Trucks breaking my pocketbook! opinions?

[machinemover]

I have $12,500 into my truck by the end of this month and not sure if I'm fixed yet or not. First the transmission went out in New jersey, clutch slipping, yeadda, yadda. Repair tech said bad clutch, bad bearings and input shaft. $1200. made it to Vegas trans out again, full replacement $3900, 12 month unlimed milage warrantee this time. (Jersy guy says "different problem, not liable") Engine been acting up for a while (po148 code, had this to several dealers and they "say they fixed it and never did" now we are way out of warantee, 150,000 miles on the truck) and now has gotten worse,truck will only go 10mph up hill pulling a load. took it in after the transmission was fixed and I am about $7200 into reapirs on this thing, he tried a injection pump, dropped the fuel tank, been screwing around with this truck for three weeks now. he now says it gave him a po606 code and replaced the, ECM, he now says full set of injectors after he can't figure anything else could be wrong, but he's still not promising this is going to fix the truck. if I just pick the truck up at this point he wants $4000 for labor so far. He says he is entitled to his labor costs since this is "my problem" and I took it to him for repair. he even says if it turns out he can not repair the truck he is still entitled to his full labor, doesn't sound right to me. At this point I feel I have no recourse but to let him continue his repair until my truck is fixed/. Opinions?

 

[rbattelle]

Ouch, that's a real mess. Sometimes you've got to just cut your losses. $12500 is a lot of money, and I fear your man might not really know what he's doing.

Given your symptoms and your Edge Juice, my first thought was either injectors or rail pressure relief valve. Both of these are easily tested with the right equipment.

I think your mechanic might be just taking shots in the dark hoping he'll eventually replace whatever the problem part is. A very very expensive way to work on a vehicle.

Ryan

 

[MMeier]

Where'd you find these shops? Where is it at now?

 

[Matt400]

I if I just pick the truck up at this point he wants $4000 for labor so far. He says he is entitled to his labor costs since this is "my problem" and I took it to him for repair. he even says if it turns out he can not repair the truck he is still entitled to his full labor, doesn't sound right to me.

Ouch... you need a new shop asap.

To diagnose a drivability problem using all the available resources including tools , personal knowledge and the available knowledge online usually is done in one hour or less. From there you have parts needed and time to install.

At this point a revised estimate is made along with a ph call to the customer.

That's how it is done in our shop.



Simply hanging parts on a vehicle doesn't cut it. If a new injection pump did not fix the trouble then he buys the pump and can either take it back off or elect to leave it on there but its not "your problem" he misdiagnosed the trouble. He needs to "man up" right now and say he doesn't know how to diagnose your trouble and refer you to a shop that can.



Did you sign and estimate for repairs? The estimate we prepare in this situation is just for testing to find out what it needs so we can make an accurate completed estimate.



Do a search using the shop finder here: iATN - International Automotive Technicians' Network and look for a sponsoring shop. Call several to get a feel for what they are capable of on your model.

 

[machinemover]

That's the whole thing, is seems to be a well equipt dieselshop and he is talking intellegently. His proticular bill is at about $7100 ecm, injectors. first thing he did is disconnect the edge box, he found a turbosencor to be bad and some other sencor. I then took the truck back because I needed it for work. I assumed I would be back to my old problem which was poping po148 code. I could live with that because it would only limit my power slightly and temporarally. The new issue with the ten mile an hour thing is weird. It will do it for about the first half hour of driving then it kicks something and runs pretty ok. but the first half hour is 10 miles an hour when I am pulling, it's pretty bad. Anyway this guy has done everything he should do, I think. He tried a new injection pump, that didn't work so he pulled it and didn't try and sell be a new one, he just swapped the old one back. Thing is, I never saw this truck code a po606, he says I never would because I don't have the right equipment and something about the proceedure. I have to take his word for it. I feel like I am up against a wall, weird problem and eating up labor at $95 an hour. Guess I have to live with his labor cost until he fixes it, not sure if pulling the truck would be good at this point. could only create more labor costs for the next guy to check everythign he has already been through.

