Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 24v gone at 14,000 miles

[dalton4]

I believe I read the thread Whiteknight referred to in the above post. The thread must have went 35+ pages and the guy was like a pit bull dog. That individual stated in his post ( my paraphrasing) that he was going to make the dealer pay by hurting their business. He stepped over the line line when he made it known that he was out to destroy the dealer and was in action doing so. He would have been ok had he stayed with just telling the facts and asking what others thought. Individual was later sued by the dealership which stirred the pot big time. The case was later dropped and a settlement was completed.



Whiteknight has handled the issue well in my opinion and has stated only the factual items of the case. He has made no reference to doing the dealer harm ... only wanting to get his parents truck repaired under warranty and asking for advice/help.



I did a search and the only dealer I saw listed for selling new Dodge trucks in DeSoto was Parker Banks. This is a multi dealership selling GM, DC, etc. .



Jerry

 

[wcaldwell]

How many remember the post about the Ford "Mechanic" who took the young lady's SVT Mustang for a "road test" at over 140 mph and then bragged about it on the web???



What's this dealer's name - let's start the same type of web-based response to them.

 

[E7mack96]

I saw that

my brother, beefcake, was involved in that post

 

[whiteknight]

Dad has an appointment with the zone rep this Friday afternoon. Apparently another dealership in a neighboring town called him for dad. He told dad however that he didn't know if there was anything he can do, but at least we can tell him how we feel.



I printed all the posts on this thread and the one about the engine fund so mom and dad could read them and is necessary show the rep just how many people know about this.



Thanks Everyone!

 

[John Berger]

&*%^@#

This is why I will not buy a new vehicle again. Keep us posted on their progress. It seems our warranties are worthless. Oh well, only 13. 8K left under warranty.

 

[whiteknight]

UPDATE:

Today dad and I went to the dealer in Perryville, MO to meet with the Chrysler Zone Rep. for the St. Louis Zone and he basically told us that he has to go by what this dealer up here told him and there wasn't anything he can do even after showing him the engineering report from Fleetguard.



I asked him if they did any diagnostic tests to confirm that there wasn't an engine problem before making the assumption that it was the filter by just opening the hood and looking at it. He tried to let on like they did but when I began to question him about whether they checked oil pressure, the oil pump or the oil pressure regulator valve, he couldn't deny that they hadn't checked any of those things.



He tried to tell us that the dealer (here in Desoto) didn't have any reason to lie about the filter because they stood to make money from replacing the engine, then he went on to say that if they did replace the engine and Chrysler could not find the problem with it then Chrysler would make them pay for it. I thought to myself, that sounded like a pretty good incentive to me not to want to warranty it.



I guess we will see what my father-in-law finds out when he talks with the guy he knows at the factory before going any further.



I noticed something today that I hadn't before that the work order dad got from the Desoto dealer stated that the engine "wont start". We were wondering if they tried to start it with no oil and thats why the batteries were both dead when we got it back. I'll keep you posted.

 

[PZicha]

Whiteknight I want to wish you and your father luck and a happy ending to this nightmare ... . Pete

 

[tragicwagon]

whiteknight, I don't know if this could be any help to you but several months ago while at the dealership where I bought my truck I was talking to the diesel mechanic and he took me in the shop and showed me a 2001 ctd with a blown engine,click on pics in my sig and go to cummins carnage to see the pictures he let me take. He said he checked the oil filter and made sure it was an approved filter, then checked the computer for an over rev code,no code,then he called dodge, dodge called cummins,cummins sent a new engine, and he installed the new engine under warranty. The dealer is in north east TN, the truck was from IN. If you would like the name and address of this dealer pm me.

 

[1tuffram]

Originally posted by whiteknight

UPDATE:

Today dad and I went to the dealer in Perryville, MO to meet with the Chrysler Zone Rep. for the St. Louis Zone and he basically told us that he has to go by what this dealer up here told him and there wasn't anything he can do even after showing him the engineering report from Fleetguard.





