Strikemaster vs Eskimo Customer Service

Just thought I would share my experience so far with strikemaster customer service. For some contrast, I had an issue in the past with an Eskimo auger (stingray 33cc) and they sent me a brand new powerhead immediately with one phone call – The auger was well out of the warranty period.

10/27/2019
I have a Lazer Mag that I bought last winter on Craigslist. It was a couple years old but had not been used. The auger was brand new and it looked like the power head was unused. I ran it last winter and it worked great. I have only ran one tank of gas through this auger. I just started it yesterday except it died every time I took off choke and gave it some throttle. I decided to test the compression and I got 75 psi. I put a few drops of oil in the cylinder and got it to read 95 psi. Then I ran it and it stalls whenever I take the choke off and give it throttle. I checked compression again after that I got 75 psi again. I got this auger because I had the same problem with an Eskimo. They gave me a brand new power head and I sold it on CL. I thought this would have a higher quality engine….really disappointed. It is not under warranty but the fact remains, after one tank of gas it has low compression and won’t run. What now? Ready to switch to electric!
10/28/2019
Russell,
Would you please attach a pic of the engine or the model, series and ser # as the “Lazer Mag” name was used for many years, on many generations of engines and even different engine brands. I would like to know which version we are discussing before we proceed with our thoughts.
For some generations 75 psi is normal and it will just need carb work, other generations must have closer to 120 psi to run correctly.
StrikeMaster Customer Service
10/29/2019
Picture is attached.
Thanks,
Russell
10/30/2019
Russell,
Thanks for the pic, that is Solo 142 engine from 2013.
Unfortunately these do require at least 100 cylinder psi to run correctly. Normally 120 is found. When you do compression test be sure you do three pulls and makes sure the decompression valve is out (sealed combustion chamber) otherwise you won’t get an accurate reading.
We have never seen a Solo 142 lose compression from simply use, unless it was ran without oil, or carb had been adjusted too lean. Both which will cause cylinder, ring and piston damage. This could be a reason for low compression. There are a few anomalies that are possible to cause a low compression reading also, like a sheared fly wheel key or crank seal leaking, but highly unlikely.
If you want to ship that engine into one of our master service centers or to us, you can, and we can take a look.
Again, we don’t ever see this, so no guarantees on what we can do, will find or if it will be repairable or replaced. We cannot promise any warranty until we are able to inspect this engine.
Technically, it is far past any warranty, but Solo is phenomenal when it comes to covering any manufacture defects found, even if past 2 year warranty.
11/01/2019
Can I drop it off or is shipping required? I live in Twin Cities Metro area. Do I need any documentation or anything else besides my name and contact info? If I drop off should I leave gas in the tank and auger attached?
11/04/2019
Russell,
Since our focus at our Rapala, Minnetonka Facility is warranty and current model repairs, I would suggest unit be taken to H20 or D-Rock, they have complete powerheads that they can sell you if internal damage is found with your current engine as well as they will have the parts to possibly fix yours.
We would not have the parts on hand (because the Solo is not a currently built model) and we wouldn’t have a replacement engine on hand if this is needed.
So to make it a one stop shop for you I would suggest H20 or D-rock.
They both are StrikeMaster authorized master service center.
Unit can be dropped off at either location, fuel in tank can be left and auger can be left attached.
Only info needed when dropped off would be your name number and problem.
StrikeMaster Customer Service
11/05/2019
I went to D-Rock today and spoke with the mechanic there. I explained that my auger has low compression. He pulled on the recoil and thought it had plenty. I asked him if he had a compression tester. He said no. He insisted that he didn’t need a compression tester and that it needed a carb kit. I figured I would give him the benefit of doubt so I purchased a carb kit and the fuel line kit he recommended. I installed and it does the same thing. It starts on choke and as soon as you open the throttle and take it off full choke, it revs for about a second and then cuts out. I tested compression again and am getting 70 psi. I tested several other small engines with my compression tester and am confident it is working. Please send me a new powerhead.
Russell
11/05/2019
Russell,
After a carb kit is installed the carb jetting has to be reset and adjusted accordingly, this could be the issue. If it has not been adjusted it could definitely run like that still. Essentially if it doesn’t have internal damage causing a compression issue, it is too lean. (carb issue or vacumn leak)
We would suggest taking it back to d-Rock and have them do the tune-up or take it to H20 and have Bill work on it. Have him pull the jug to check piston, rings, and cylinder bore any damage. That will be the way to tell with 100 percent confidences whether it is a compression issue or not.
StrikeMaster Customer Service

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So, what do you want from us? Sympathy? Something doesn’t add up here. You had the same problem with two different brand augers? In my 30 years of using gas powered ice augers I’ve never seen that problem. And I own that solo auger.

It sounds like the Rapala rep was addressing your problem above and beyond what is expected.

If your experience with the D-rock mechanic was truthful, I would be taking it elsewhere. Your problem is with the service center, not Rapala.

