Thanx FoMoCo-stranded & out 598 clams (long)

[midlife crisis]

Yep- last night 250 miles from home-the Ex decides enough is enough and leaves me in the median for my first time in 25+ driving years.

Hood up, flashers on, me walking around in the grass with the cell.

"Car trouble?"... ... "Why funny you ask". That conversation took place about 10 times.

There were some good hearted people that stopped, some flakes, and a few cops. I had plenty of time for reflection till the rollback showed. (2hrs)



Dropped it off @ the dealer-a C note tip got me a bonus ride to my hotel.

I was first in line this a. m. Service writer asks the trouble. After splaining-and informing him no tach rpm on crank- his reply is " must be a bad IAC". I inform him it is indeed a diesel, and an IAC-he would be hard pressed to find under the hood.

He then confirms (like Carnack the Great) what I had already mentioned. . a bad CPS.

SO... 90 minutes later, my wallet was again lightened, for 2. 5 hours labor (I am told "different rates for different jobs"). Another 200 sheckles for the CPS and 25 disposal fee. (Not even the courtesy of a smooch first)



24hrs later- I am home, Brown Liquor is close, and the whole thing just feels like a bad dream. Should make for an interesting expense report. A little sympathy... please.

 

[JR2]

You have discoverd why I keep a CPS and 10mm end wrench in the glove box of my Ex.



I just go done paying $585 for the dealer to make my "shift on the fly 4x4" shift at all. Stupid ford has an entire computer module to control 4x4 shifting... what happend to a shift lever on the floor?

 

[PToombs]

Stupid ford has an entire computer module to control 4x4 shifting... what happend to a shift lever on the floor?

One of Ferd's better ideas! :-laf :-laf

 

[WDaniels]

Man oh man, what a bummer of an evening. At least your heated tail gate didn't give out. :-laf Sorry, couldn't resist.

WD

 

[Alphacowboy]

at least with this "ex" you have a chance at swapping her "heart" with a much better model... . :-laf

 

[JR2]

at least with this "ex" you have a chance at swapping her "heart" with a much better model... . :-laf

That is what I will be doing with mine, new heart, new transmission, new suspension and it will be one hell of a truck.

 

[HOBrian]

Drew that really sucks!!!! :{ Where did you get stuck? (Turnpike,GSP) You should take the the truck out for a good beating, just be sure you are close to a dealer :-laf

 

[Dl5treez]

Depending on their labor rate... .



Standard 1 hour diagnostic rate charged by most dealers = 1. 0hr

Additional 'Diesel Engine Diagnostic Testing' charged by some dealers = 1. 0hr... . this is a supplement series of ~20 separate tests (fuel pressure, intake restriction, oil galley pressures, etc) used for warranty repairs that FoMoCo requires be performed before any Powerstroke repairs are authorized; rarely does a dealer nail customers with these, but unethical shops jump at the chance for additional diagnostic charges, as do greedy flat-rate mechanics wanting more money in their pocket.



Per Alldatapro.com, which I have an account at, labor time to replace the CPS is . 3hr, or 18 minutes... . it takes about 2 minutes in all actualiy.



FoMoCo dealer price for the part, part # F7TZ-12K073-A. is $187. 20 as of this writing.



It's an unfortunate situation, sorry you had to go through it. At the very least I would contact the dealer service manager and dispute the high labor charges; they can speak 'flat rate, different charges for different repairs' but repair costs must be in line with an average and in this case they're way above it. Some shops charge more money for diesel repairs as well, but 2. 5hr for diag & repair of the #1 most common Powerstroke 'died while driving, cranks but no start, no tach on crank' complaint is complete crap.



I'm speaking as a former Ford dealer diesel mechanic, a Master certified FoMoCo 'Powerstroke Specialist', Master certified FoMoCo warranty admin, and FoMoCo Master certified service consultant, and a current mechanic at a fleet with over 50 Powerstroke-powered Ford trucks of various years... . so please believe the info I've given you is in fact legitimate.



Hope this helps,



Dan-

 

[midlife crisis]

Brian- I wish it had happened here- I've got friends at pretty much every exit from 105 on down. The problem was I was in Chesapeake Virginia on business. All I could focus on was getting home.

Dan- thanks for the info. I was going to run the bill past my local dealer next time I'm in for service.

The offending dealer's follow-up call took place yesterday. She called asking if I was "completley satisfied".

I explained the bill situation-she offered zero comment. It sounded like a checklist that she asked from-where there was no room for comments outside the specific question.

She did offer a coupon- I reminded her she just dialed an area code 250 miles from her. . a coupon for her dealership wasnt going to comfort me.

I did offer thanks for getting me on the road the next day- after that I think she stopped listening.

The price on the part is listed at 200. No doubt high, but the labor charged sure has me fumeing.

What an ordeal- and as long as I am posting & airing the grievances- Merry Christmas & Happy Festivus.