cummins cert tech at dealerships?

[robobx]

if your truck needs to go in for some TSBs or whatever warrenty work and it's engine related, do dodge dealerships have cummins cert techs? or is any tech at the dealer able to work on the truck? is there such a thing as a cummins cert tech at dodge dealers?



The reason I ask is that last time my truck was in I was introduced to the tech as their only "cummins cert tech". He was thorough and has a CTD himself. well today I called up to have a few warrenty items taken care of and asked for the same tech and was told he left(to go to a ferd dealership ) So I asked if I needed to go to another shop since he was the only cummins cert tech, and the service writer said "no, any one of the guys here can work on it... Obviously they are not going to turn away business, but that doesn't mean my truck will have someone who has a clue working on it.



So give me some info please.



Thanks, Rob

 

[illflem]

My take on it-

Dealers are notorious for paying low wages to their mechanics, diesel mechanics are in high demand. Nuff said?

 

[Sticks]

Give the new tech a pop quiz. You should have learned enough on this website to ask questions to see if you get the correct answers.



After what I have learned here, if I ever have to take my baby to a stea... dealership, I will ask to see the tech, and ask him a few questions.



We need a top ten list of questions or things your dealer tech had better know the answer to before he touches our trucks.



#1. What do you know about the lift pumps/fuel pumps on the 24 valve engines through '02



A: The second generation lift pumps are known to fail frequently causing damage to the VP44/injection pump.



B: The what?



C: The pump takes gas from the tank and feeds it to the motor to keep the truck running.



Anything other than A, and I want to speak to someone else, or I am back on the road to the next dealer.

 

[Big_Daddy_T]

I know they have cummins certified techs at cummins nw. And if im paying for the repair. Im paying to have it done right. It costs a little more per hour. But you save it on parts. Plus there are some really sharp tacks at our local cummins nw. Great mechanics. I figure if its done right the first time. I save a bundle. Both shops are about 20 miles from my house and its a major inconvenience to get there once let alone twice.

 

[DLysne]

I believe the diesel mechanics at the dealers are supposed to be Cummins certified. Not so long ago I took my truck in to get a few warranty things done (on the engine) and the service manager notified me that they lost there diesel mechanic and he could not do the repairs. The service manager said if they turn in a warrany claim and it was not done by a certified tech Chrysler would deny the warranty.



Hope this helps!!

 

[jrollins]

to my knowledge many tech's at a dealer arnt even ASE certified much less cummins certified... :--)

 

[robobx]

well I spoke to some guy at DC customer service yesterday and he said if it's not major engine stuff, then they don't have to be cummins cert. He said even changing fuel injectors can be done by non cummins cert techs...

NO THANKS:-{} I guess I'll be looking for another dealer

 

[GMocanu]

Originally posted by robobx

well I spoke to some guy at DC customer service yesterday and he said if it's not major engine stuff, then they don't have to be cummins cert. He said even changing fuel injectors can be done by non cummins cert techs...

NO THANKS:-{} I guess I'll be looking for another dealer

I see your point but for minor things what's the big deal? I'm going to install my injectors so why wouldn't they be qualified to install them? My truck will never see the inside of a dealer's repair facility but thats just because I don't have a warranty (DC voided the warranty). I'd prefer a cummins tech but for minor or easy items I wouldn't sweat it.

 

[robobx]

Originally posted by GMocanu

I see your point but for minor things what's the big deal? I'm going to install my injectors so why wouldn't they be qualified to install them? My truck will never see the inside of a dealer's repair facility but thats just because I don't have a warranty (DC voided the warranty). I'd prefer a cummins tech but for minor or easy items I wouldn't sweat it.

because my wifes step dad is a mechanic at a dodge dealer and he doesn't even know what transmission is in his '03 1500 with a 4. 7:--) ... He said "it's a 5 speed" He has been with DC dealerships for >5 years.

If this is all the more they train them, then I don't want just any wrench spinning monkey touching my truck

 

[GMocanu]

I'd say that is a good point.