You probably should’ve done a compression test when you bought a 6 year old auger.

My point is in the title of the post.

Russell Rogers wrote:

My point is in the title of the post.

So, sympathy then?

I’m confused, too. You want them to replace an out-of-warranty powerhead that you admittedly bought used? I mean, it would be great of them to do that, but I certainly wouldn’t expect or even hope for that.

Ralph Wiggum wrote:

I’m confused, too. You want them to replace an out-of-warranty powerhead that you admittedly bought used? I mean, it would be great of them to do that, but I certainly wouldn’t expect or even hope for that.

But that’s what Eskimo did!

Maybe this issue is why the guy was selling the auger on craigslist in the first place? Sounds like strike master has at the very least been contacting you back in a timely manner, and trying to work with you to find a resolution on an out of warranty item. I think expecting them to provide you a new power head is a long shot.

I purchased a jiffy pro4 lite propane auger a few years ago & had nothing but problems with it. Was offered warranty service though a certified repair shop twice which never seemed to fix the issue. I cut my losses and bought an electric auger it just wasn’t worth the frustration. On a side note i still have a slightly used jiffy pro4 lite auger if anyone is interested!

Russell Rogers wrote:

I got this auger because I had the same problem with an Eskimo. They gave me a brand new power head and I sold it on CL. I thought this would have a higher quality engine….really disappointed.

This reason right here is probably why they wont send you a new one. Seems like you like want a new powerhead just so you can sell it again.

A couple of things.

It seems to me that Strikemaster went WELL above and beyond in their response regarding a used auger.

It could be just bad luck, but the fact that you have had the same problem with two different augers makes me wonder about use or storage methods…

Probably best to have the service center work on it to sort it out.

You bought a used auger…

If you cant get it running right then take it to someone who can.
You took it to d-rock and asked what parts to buy to try to fix it…
Your beef with SM is unjustified.

You registered a few hours ago to come on here and make this complaint?

When you buy used crap sometimes you get used crap.

Got any fishing reports you want to post?

Matt Moen wrote:

You registered a few hours ago to come on here and make this complaint?

When you buy used crap sometimes you get used crap.

Got any fishing reports you want to post?

I agree.

I also agree that the Strikemaster customer service response was above average for customer service these days.

Most companies would reply:

“We no longer sell or service that unit…..have a nice day.”

It sounds like you just put in the carb kit and didn’t clean out the obstruction that isn’t allowing enough fuel to flow while the choke is off. You need to pull the jets out and clean them to make sure they are clear. Maybe check the compression with another tester. If the compression is really that low I doubt it would start. The other way to test is when we do get some ice if it will cut ice while choked the compression isn’t the issue.

I have my own reasons for not liking Strikemaster but per your post, I feel they went above and beyond. That was great customer service IMO.

I’d probably actually consider them again.

blank wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Ralph Wiggum wrote:</div>
I’m confused, too. You want them to replace an out-of-warranty powerhead that you admittedly bought used? I mean, it would be great of them to do that, but I certainly wouldn’t expect or even hope for that.

But that’s what Eskimo did!

YES !!

Russell Rogers wrote:

I had an issue in the past with an Eskimo auger (stingray 33cc) and they sent me a brand new powerhead immediately with one phone call – The auger was well out of the warranty period.

I’m calling Eskimo now and getting a new powerhead. Probably get them to throw in a new flighting and with new blades attached too.

I have not been Strikemasters biggest fan for a while. But it seems to me that they are doing more then they need too. They gave you options to go see about your problem. You took it to a service center and instead of having them do the work, you chose to do it yourself. It didn’t work and now you want what? Take it to H2O and let them work on it. Otherwise I don’t know what you expect them to do. It almost sounds to me like you are buying augers with issues in hopes of getting a new power head just to resell them.

It is honestly amazing that Eskimo actually sent you a new powerhead without having you go to a service center first. I agree with most of the responses. To expect a new powerhead from Strikemaster on your used Craigslist auger is unreasonable. As far a D-Rock, I have had nothing but excellent things to say about them. You asked an opinion and they gave it to you. They didn’t get paid for a detailed analysis, unless of course you threw a $100 at them and said tell me what’s wrong. Maybe if you would have dropped it off and said tune it up and it still didn’t run, but instead you bought parts based on an opinion, if you are convinced that it’s compression why didn’t you buy new rings and install them correctly instead of trusting anyone other than yourself. Actually the Strikemaster rep went out of their way to state that the Solo is excellent at taking care of problems, seems reasonable to me. It has seemed as though you have drawn and unreasonable line in the sand……New powerhead for my used recently bought Auger on Craiglist or I am going to tell the world that you are a bad company. Put yourself in their shoes. Why don’t you go back to the craigslist guy and tell him to replace it, he’s the one who sold it to you, not Strikemaster.

David Anderson wrote:

Why don’t you go back to the craigslist guy and tell him to replace it, he’s the one who sold it to you, not Strikemaster.

Screw that, I don’t want it back..!