Hi

I just came across this site while doing some searching for information and it looks like the kind of form I need.

I have a 2006 Dodge 3500 with about 45000 km on it. Mechanically it has worked flawlessly since I bought it until Friday when I had to have it towed in because it would not start. Been getting harder to start when warm for the last week, and was taking it in Thursday for service.

The dealer called me today and said all my injectors are shot. They are hinting that maybe I am using bad fuel. If I am they said it would cost $6000 to replace the injectors. I had to give them permission to remove and inspect the fuel tank, at my expense of course, or they would not do anything with it. This is my work truck and I felt they had me bent over the hood and was going to do some deep prodding.

It was indicated to me that there were lots more with this problem. They had them lined up for service.

I have been looking for something that would indicate Cummins was having injector problems. So far I have found nothing, so I am wondering if anyone has any information, or a link that would help. I would like to be able to go to the dealer with something that says Dodge is having a problem, and it is not because I am using dirty fuel. Except for twice, and that was a while ago, I have only used Petro Canada's fuel in the truck.

I am not sure why I bought the extended warranty. Every time I talk to them they tell me my problem it is not covered under warranty.

I had a 1997, 2500 before this, and put over 500,000 km on it with a failed water pump being the only problem with the motor.

Thank for any help

jockbox

 

45,000 km? under warranty, completely. engine is under 100,000 mile warranty. get in your glove box, grab your warranty booklet and turn to the page that shows what is/isnt covered. let them read it.
$6000 to replace injectors? ha ha ha ha ha ha you can buy new, performance injectors for 1/4 of that. i am sorry my friend, but that dealer is trying to take you for a ride.

 

Oh, how I know it, but I didn't want to be shoved to the back of the line. I need my truck to work. Tomorrow when I go in there there will be one service writer who will never forget me. I don't take kindly to being threatened. I just want to make sure I have all my bases covered. $6000, I don't know where he came up with that figure, but I don't like to argue with anyone on the phone.

Thanks

jockybox

 

I agree with dodgezilla04, it seems that the dealer is trying to take you for a ride at your expense. The only thing I can think of at the dealers be half is that they do not cover defected parts due to bad fuel. You have to go after the fuel company for repairs. The question remains if the injectors can go all of a sudden go bad for 1 tank of fuel??

 

Sounds like you need to go over him to the big boss and ruffle some tail feathers or ask them where another dealership is that would like your future business. car dealers make me dont let them take you to the cleaners man.

 

work truck or not, can you shell out $6k because they said so? i sure couldnt. that dealer is trying to see just how much you are willing to spend. the service department makes more money on customer paid work versus DC warranty work.

contact via pm, morkable, he lives up your way and is really knowledgeable.

 

I don't think they can get away with the bad fuel thing. Both place I fuel up at are bulk stations that go through thousands of liters a day. Eighteen wheelers are always fuelling up there.

Also what is the fuel filter for? Does it not show when there if water in the fuel?

Thanks
jockybox

 

I will be doing that, but I don't think it will make much difference. In this part of the country it is almost imposable to get live bodies with a brain that you can count on doing anything half right. They are the largest Dodge truck dealer in 500 km and only have two diesel mechanics, and these guys can work all the hours they want. The other dealer is worse.

Once I get my wheels back I can be a little more forceful.

jockybox

 

Dude your story makes me sick if you truck is under warranty you DO NOT have to pay for any diagnoses work
this dealer is taking advantage of you big time!!
I would find a new dealer ASAP

fuel filter is for filtering fuel have you ever changed it??
I hope this dealer is not charging 6,000 bucks to change a clogged fuel filter

 

For $6000 you can afford to go to the back of the line, get a rental if needed for work, take a deep breath and look for another dealership for a second opinion. Seek out the DC district rep and rattle his cage. The dealer you are working with is looking for wallet. The bad fuel allocation will not fly due to all the reasons you have stated.

I my warranty book, under 2.2 Cummins Diesel Engine Limited Warranty, the fuel injectors are listed under the parts covered. And don't forget that the towing costs are also covered.

There are a lot of mechanics and techs on this forum that would love to get $6000 to replace your injectors and flush the system.

 

Sounds like you are a candidate for what a lot of us do, jockybox.
Buy the factory service manuals (FSM) and learn how to work on it yourself.
I can buy a lot more parts on the cost of labor in this neighborhood. If I screw things up, I learned something and you can bet I never make expensive mistakes twice.
I start with the Haynes manual for the truck, and get the Cummins FSM for the year engine I have. Dana publishes all their axle information on the web (http://www2.dana.com/expert/wc.dll?c...%7E5%7EAXL%7E), and quite a few people around here will help you out with trobleshooting.

 

I have never heard of a truck dropping all 6 at once ether...usually they only replace 1 or 2 "bad" ones.....

 

I wouldn't give them a dime and tell them you are going to contact DC and your Lawyer!!! Besides these dealers saying injectors are $6000 what a crock of Sh##!!! You can contact Don M or any other injector company and get a reputable set of 90 Hp Sticks for around $1400. That was the quote my guy gave me and that was installed!!! This whole warranty crap and dealers are so shotty...

Shane

 

Oh yeah, and be forceful to start. You're out of wheels as it stands anyway, aren't you?
I don't know how courts work up there in Alberta, but down here in the lower 48 a dealer that tries to take you to the cleaners can wind up in small claims court fast, paying for all your expenses, including the rental car or bus fare, and damages. California has a few "lemon laws" dealing specifically with bad cars and shoddy repair work. Although I am not licensed to give advice on or practice law,
Don't let them get away with it!

 

I sympathize with you jockybox. I live in the oil rich Alberta too and they will try and gouge any money they can get their hands on . It also does not help with the very few experienced techs that work at dealerships anymore to get good quotes or work done sometimes. I had a clutch bearing replaced twice in my 2006 2500 in the first 10,000kms, which was all in the first month of ownership. Make sure you check your warrenty to see if it covers a rental truck, mine did, it was a lifesaver!!!