 

[machinemover]

MMeier

J and R diesel service, Dean Martin dr,LV

 

[MMeier]

MMeier

J and R diesel service, Dean Martin dr,LV

J&S? Damn, usually Scotty and his boys are pretty good, they are about the only Bosch shop in town as far as i know.

 

[Matt400]

Guess I have to live with his labor cost until he fixes it, not sure if pulling the truck would be good at this point. could only create more labor costs for the next guy to check everythign he has already been through.

Not so, at worst you have top pay another shop their hourly rate for diagnostics to get an estimate, 1-2 hrs max.

He either can find the problem or not. Where do you draw the line at this 95hr? what if he has it another 20hrs just to figure out it needs a TPS?



Do you mean to say that his bill at the moment is 7100. 00 and its still broke?

If its still broke then what is the 7100. 00 all about?

Did you sign an estimate for repairs? if so what is the estimate amount?

 

[Forrest Nearing]

cut losses, sell truck, buy a 12v, enjoy simplicity

 

[MMeier]

I would have to think they checked the lift pump and put a fresh filter in by now... .

 

[Forrest Nearing]

also, PLEASE don't take this the wrong way, but if you can't work on the truck yourself or have a good network of people you know and trust that can do so and you NEED a diesel to make a living, I suggest shopping hard and getting the best price you can on a brand new one, and trade it in on another new one at 80k or so...



seems like you spend a lot that way, but if you shop around and buy right,, you can actually do pretty good. in TX, we can buy right and trade in and only lose a grand or two on te actual truck.



lose $2-3k every couple years vs. a $12. 5k month?

 

[sop]

I've been struggling with the 148 code for a year now. loss of power in the morning. clears up after a short time. on occasion it has died at traffic lights. hard to start as if loss of fuel pressure. no one can find the cause. pressure relief valve was replaced, sensor, and fuel pump in tank. still does it. If anyone finds the cause, I wish they'd post it.

 

[wcjp]

Have you checked lift pump pressure?



Did a Google search for you. Came up with this. Might be some new ideas to think about.





BD-Power Forums | WELCOME TO OUR CLUB! - PO148 fuel delivery error

 

[sop]

lift pump checked OK. I'm beginning to wonder if it a computer problem. I do whish i had a 12v now though.

 

[machinemover]

wcjb, thanks for the look up. I googled and found nothing, don't know why. I can't do this stuff myself, besides I am in a rental in Atlanta and my truck is in Vegas. MMeir or anyone, please direct me to the best repair in northern arizona or vegas. Should I pull my truck from this guy? He's going to ask for $4 g in ecm and diagnosis. I did sign an estimate sheet, not sure what it said. whre do I stand guys? I need this truck it's costing me down time every day.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

what do you do with it? you could buy a NICE, road ready 12v dually tomorrow for $10k

 

[MMeier]

wcjb, thanks for the look up. I googled and found nothing, don't know why. I can't do this stuff myself, besides I am in a rental in Atlanta and my truck is in Vegas. MMeir or anyone, please direct me to the best repair in northern arizona or vegas. Should I pull my truck from this guy? He's going to ask for $4 g in ecm and diagnosis. I did sign an estimate sheet, not sure what it said. whre do I stand guys? I need this truck it's costing me down time every day.

See what your estimate sheet said on it. By law here, IIRC, they can not exceed that amount by a certain precentage without your approval. Here is the number to the local Cummins shop on the north end of town;Cummins Rocky Mountain, LLC.



2750 Losee Rd

North Las Vegas NV 89030

Tel: (702) 399-2339

Fax: (702) 399-2614 If you call them, ask them where they take thier pumps to, it may be J&S. There is a shop up in Hurricane Utah, that a few members here use also, can't recall thier name off hand though. If I can be of assistance let me know.

 

[sag2]

Almost makes you wish you had taken it to a dealer! Here in CA, the BAR would most likely make the shop give you a refund for not repairing it. They do not usually let shops get away with charging for repairs that don't fix the truck. Check your state laws concerning auto repairs.

 

[klenger]

What happened to the warranty?

 

[Forrest Nearing]

What happened to the warranty?

I believe he said the truck is ~50k out of warranty