Kind of sounds like the same song and dance I was told years back by a zone rep I talked to at one of Dave Smith's Jamboree's. I was basically told DC listens to what the dealer tells them and the Zone Rep's input has little influence in matters. After our conversation I was left wondering what a zone reps purpose is, because I sure did not get the impression they where there to help the vehicle owner when having problems with a dealer. He basically said if I was having problems with warranty related issues, it was a matter to be resolved between the vehicle owner, the dealer and DC. So my question is what good is a zone rep?? I think they are kind of useless in situations like whiteknight's parents case. I'd consider getting the zone rep out of the picture, sonds like they are just going to be an added hurdle for you to jump over in attempting to deal with DC at the Corp level.



Like I said in my statement early on in this thread, be prepared for an up-hill battle the whole way. DC is being true to their form and playing their red-tape game hoping you will just get disgusted and fed-up with it and let them off the hook by going somewhere else and paying for the repairs yourself. I know you are probably pretty frustrated at this point, but just keep after them. When they realize you are not going to give in to thier game they will do the right thing and cover the engine. I think if this drags on any more you should consider contacting a lawyer and see what your options are. Then the next time you talk with DC if they are still jerking your chain, let them know you are exploring this route and will use it if forced. I'd say only mention this if you are really willing to go that route, cause DC just may play the odds you are bluffing. This is really a sad thing because the folks at the corp level in Michigan just take the dealer's word on the matter and will not look any furhter than the confines of thier office cubical to see if there really is any validity to what they are being told. Maybe you need to press for someone from the factory to come and visually inspect the truck and the oil filter (and review Fleetquard's report). Unfortuatley this may require attorney involvment to get the ball rolling. My parting words are be polite but assertive and firm of exactly what you want to resolve the matter.



PS: You have a local newspaper, radio or TV station there? Another angle may be to use these resources to put some pressure on the dealer to reconsider their diagnosis of the problem and the trumped-up story they are telling DC warranty dept. Just another thought since the zone rep is telling you DC is basically acting off what they are told by the dealer.

 

[GDouglas]

I don't know if one of your local TV stations has a segment during the local 6 o'clock news like one of ours does, but we have as a public service one called "Action Line". They work with people with situations like yours to get what is right for the customer. They expose a lot of bad/shady businesses in our area, and since no high dollar business likes to have any publicity at all this way, they usually take the lesser of two evils and side with the customer after all is said and done. Amazingly, about 99% of the outcomes are in favor of the customer.



My dad contacted "Action Line" a few years back about a problem he was getting screwed over on and the contractor he was having problems with was so scared of his company getting exposed that way, that they quickly took care of his problem to avoid the TV coverage.



Hopefully one of your local stations might have something like this to help you out. I bet if your stealer is faced with some publicity like this, they might sing a different tune.



Good luck!

 

[dseabaugh]

Makes you wish you still had some warranty left so you screw over DC some how and help even the score. Makes you want to get together about 60 Dodge owners from the area and have a protest rally in front of the dealership. Call the St. Louis Post distpatch to send a reporter down. (Their reproters are good and I am not going to tell how I Know) Hang a big sheet between the trucks saying this dealers screws truck customers. And DC's warranty sucks. Reminds me of when we went down to the Ristine Elevator and scooped (reposessed) Waynes Cryts' beans on to our trucks for a week after the elevator went bankrupt and the Judge said they could sell the crops the farmers were paying to store there to offset their debts. the Highlight was when the FBI took each of or pictures and when the grain warhouse laws were changed so bankrupt elevators could no-longer steal our crops.

Makes you wish for the days when they shot the horse thief or hung him from a tree on the courthouse steps. Also makes you wish for the days when they burned out the thieves to get them out of town.



I bet my wife would have no problem with my going to an anti Dealer protest. ? Picket. . I just asked her and she Only said I couldn't do it over Thanksgiving week or the last 2 weeks of December.

 

[Big_Daddy_T]

over 12,000 views. Maybe D/C needs to see who they are alienating. I am leary to buy any of the big threes products now. So what does that leave me? I love them japanese cars. I bought this truck for mileage. Japanese cars have good mileage. hhmmmm maybe Im in the wrong market.

 

[JIM S.]

This has nothing to do with warrenties... ... but if Toyota had a full size HD truck I would be one of the first to swap my 5. 9 CTD into it even though I love the look of the 2nd gen dodge.

