Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Dodge denying Cummins warranty work

[RobertMiller1]

I dropped my Dodge with bad lift pump off at the local diesel shop, who are a cummins authorized shop. They do warranty work on our dodge engines in the past.



They just called and said, Dodge has new policy that they will not allow cummins to do initial work on warranty of lift pump.



Dodge has to do the first 'repair'. after 1st, Cummins can do subsequent warranty repairs.



Do i need to disconnect my fuel pressure gauge, and put the schrader back on? Don't know how stubborn Dodge is going to be. I hate going to dealerships.



78,000 miles Wish it was 101,000 and I would just put a summitracing carter on it back at the tank where it belongs.



would moving the lift pump back, void the warranty? (it should be an issue where it is stock!)

 

[lmills]

hard to tell how the dealer will treat you, but I was always under the understanding that Cummins produced the motors for Dodge and it was up to Dodge to take care of the warranty work.

 

[RustyJC]

I also understood that Dodge bought the engines from Cummins without a warranty. Therefore, Cummins has no warranty reserve to fund their repairs of these engines, and Dodge has no obligation to open its checkbook to Cummins for work without Dodge having the right to have first shot at making the repair - it's their money, after all!



Rusty

 

[RobertMiller1]

Cummins is authorized and is often used by Chrysler to do warranty work.



Just confirmed this. It now appears, that Dodge wants first crack at it.



btw... Is there a 'fee' for having warranty work done? is there a deductable or co-pay?

 

[RustyJC]

Originally posted by RobertMiller1

Cummins is authorized and is often used by Chrysler to do warranty work.

OK, I won't debate that point. DaimlerChrysler is the owner of the warranty, however, and as such has the right to make the decision about who does the repair. It isn't Cummins' money or Cummins' call.



Rusty

 

[rweis]

Why in the world would DC want C to have first crack at it when DC is soooooooooooooooooo capable of screwing it up so C would have a REAL challange when C finally gets their chance to fix DC's mess?



However, it IS DC's $ and they are doing what they want with it.



I had a "nice" chat with a local "diesel tech" from a dealer same subject. DC cuts them sooooo short on shop time to do just about anything it is impossible to meet the time unless you cut corners.



Management thinking is that it is better getting paid twice for warrantee than to do it right once eventhough it takes longer but not as long as the total of both corner cut visits.



Also brings the vehicle in two times so they have the "opportunity" to sell services a second time regardless that the customer is not happy with the first visit.



Bob Weis

 

[RobertMiller1]

update

Well, Just called McNatt Dodge in Denton Texas.



Asked:

1. if a lift pump was covered on warranty

2. is there a deductable or co-pay.



Answer:

1. We will have to diagnose it to see if it is covered under warranty.



2. The diagnostics cost, and there is either a $50 or $100 copay 'depending' upon what it is.



I tried repeating the question several times forcing them to respond to question number one.

I rephrased the question. If the lift pump is DEAD ZERO PRESSURE is it covered under warranty. Answer same as before.



3. CONCLUSION. I will never ever do business with CHRYSLER again. I will buy a Carter for $89 at Summitracing and put the PUMP where Chrysler should have to begin with. and they can go screw themselves forever. I will forfeit the 22,200 miles I have left on their so called marketing scam 'warranty' and they can go broke into and reap the obscurity they so covet

 

[s2Mumford]

I understand you're mad at the dealer right now, but that'll pass. I think the Dodge diesel is the best truck on the road for my purposes, and I have recently accepted teh mantra of this board: "You are your own warranty station".



It's still a great truck, regardless of the dealer support (or lack thereof).





Good Luck!

 

[RobertMiller1]

no problem, but it's not a great truck. It could have been. But like most large corporations, they are very short sighted.



Dodge will see no money from me.



These jokers could own the 3/4 and 1 ton market. Chevy has stumbled and Ford has no engine.

 

[Bob4x4]

Before you get too upset,call chrysler's 800#. There is no copay on warranty!!!. They can not charge you a diagnostic charge for a warranty repair. The initial estimate may be legit,but once it is determined that is a warrantable repair that charge should be dropped. Good luck.



Bob

 

[RobertMiller1]

I've had other issues with this dealership. I've been told in the past, that there was not a 100,000 mile drivetrain warranty unless I purchased additional warranty.



