to apply a super sealant like RainX or DuraShield separately from your protectant. In some cases there is not sufficient room to add in into the computer program. With that change you can add only the supersealant to your best package. Otherwise you will need to choose whether you want to use the super sealant or the protectant but cannot do both. Some operators with older machines that want to add a supersealant end up using only the supersealant on all packages only marketing it in the top package which gets expensive.

You can have a low pressure application for the protectant but some modifications have to be made in the equipment. It is definitely worth the change as far as chemical and water usage.