2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission How many hours does Dodge give to change heater core

[Joe Mc]

Yeah, just changed my heater and evaporator cores with Dodge Parts. BS! Heater core made in Taiwan Evaporator made in China #@$%!



Anyway the new heater core leaks:{ So in order for Dodge to replace the part I have to get my buddies shop to make up two ROs (I'm guessing this would be a Repair Order) one for the installation and one for diagnosing the problem to indicate defective new heater core after the installation was performed.



My buddy says no problem. He also mentioned last fall he installed a new heater core purchased from Auto Zone in a customer's car that leaked out and caused a bunch of damage to the customer's sound system and carpet. When he presented all the documentation to Auto Zone they not only gave him a replacement part but reimbursed him for the labor, new replacement radio and new replacement carpet for the customer's car.



So it really ticks me off that I think I'm doing the correct thing (there I go thinking again!) by purchasing the parts from Dodge and then the POS is made in Taiwan and leaks worse than the original 13 year old part too boot. And at first I was just calling to see how to go about getting the part replaced, but then I started thinking about having to do that screwed up job again and that really Peed me off!



Rant complete.



So in an effort to get the paperwork correct how many hours does Dodge give a Tech to swap (if only it was that easy) out a heater core? This is for the truck in my signature, AC & Heat, Radio & Speed controls on the steering wheel shouldn't make that much difference in the hours of labor? It took me about 10 hours total, but I did a few other things as well. I've heard Dodge gives the Tech 8 hours labor?



Your help is appreciated.



Joe Mc

 

[Axtell3]

I did it in about 3. I'm sure the Book is closer to 6.

 

[GCroyle]

5. 0 hrs per Mitchell, 94-01 heater core R&R

 

[NIsaacs]

Joe, I hear your pain. I did a customers Jeep Grand Cherokee, very simular the the Dodge and it took me the better part of two days! I will work on my own but I will not do anymore for anyone else... . it is not worth the hair loss. The sequence of r&r is critical. I had to backup all day long,... . jeeze..... !!

Nick

 

[BigPapa]

5. 0 hrs per Mitchell, 94-01 heater core R&R

Gary I see 6. 3 hours plus A/C system charge. We always charged 8. 0 hours.

 

[GCroyle]

Gary I see 6. 3 hours plus A/C system charge. We always charged 8. 0 hours.

View attachment 82547

Oops, at the top of the column, in small print DOES NOT INCULUDE SYSTEM CHARGE, my bad. We have PAPER book!

 

[Joe Mc]

Guys, you Rock! "The TDR - I LOVE THIS PLACE!!!!"



No further replies required Mitchel say 8. 0 so 8. 0 it is.



Thanks,



Joe Mc

 

[Joe Mc]

Well took my repair orders to steelership today. Wow they'll cover the part, but I had to pay in advance and after 3 days I'll get a credit. Whop-ta-da-friggin-doo... So much for standing behind their parts. Looks like I'll be buying "everything" I possibly can from the non-steelership parts houses. At least they "honor" what they sell. If you have no idea what I'm talking about see 1st post, 4th paragraph.



Dodge says "sorry Mr. Loyal Customer, SCREW you for buying our made "ANYWHERE" but the good old USofA parts. " "Ma Mopar doesn't cover "outside" labor, only "inside" labor". So from now on either have us install our made "wherever" parts which we'll be more than happy to accommodate with so you pay 50% more than those little pesky auto stores "and" then pay our high labor rates, so if the cut-rate garbage part fails then we'll still be far enough ahead of the game (and deep enough into your pockets - Ha, Ha, yes Sir that's what you get for your loyalty isn't it great to be us?) that it doesn't matter to us "OR" go ahead and buy the same part, which is at least of the same quality as what we'll sell you, for 50% at least less than we'll charge you and if it fails and they cover the initial labor and any other damage "we don't give a rat's anal orifice". That's just how cool we are.