I won't do business with people like this. Period.



I just ordered my carter electric fuel pump from Summitracing.



AFter body is shot, and it is paid for, I will buy an urban guerilla (h1) clone body, and use my drive train.



No one makes the vehicle I want anyway.



A ford f350 4 door with cummins and mechanical pump would be ideal.



or H1 with Cummins 350hp and mech pump.

 

[rweis]

Well, PO'ed at the dealer will pass huh?



Had mine 24 months and not been back or looked back. That $53 oil change that was quoted at $23 for the first oil change has probably been beneficial in the things I have learned and learned to do so it does not go back, EVER.



I think the next truck will be a commercial truck with 4 door cab and a bed on it. Not going to play the "dealership" game again.



The larger truck places seem to deal with their customers way better than the DC "dealerships".



I have not heard of one person that went to a Peterbuilt, Cummins, Heavy truck dealer that wished they had gone to a DC dealer instead.



Has anyone else heard of someone that went to a heavy dealer that wished they went to DC instead?



I even went to the heavy dealer for exhaust manifold gaskets because the same Cummins part was about 60% of the DC parts cost. Same product, bag, packaging, etc - oh you know what I mean, I'll stop here, preaching to the choir!



Bob Weis

 

[RustyJC]

Originally posted by rweis

I think the next truck will be a commercial truck with 4 door cab and a bed on it. Not going to play the "dealership" game again.

Yep, a Peterbilt 330 crew cab with a custom B&W Elite 5th wheel towing bed is looking purdy nice!



Robert, I'm really sorry one bad dealer can turn you off to the Dodge. I was a "Ford man" for over 30 years until I bought my first Dodge 3500 dually back in 1996 to tow a 5th wheel RV. Since then, we've bought a 2000 Durango SLT+ for my wife and my current 2002 3500 dually, and all have been among the most trouble-free vehicles I've ever owned (although a Honda Civic Si and my current Acura 3. 2TL-S have been just as good, and 2 Volvos weren't). My current truck has never been back to the dealer for anything, much less a warranty repair, and it spends 90% of its life towing a 13,500 lb 5th wheel. Just goes to show you, I guess... ...



Rusty

 

[RobertMiller1]

Wrong impression

I'm giving you guys the wrong impression. I love my truck.



My whole reason of going to a small business and diesel specialty shop was to avoid doing business with a large corporation that only wants into my wallet.



I just really despise dealerships. All dealerships. Take your pick. They are for a great percentage, liars, cons, and scam artists.



The name 'Stealership' says it all. Love that monicor.



No, I will buy my vehicles used from individuals. Dealers can get stuffed.

 

[jeepit]

RM1, Did you disconnect fuel pressure gauage before you wnet in??

 

[RobertMiller1]

never went in. Called them on phone and asked questions.



Didn't like evasive answer.



Not a problem. Carter pump should be here today from SummitRacing. Will mount in back.

 

[NVR FNSH]

Did you try another dealer?



Brian

 

[RobertMiller1]

I've sworn off dealers.



I'll be doing my own work.

 

[RobertMiller1]

Point of thread

The whole point of this thread was to shed light on the fact that whatever the relationship is or was between cummins certified dealers and chrysler has changed.



I and I suspect others, would much rather work with a cummins backed shop, than with Dodge when it comes to work on these engines.



It is no surprise, that Chrysler would incorporate cummins repair shops into their warranty program. It makes good sense. It vastly expands their expertise on these diesels and the technical support pool. This can dramatically effect customer satisfaction.



It now seems Chrysler wants right of first refusal on warranty work, or to only send problems with a history of the dealership not being able to fix.



Really puts a damper on using this resource.

 

[NVR FNSH]

Robert,

AFAIK DC has always stated that warranty work must go thru them and if they chose to outsource to a Cummins shop then it was their choice. Certainly, I would prefer to take an engine problem directly to a Cummins shop but that's not what the warranty contract states.



ALL my warranty, except tires I think, claims are thru DC - heck, I bought a DC truck with a Cummins engine, not a Cummins engine surrounded by a DC truck. Can't drive the Cummins engine w/o the DC packaging.



Brian