Sorry for the rant but for the love of God, I've had enough.

My o3, 2500 overheated. We're out in the country so the first thing is to try the easy stuff. In this case, thermostat. That didn't help so I had it towed in as It's the only registered vehicle I have and I needed it fixed as quick as possible. " No problem we'll look at it and call you as soon as we find the problem." Three days later I call THEM. "No ones answering, I'll get them to call you right back though". I call THEM AGAIN, the next morning. I'm told my fan clutch is shot, they have the part in stock and they can get right on it. This started Monday, I'm now getting a call late Friday. Still overheating, they think it's the head gaskets from the overheating. Okay I get that. But here's my first b*%^h. I didn't notice the gauge but I did see the "check guages" light the moment it came on and immediately saw the heat guage and pulled over. The guage started going back down right away. That light should have said " TOO LATE ". I mean what's the point of having a light that comes on after the damage is done?

Anyway loooonnnng story short, they've had the truck for 3 weeks now. Yesterday I called yet again to see what was up and I was informed they were just finishing up and would call me in the morning. Yah, I called them a half hour before closing to find out why no call. The guy says he "just" finished talking to the tech. Now it won't run when you take your foot off the gas. I informed him the truck had never had any problems when they got it. I reminded him it ran perfect when they got it except for the overheating. Of course they're closed for the weekend and can't work on it till Monday. I'm so pissed I can't even think straight. Can't wait for Monday, or Tuesday, or Boxing day, whatever.

 

sounds like fun, been there before.
This is why I've sworn off ever taking a vehicle in whenever possible

 

Sounds to me like "they" are useless. I'da had my truck out of there long before now...

 

But what do you do? Tell em, put it back together so I can have it towed where? I figured the dealership should be the most efficient place to have it repaired. Now I know that's wrong. The dam things are built so the average Joe (that's me) can't do most of the work anymore.

 

it's not as bad as you'd think really. I rebuilt my motor with about $250~ in tools that weren't just standard sockets, ratchets, etc, and I've only been working on vehicles for 2 years essentially (since I got my license). New trucks are harder to work on, but now we also have the internet to help!

 

Train,
What engine do you have?

 

5.7 Hemi with just over 100,000 kilometers.

 

Well here we are into week FOUR !! Just got off the phone after I called them again. They've got it running but now, when you have your foot on the gas it still gets hot but as soon as you let it coast, it cools down. Good news though. He's put the shop foreman on it. I feel like royalty now. He's going to call me tomorrow and let me know what's up. Yah sure.

 

Sounds like a normal dealership to me.

As for the overheating and head gaskets, sounds right to me. That will happen but I think you know that already.

As for the lights on the dash, I remember growing up my dad would always tell me to watch the gauges because by the time the idiot lights came on it would be to late. He literally called them idiot lights.

At least you are getting it back up and running. Really SUCKS it takes them a month though.

 

Just got a call from THEM. Near as I can tell, up until yesterday they had some kid from a grade 11 shop class working on my truck. Once they put the shop foreman on the truck all the answers magically appeared overnight. Since the beginning they've flushed the entire system, replaced the fan clutch, the water pump, the radiator, the head gaskets, and had the heads machined. They've graciously swallowed a bunch of labor. I've explained that if I'm halfway home and something goes wrong, I'll be the guy they talk about for the next 50 years.

So now let's discuss this. I took it into the dealer thinking they're the experts and the job would get done quick. Well they've had the truck for a month so obviously that was the wrong conclusion. Now I'm not a mechanic ( sorry, technician ) but I'm not afraid to try anything but I don't know much about engines, especially all the new stuff. My initial thoughts were, thermostat, which I tried, water pump and then who knows. Do you think I could have trouble shot this stuff using the internet ? For instance I knew the head gaskets would be suspect but I wouldn't know what to look for. Same as the heads. What would I have to have done to know they needed work?

I really don't want to have to rely on the dealer next time. The money's one thing but the time and inconvenience is another.