So now I'm looking at the labor - A-FRIGGIN-GAIN! Rant complete for now.



Moral of this story: Dodge parts just lost a long term parts customer, but they don't care they'd rather be "cool" as described above, than maintain a long term customer. #@$%!:{:{:{

 

[BigPapa]

"Ma Mopar doesn't cover "outside" labor, only "inside" labor".

Hate to break it to you, but this is pretty much industry standard. I don't know anybody, dealer or independant supplier, that will pay for your labor if you install something yourself.

they cover the initial labor and any other damage

If you have a parts supplier willing to do this, it is not the norm. I've begged for labor on parts warranties with them all, NAPA, AutoZone, Advance, and O'reilly's. Only one I ever got anything from was our local parts store.



That's why you had to commit fraud and turn in bogus repair orders.

 

[Bob4x4]

Committing or trying to comit fraud is better than a written policy that has been in place for as long as I have been working ?????? Come on is this the right way??

 

[DavidC]

I feel your emotions on this Joe. Back when I had the 53 block crack at 53k miles and 39 months Chrysler would do nothing for a loyal customer. They just don't give a shi*. The wife had a 02 Dakota and we promptly drove it to a Toyota dealer and traded it in. I still have my Dodge but do not know if I will ever buy another one with the way I was treated with a block with a known problem. Still pisse* me off when I think of it.

Dave

 

[Bob4x4]

Interesting... . The engine has been covered for at
Least 5/100. was your engine modified?

 

[DavidC]

Not Modified. Chrysler stated 3 year 100,000 which ever occurs first. I was at 3 years 3 months.

Dave

 

[DMather]

It's times like this... . replacing the heater core in my 02... where the dash has to be moved at all... that makes me love my 1948 Chevy (brand does not matter) so much more. Much simpler times.

Heater replacement on most pre 1950 vehicles take about 20 minute. 40 minutes pre-1960. I'm 5 hours into my replacement because it screwed up the entire HVAC box and I'm not going to go through all the work and not overhaul the box at the opportunity. I figure Friday night and all day Saturday and I should be running again. (and use Sunday to put the train horns in )

 

[BigPapa]

We did a heater core on a Chevy 3500 with the big block in it once. It had a door in the firewall that gave you instant access. Can't remember what year it was. Seems like it was late '90's early '00's.

 

[mwilson]

Hate to break it to you, but this is pretty much industry standard. I don't know anybody, dealer or independant supplier, that will pay for your labor if you install something yourself.





If you have a parts supplier willing to do this, it is not the norm. I've begged for labor on parts warranties with them all, NAPA, AutoZone, Advance, and O'reilly's. Only one I ever got anything from was our local parts store.



That's why you had to commit fraud and turn in bogus repair orders.

For sure, if a parts store ponied up the vendor must have been standing behind an ongoing issue and that is not a normal happening... .



Daimler (Freightliner / Western Star / Sterling) will not pay labor for defective parts replacement unless a franchised dealer performed the work. Neither will Thermo-King, Mitsubishi-Fuso, Cummins, AC-Delco, Detroit Diesel to name a few that I directly deal with on a daily basis.

Caterpillar will if it is a result of a defective part on a case by case basis per the determination of the field agent (who is himself a tech and nobody's fool).

Some won't even pay progressive parts damage, for example a valve drops out of a defective cylinder head, destroys the piston and liner, whacks the turbo wheel on the way out. They will give you another cylinder head and that is it.



But all the companies above will pay labor and progressive damage if the work was done at a franchised dealer. The assumption is made that the work was done correctly.

There is no way to prove that with an independant shop or a DIY situation.



Look at alternators, most of them that are turned in for warranty are fine. Customer did not check wiring, battery condition, etc. , the basics were not performed.

He puts the 2nd alternator on and it still doesn't charge. THEN he goes looking for the trouble elsewhere. And nevers tells you the difference.



Mike.