Great Timing
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Amherstburg, On canada
Great Timing
I dropped my truck off at my local dealer for new tires last night - said they needed a few hours and i didnt have time to wait. They price matched the local tire dealer and offered a $100 credit towards parts and service in the future. Anyway iv been having trouble starting the truck in weather below -10 and this morning it was -20 and she didnt start for them. After diagnosing the problem the service advisor called me and said the FICM was toast - about $980 from Ford plus labour BUT it was covered by warrenty ( 3 months left ) phew. while they had the truck in the air for the tires they noticed i had a very small drop of oil under my bellhousing - this was the same mechanic that replaced my rear main seal 5 months ago and said he found it very difficult to believe the seal had gone again - so they are going to shampoo and dye test tomorrow - have to wait for the FICM to come in anyway. I just coudnt believe she quit working right at the dealership - saved me a tow bill. I tried asking for the old FICM so i could play with it but i was told old parts are not given to the customer that are replaced under warranty. so im wait and see on where my oil leak is from.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 307
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From: Amherstburg, On canada
No doulbt - that $1000 in tires could end saving me $6000 in repairs if it ends up being a bedplate leak. And it was just on a whim i called the dealer to see if they would price match the tire shop.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,782
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From: Huntington Indiana
Give that mechanic a pat on the back for noticing and resolving your problems. Great mechanics are hard to find. Some just throw parts and then the good ones think before doing anything.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,420
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From: Ouray, CO
Yep, it's important to single out GREAT folks!
Since typically only the negative experiences get visibility,
I've started making it a point to tell restaurant/store managers
when an employee does a great job. It's interesting how when I
ask for the manager folks become nervous/concerned.....
then get big smiles when I explain why!
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Amherstburg, On canada
I will be thanking the mechanic with a little something extra. I was under the belief that dealership techs did not activly seek out warrenty repairs on vehicles unless they spotted something safety related. this mechanic could have easily ignored the drip and finished the tires. His extra little bit of vigilance may have saved me thousands ( yet to be determined ) however wether it turns out to be a $100 sensor or a multiple thousand dollar bedplate - i appreciate the extra effort, and will make sure he knows that.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: N. Fort Worth, tx
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Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Amherstburg, On canada
i didnt question the price since i wasent paying for it - if it was my dime i would have shopped around. i picked up the truck today - tires on and ficm replaced - dye in the motor. they want me to drive it around for a week or so and then they will put the light on it, Service advisor is leaving the work order open so i dont have to pay the deductible twice. I discussed with him the proceedure involved in the bed plate repair if that what it turns out to be. I had the bedplate repaired about 2 years ago and the tech there at that time told me he didnt have to remove the engine to repair it - he took everything off the top of the motor and jacked it right up and replaced it. the advisor told me now that they require their techs to remove the motor for that repair as it can not adequatly be done still installed. that tech no longer works there. The last bedplate they did ( not mine) found the block to be out of square and was replaced under warrenty. that took the repair from 2800 to nearly 6000 for a block replacement - really really glad i got the warranty. if the motor has to come out or has to be replaced i will pay the extra for studs.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,123
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From: N. Fort Worth, tx
theres a few threads on bedplates. there is as always a right way and a wrong way. the wrong way is doing them in frame.
pull the motor and disassemble down to bedplate. replace worm gaskets add form-a-gasket (not silicon) to the bedplate sealing are. reassemble and reinstall.
IMO bedplates suck to do.
pull the motor and disassemble down to bedplate. replace worm gaskets add form-a-gasket (not silicon) to the bedplate sealing are. reassemble and reinstall.
IMO bedplates suck to do.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Amherstburg, On canada
the service guy told me Ford is very tight on the time allowed for repairs and the first tech was trying to cut the hours down but did it probably at the expense of a proper repair. hence the requirment for engine removal - he also said bedplates suck lol
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Deerfield, VA
I LOVE my Ford Techs! I get advice, even get to borrow tools. Oh, my son works there as a "B" tech, when he is not off fixing copters in IRAQ. I came in with two boxes of "joe" and donuts just last week for the boys. It is also not hard to forget the days I worked the line at Ford and Buick before I embarked on my career of being a HS shop teacher.
John
John