Contamintaed fuel...dealers way out
 

Okay here is a fine story for all to read. Two of my local friends have had their warranty cancelled on certain parts for two different trucks because the dealer said they were running contaminated fuel!

The first truck was an 06 - light mods such as straight exhaust and a intake(NO BOXES) he blew an injector they replaced the first one. Another different injector puked and the second time they told him -- contaminated fuel was the problem and they would not cover replacement. Here is the kicker--they cancelled warranty on the whole motor. Bought fuel from the same place 99% of the time as do all the other diesel guys around the area.
No one else I know of has had injector problems using this fuel. BTW this guy babies this truck so much that it makes me want to[yuk]

The second guy is medium modded -- 04.5 with exhaust, intake, Bully dog, VB,TQ con and propane. He actually had some issues with injectors before his mods that were covered under warranty. He then has a couple injectors puke and has some piston damage on number one -- after mods. He takes everything off goes back and they tell him same thing as the other guy -- contaminated fuel caused the problem, not covered under warranty and your motor warranty is cancelled. This guy works his truck, and pulls it some, but not serious.

Has anyone else been seeing this contaminated fuel excuse being used for an 'out' by the dealers?

A few thoughts...

So, what is the dealer basing the decision on? Did he have fuel samples analyzed? IF the filter is doing an adequate job, there should be no issue with fuel quality!

Tony

I had a conversation with a parts guy at one of my local dealers a couple weeks ago. He said the 06's have been having fits with fuel filter issues. Plugged filters left and right.

Man.... This crap is getting out of control! It's getting to the point where a guy needs to take his attorney and an independant certified mechanic with him to the dealership [laugh]

The first guy you describe may have a case in my opinion, but the second guy is out of luck and rightfully so. You can't heavily Mod your truck and then expect the dealer to bail you out when you break it.

Totallyrad, it is a shame that we're dealing with these fuel system issues. I spoke with my SM about doing an upgrade to the filtering system to help avoid these issues and was told that there are no issues and it would void my warranty :( They seem to have lost touch with the law, they still need to prove that the Mod caused the failure but they are just bullying their way through knowing that most people won't fight them. These guys are a bunch of bone heads in my opinion.

Question
 

I'm not clear on what an injector does and how contaminated fuel could do any more than clog it.
Isn't it just an electrical valve that allows or disallows fuel from the common rail?

This is probably the point. I asked the same questions and the dealer told both of them that this was their decision and if they did not like it, take it and fix the problem yourself. The 06 guy did fix his himself by just getting aftermarket injectors(dont know what kind) but his motor is now blacklisted for warranty.

The 04.5-- dont know what he is going to do yet but he actually wanted to see the proof of how they came to the conclusion of bad fuel. So far they have stonewalled him with no real evidence.

Several threads around here about injector issues with the new rigs. I guess there is even a filter recall of some sort. Fortunatly the rig was purchased spanken new (I assume) and I would seriously look into the Lemon Law in your state. Just the threat of the dealer having to eat your purchase may be enough to scare them straight. A call to DC in person is also a must.

Your friend is going to have to push hard with the dealer. If he budges at all they're just going to walk all over him. Maybe he should talk to the BBB about their dealership.

I don't believe a dealer can legally claim contaminated fuel, void the warranty, and then do nothing to show proof of contamination. This is not the first time I've read of dealers using the "contaminated fuel" excuse. Your friend(s) need to make them PROVE that there was contamination. If they cannot convincingly show proof of such, my advice would be that a lawyer should be the next step. Also, insisting that they pull more fuel out of the truck's tank and get it analyzed would be good. If not, and they're dishonest, there's no telling where the "dirty" fuel might come from. This is serious business-injectors get expensive quick.

I am not one for trying to hide stuff in order to make the Dealer pay for something I damaged, I believe in the old saying "You play, You Pay" But this bad fuel scenario just doesn't sit right with me.

As already stated a good fuel filter should protect the system from most hazards in the fuel, I think this is nothing more than a blatant attempt to refuse warranty work in an unjustly manner.

I guess this means that before you can take your truck in with injector issues you need to draw a fuel sample in front of a witness and have it tested by a lab and supplied with affidavits from all party's that everything is in order BEFORE the Dealer gets the truck.

Of course we all know that is rediculous and if it were me I would be contacting my Attorney.

What the. It's their fuel system, if it fails to be adequate how can that be the owners problem. The only contamination I can see would be chemical and that could be proved by drawing a sample from the fuel station and then it would be the fuel stations problem.

Contact DC...the heck with the dealer!

What you do is contact a lawyer and the local news paper or television station, one that has a consumer reporter, and let them know whats going on. That may stirl them up. Good luck!

I wonder if DC pays the dealers a bonus if they can void a warranty.

Pete

Using contaminated fuel as an excuse to void a warrenty is saying the owner inentionally contaminated their fuel[dummy] . Either that or the dealer is blaming the owner instead of whoever they bought the fuel from[nonono] . Neither of these scenarios sound plausable.

Are they too lazy to fix it or do they just want to screw us over for no reason[verymad] ? I was under the impression that dealers got paid more for warrenty work...