Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) waranty and dealer whoas

[JMachemer]

I just had my truck into the shop for an oil leak. I was seeing oil around the pan gasket and a few drops on the garage floor near the front of the engine. My thoughts were "oh boy, a new oil pan gasket and whatever else is leaking just before my waranty runs out at the end of the year". Well I was wrong. The dealership "fixed" it i think. They retorqued the pan bolts and fixed a leaking O-ring at the crank sensor. My free fix turned into a $108 argument. I went to another dealership and asked them if i was getting screwed and they explained the warranty and coverage for me. I was wrong and they were right - first time i was ever wrong



So, i am "pourin' the chili to her" this weekend making sure they fixed the leaks. I want to get be darn sure its not leaking anymore. I am planning to get Mach 4 injectors and a Phat Shaft 62 - yea i know the special prices run out Dec. 5th at PDW, so i am gonna make that purchase before that date Oo.

Has anyone ever known of a oil pan leaking due to bolts becoming loose? I have my doubts. The entire underside of the engine was soaked with diesel fuel after i had my new VP put on - the dealer didn't have all the lines tight. They got the fuel leak fixed on the 3rd try . Doesn't diesel fuel eat away at gaskets?

 

[Crazy Horse]

Has anyone ever known of a oil pan leaking due to bolts becoming loose? I have my doubts. The entire underside of the engine was soaked with diesel fuel after i had my new VP put on - the dealer didn't have all the lines tight. They got the fuel leak fixed on the 3rd try . Doesn't diesel fuel eat away at gaskets?

It sounds like you are seeing the same dealer I wen't to for my vp replacement. Approx 2-3,000 miles after the vp was replaced I noticed oil leaking off the front of the engine. A mounting bolt for the vp came up missing and one of the nuts fell off. They wound up replacing the vp they had just replaced. See this thread.



As far as your oil leak:

In the old days it was a safe repair to replace the gasket due to the possibility of splitting the gasket if you tried to re-torque it. The only time I would re-torque bolts or nuts is right just after replacing them a a few days later.



The other thing that has worked for me in preventing oil leaks is; after every new vehicle purchase re-torque oil pan. vc, and trans pan bolts just after taking delivery.

 

[WadePatton]

Sometimes a warranty just ain't worth the hassle.



QUITE a few of us could do a much better job than the dealer hacks if they'd just give us the warranty part and let us go. Thankfully all my stuff is WAY out of warranty now.



I had to stop on the side of the road to re-adjust the throttle cable recall after the dealers flunky put it on. Then I re-routed the whole thing when I got home. Incompetence abounds.

 

[RDyson]

I had to tighten the pan bolts on the rear third on mine. The pan was only damp with oil--no drops. No problems 25K later.

 

[NoSeeUm]

Yeah, if you are not mad when you step in the Dealer's Service Department, you will likely be when you leave.



Jim

 

[R-N-R]

Mine dripped oil from the front of the pan, and it hasn't been a problem since tightening the bolts.