Jim

 

[Ron Bissett]

save all paper work and

Have a small pocket recorder and use it state the time and persons that are talking . Take notes Let them see you taking notes use a clip board but don't let them read what you write . Keep the time and date and do get pictures to show. Ask for the name position , spelling first last middle . when the person was first contacted , who did He or she talk to what was said ask for copier of this meeting if it was one who what when wear, ask who authorized the meeting ask who is next up the corp . you can contact Ask again Name rank position spelling ( shakes them up) when you ask these simple questions over and over ,Its your right to talk to any one all the way to the top of the corp. Start a letter writing non stop at least twice a week to top first and they will kick it down the ladder to the local area and dealer . Keep at them don't let them get away with this . LOl Ron in Louisville ky

 

[whiteknight]

Thanks dsaebaugh

Right now I think dad is going to send the filter to a testing lab in Ohio and get an independent report from them. If that test comes back like the Fleetguard report did then the next step will be arbitration. We are just going to take it one step at a time. No rush. Enjoy the holidays.

 

[Texas Diesel]

Originally posted by Big_Daddy_T

over 12,000 views. Maybe D/C needs to see who they are alienating.

I dont think DC is that smart. Besides, it's not just US that are following this, I'm sure the "F" word boys and Dura-Whatever owners are getting some serious mileage out of DC's stupidity and lack of caring for their customers, I would be if the tables were turned.



DC never ceases to amaze me with stupidity.

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by whiteknight

UPDATE: Today we recived the lab report from Fleetguard which states that the filter is fine. The filter media, seam, shell, Center Tb (I'm not sure what that refers to), Gasket all tested fine. It states that it was impulse pressure tested from 0 to 125psi at . 5 hz for 10,000 cycles with no leaks or structural failure. It also states that the installation torque was 13 ft/lbs and removal torque was 25. 8 ft/lbs.



He took this information to the dealer here in Desoto, MO who it was towed to and they still said it was the filter that failed. So he called Chrysler customer service and the lady that he spoke with told him he would have to file for an arbitration request.

Whiteknight, did you file an arbitration request? Dealer said it was the filter (and the Regional DC rep says they ave to go by what the dealer says). Fleetguard says filter is fine and it was installed tight enough not to leak. I would think that arbitration would be a piece of cake? Why would you go to an independant lab now for testing? You have all of the facts you need to win this action. If arbitration does not work that is when you need a Lawyer.

 

[whiteknight]

Pit bull,

Well as it stands now it basically could be looked at as Fleetguard's word against DC. Both have a vested interest in saying its not their fault. We figured if we had an independent test to back-up Fleetguard's test that put us in a lot better position.



I found a company that offers forensic services for rubber failure analysis. It has a board certified forensic examiner with over 30 years experience in tire and rubber failure analysis. They will also testify as an expert witness if it becomes necessary.



I think dad will probably file for an arbitration hearing next week.

 

[Pit Bull]

Whiteknight you need to sue them for a couple of million more for the pain in the ass that they have been

 

[whiteknight]

I thought some might find this interesting.



A week or so ago my wife came home and told me that a co-worker who had bought a new Dodge car was told by the dealer that she needed to have the car serviced including oil changes by them or she would be risking her warranty. I told her I couldn't believe that they would tell her that.



My wife and I had ordered an Intrepid back before this all happened with my dads truck from a dealer in Farmington, MO and they have no knowledge about my dads truck. Well Wednesday we went down to pick-up the car. I really liked this salesman because he really tried to explain everything he could before we took delivery including the warranty. He told us the biggest reason they will void warranty is because of improper maintenance. I told him that I usually change my own oil and he said that was fine that he did too. He said to just be sure and use the maintenance coupon book and check off each item I did on the list and keep my receipts and to make sure to use a good quality oil. What he said next is what really surprised me. He said to make sure to use a Mopar/Dodge oil filter. He said the warranty book won't tell you this but if you bring the car in for an engine problem because of lack of lubrication and you have any other brand filter on it, they will kick it back on warranty. They will say that the filter was not allowing enough oil through to properly lubricate the engine.



So now there has been 3 different dealers that I know off that have said basically that unless they service your car/truck or you at least buy the filters and parts from them that basically you have voided your warranty. I'm begining to think that this is something that DC has told the dealers and the dealers are just trying to cover their back-sides. I don't think that it is legal but that seems to be what is going on around here.



So moral of the story, if you buy any parts or filters from anyone else other than Dodge (including Geno's Garage) you "are your own warranty station"