Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) mech. @ stealership refuses to check lift pump pressure!

[Joe Mc]

Had my LP replaced @97k now @ 109. Checked PSI w/Briar's gage 8 @ idle, 2-4 @ cruise, 0 @ WOT, truck ran fine though.



Used the correct lingo, thanks to reading on the TDR, low power decreased fuel economy sometimes hard to start.



Key thing that made me take to stealer: I called parts counter to see if they had the part before taking it in, they had two of the latest revision on the shelf.



Call to see if they have the part first - make sure you have the numbers off your engine data plate and VIN# before calling.



my $. 02

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by Joe Mc





Call to see if they have the part first - make sure you have the numbers off your engine data plate and VIN# before calling.



my $. 02

Good idea

 

[Tulsa618]

I guess I had pretty good luck with my dealer (Melton's in Claremore, OK). Threw a gauge on mine at a KC dyno day in November. Found out in hurry where my power had gone! Called Melton's the next morning, told larry Melton about my readings, and he told me that he had two LPs in stock and he'd set one back on a shelf with my name on it until I could make it down from KC - and of course it was under warranty. Now, he also told me if the problem were about six inches further down the power line, it would be on me. (He's well aware of what I've done to The Beast. ) Two weeks later, there I was, the LP was waiting and they had it on in no time. Back on the road with that power I seemed to remember but hadn't experienced in a while.



With all the horror stories I read about the difficulties so many of you experience with your dealers, I feel fortunate that I made such a goood choice in buying from Melton's. And no, I don't work for them...

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by Tulsa618



With all the horror stories I read about the difficulties so many of you experience with your dealers, I feel fortunate that I made such a goood choice in buying from Melton's. And no, I don't work for them...

I might try them out next time I buy. I got a great price on mine from Ozark Dodge and good service, but I know from looking at Meltons web site that they have great prices all of the time on all of there trucks.

 

[Ian]

Briar Hooper

I'm fairly new into the 2nd generation world, drove a 1st generation for almost seven years.

Have seen mention to checking fuel pressure with a Briar Hooper.

Would someone please expain what this is, and also the cost of such an item.

Thanks in advance.

Ian.

 

[fmangani]

Ian,the gauge you want is available from Black Mountain Diesel. Tel. 859-234-3111. About 55dollars. GREAT people.

 

[CFowler]

old country dodge, hicksville. i feel the only problem was the mech. im tring not to judge the whole dealership by one jackass.

 

[dpuckett]

Guys,



hate to spoil the party, but I have come to the conclusion that Cummins is the place to go for engine trouble, not Dodge. . I have heard countless stories like this. Of course, it doesnt help that the "techs" have an arrogance about them, GOd forbid the customer know a little about the rig, or possible "DUHisms" to check. THAT, folks, is why I do all my own work. (plus, anything I can afford is LONG out of warranty, and cheaper to do myself) I have a neighbor who has most of the necessary tools to test stuff, and as long as I return it and clean it up after use, I can borrow almost anything I want.



Sorry to hear about your troubles. Better luck next time.

 

[rrl989]

CFowler,



You should hold the dealership accountable for the actions of their mechanic. You should also know by now that once you buy the truck, any loyalty goes out the window. So far, I have mostly negative experiences with after warranty DC service. I found out also that they do not want your diagnosis, they happily charge $80 / hr. for that. As long as I'm on the Island, I won't buy another Dodge because of the dealership network.



RON

 

[DPKetchum]

Ok i've been out of the dealer game two years now with back/nerve damage etc. Worked as a service advisor in a D. C. dealer out of the Atlanta area. Did'nt see many running problems out of the Cummings but now and then would have fits out of interrmittant hard starts tons of smoke etc. mainly 12 valve engines under warranty. Sent some by tow all the way to Cummings in Atlanta. Worse bunch of people I've ever dealt with in 25 years in service!Would'nt touch them for days,claim repaired and when towed in again in less then 24 hours refused to help with $200. 00 tow bills etc. Nothing but excuses. One owner drove to them to discuss his truck (had been their 3 weeks)and was told their main concern was BIG rigs and he could wait and leave them alone or take it as is!D. C. rep finally told us to not deal with them anymore and one way or another between star and us to fix it in house. He said same complaint from lots of Atlanta dealers about Cummings. Don't know if this has changed. Hope so. The dealer ate a lot of money and time on these.

 

[MarkF]

Simmilar experience with stealer... ... My pass side mirror heater quit, drivers side was fine so this tells me its the mirror and not the fuse or controlls. I go to the dealer "out of warrantee" ask the service guy to check stock on the mirror cause I don't want to leave it, or waste too much time hanging around for them to tell me I have to come back.

The sevice guy got his panties all up in a wad because "I" told him what was wrong with my truck. He sai they have to diagnose the problem, it will cost $78 to check it and then parts and labor to install the new mirror.

Whilst keeping my composure, though I'm sure my face was beet red from anger I explain to the service guy how I figured out the problem and wasn't about to spen $78 for the TEN MINUTES it takes the service monkey in the shop to tell me the pass side mirror needs replacing. I was just gonna buy the mirror and do it myself you guys loose on install too. So at this point the service guy comes around. He agrees to forgo the $78 if I am correct and it is a bad mirror. If its something else we eill renegotiate. I agree and wander off to abuse sales men and make them _rap thier shorts as I abusively test drive some SUVs to entertain myself while the truck is being serviced.

Then killed the rest of the time doing some work on the laptop.

 

[DPKetchum]

I think it all boils down to experience. I made my mistakes over the years. Had lots of customers really appreciate me and some hated my guts,thats how it is. But I knew how to handle those situations for the most part. Over the last ten years the amount of time to handle repairs warranty and knownwarranty increased 10 fold. The amount of pay per repair to adviser has decreased in percentage as well as amount of time increase. This boils down to lots less money for lots more work. The really good advisor's i've known over the year's have left the auto scene totally. Just plain fed up with 12 hour days,earth shoe type customers and the pissest techs of he last 30 years. Who gets hurt. THE consumer!By some Friday afternoons I would be so beat I hardly could find my way home. Went 6 years without a full vacation. Just a day now and then and that wasnt given with moans and groans. I averaged handling $550,000 to $650,000 dollars worth of business yearly for the two big dealers I worked with. Thats lots of customers and phone time. Pounded concrete until had to have injections in both heels of feet several times and wore out my disc. First workman's comp claim I had and was told it was MY lifestyle not 12 hour days 5 days a week on the job. Now most of the service advisor's i see are really young and dumb(sorry to say)They would hire 6 replacements hoping 1 would pan out.

 

[CFowler]

old country dodge, hicksville.