Hey guys. I've been a lurker for a while, but had a problem come up that I need some advice with.

I will try and make this long story quick.

We have a few construction companies. We buy quite a few SD trucks, mainly 6.7 350 long beds. We always use the same dealership. This year we ordered around 500k worth of SD's from them.

Recently it was time for me to replace my 150 ecoboost that I've been in for around 275k. I decided to go with a 6.2 f250 short bed. 2018 xlt premium. Ordered the truck in.

Quickly after I received the truck (Around 9k miles in) it developed a cold start knock. I took it into my dealership three times for this issue. They claimed to never hear the sound. I would drop it off, it would sit for about a week and then pick it up. The dealership could for some reason never give me a loaner. Finally got one on the third drop off. This was started when I first heard the noise and then I would drop it off every 5-7 thousand miles hoping they would hear it. I was taking videos and shooting it to the dealership all the time. The noise occurred on almost every cold start.

Another issue cropped up around mile 18k. The engine fan clutch began to get stuck on 100%.
Had the truck in, they replaced the fan clutch. They also had to replace the radiator when the tech accidentally dropped the assembly on the radiator.

After this was fixed, I had a 1000 mile drive to Orlando towing my camper. Truck does the same thing the second day in. Limp it into Orlando dealership and they figure out its actually the ac compressor requesting the fan. They replace a pressure valve in the ac and send me on my way. Towing back to tx truck does the same thing the second day yet again. Finally make it back to TX.

Drop the truck off at the dealership again, this time they apparently hear the engine noise. Tear into the engine and discover a messed up roller and cam. They also test the ac system and come to the conclusion the compressor and other components need to be replaced. Some sort of restriction in the system that was causing the problem.

So at this point I get a little fed up with the dealership. They are horrible at communication, sometimes taking me two emails and three or more phone calls before I can get an update on the truck. They have had it now for around 4 weeks. Supposedly it will be ready sometime next week.

I really don't trust the truck anymore. I told the dealership that I wanted to get rid of the truck and get a 6.7 based one. They say they would work on the numbers and help me out. Overall after I received the numbers there was zero "helping out" on the trade in value, and I would be taking a huge hickey on my gas truck to go up to the 6.7.

They were also not willing to offer an extended warranty on a engine that has had metal shot through it sense it was at 9k miles. My sales lady said I would have to go through ford corporate to try and get anything like that.

At this point should I go full lemon law? I already meet the requirements for time without the vehicle in Texas. If I have any other issues with the fully rebuilt ac or engine I would also meet the 4x requirement on both of those. What would you do in my shoes?

Thanks

 

 

Man, I'd be pretty pissed if I was that loyal to a dealership and they treated me like I was a first-time customer buying a used Fiesta. I'd take it up with the general manager. I'm sure he'd appreciate knowing how his staff was treating you.

You have good cause to be concerned. If the rocker roller and cam ate themselves, that sent fine metal throughout the engine. The oil filter traps but a fraction of debris. Most of the oil is bypassed around the filter. Yes, eventually all the oil is filtered but if you have debris in the oil, it's going to find its way to the engine. The normal, due diligence method is to completely disassemble and thoroughly clean the engine or to just replace the engine and start over. To just replace the bad parts is just an invitation to excessive wear to everything that is part of the oiling system. I don't know, I wasn't there when the repair was made so it's possible they did it correctly but your description doesn't seem to indicate that.

The truck may finally be fixed. But it seems there is sufficient doubt in your mind to believe otherwise. In that regard, I'd lemon law the truck.

 

Thanks.

Yes, I was pretty astounded by the way the whole ordeal was treated. I finally told them yesterday that they had completely soured the relationship and they would not be seeing another dime. The GM had been involved every step of the way. The dealership in question is Ryan Ford in Sealy, TX.

I guess I will get the ball rolling on the 30 day based lemon law. I was trying to avoid this as everyone always says that the process is long and painful, but that's probably my only option on getting this sorted out.

 

Just because you meet the requirements to have the truck replaced under the Lemon Law doesnt mean the Ford team will agree with you. You need a good trail of documentation of service visits on paper including time dropped off, when picked up, what they did, or didnt do, etc etc.
I know for certain even if you are approved to have your truck bought back it will be months before your case gets settled.
Not trying to discourage you, just pointing out some facts.

Ford agreed to buy back my truck in Sept and I dont expect to be in my new one until the end of Jan. But may get lucky and get it earlier.