Dealer installing parts but problem still remains...what would you do?
My oil temp was getting up to around 250 degrees and my water temp was getting near the red. Did a search on the board and found a simular issue with the oil sensor in the bottom of the oil pan. So I took the beast to my local dealer for an oil change and explained the problem and told the to check the oil sensor. They check it out and told me it was the pusher fan or electronic fan, so I told them to fix it. The next day they called me and told me the problem still was not corrected and now the problem was with the fan clutch, so I told them to fix it. They called me and told me the beast was fixed, I want to pick it up and paid them $1,300. Drive about 5 miles and both temp were up and the problem was not fixed. I brought her back and once again suggested that they look at the sensor. Now 5 days later the beast is still in the shop.
My question is, should I have to pay for parts when the dealer is not able to identify the problem? What would you do?
Last edited by CMBeamerM5; 10th July 2009 at 23:15.
I would tell them you will cover the parts but not there labor. They should make it right if they miss diagnosed your vehicle. Although... stealers seldom make anything right.
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Brembo BBK on the shelf ready for install...
They did not replace the sensor nor have they identify that the sensor is the problem. I just suggested that they check the sensor because that was the fix for a simular problem that someone has on this board.
Is this Hendrick? Ouch. For $1300, instead of a new stock fan and fan clutch, you could have had a new Zionsville radiator set up. I'd tell them to stop throwing parts at it and diagnose/fix the problem.
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Yes, ECB...it is Hendrick. They have always done a great job and they have serviced my BMW's for more than 10 years now. I still feel they will do the right thing, but I don't feel I should have to pay for parts that have not corrected the problem. If not, I will start to look of a good indy here in Charlotte.
Last edited by CMBeamerM5; 11th July 2009 at 00:05.
Yes, ECB...it is Hendrick. They have always done a great job and they have serviced my BMW's for more than 10 years now. I still feel they will do the right thing, but I don't feel I should have to pay for parts that have not corrected the problem. If not, I will start to look of a good indy here in Charlotte.
They are the pros and they misdiagnosed (unless you believe all those parts were also bad).If you don't have an agreement quickly about how to handle it, I would contest the credit card charge. It will get their attention.
And then as mentioned by churious, you can agree to pick up the parts for the things that didn't help (which is still generous, but reasonable).
BTW, most states require a signed off work order for the dealer to get paid. Never sign a blank estimate. Don't know what the rules are in your state.
Good luck getting it sorted.
Regards,
Jerry
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I would guess your water cooling system doesn't have pressure - replace rad cap. Or your thermostat is stuck partially or fully closed - replace thermostat. Third possibility is the water pump is dead.
If both Oil temp and water temp climbing, it isn't a sensor because the chances of two seperate sensors failing at once is low. So the conclusion is the problem is cooling system.
As for the Fan's... one fan is enough to cool the engine. So again, the chances of both fans dying at the same time is pretty slim.
I would present these arguments to the SA or the manager and ask for a refund and re-diagnosis of the problem... really bad service.
Andrew
Last edited by android604; 11th July 2009 at 01:55.
Its hard to diagnose without more information. Is the car indeed overheating or is it showing it is? I would have reasons to believe the oil temp and coolant temperature to be unrelated, but it seems a little to convienent. Maybe your Thermostat is toast!
Im not sure if these things have internal oil coolers, I know on 05 Pathfinders a common issue is the tranny cooler to leak and because its internal it leaks eitehr into the radiator or the coolant leaks into the tranny. Both of which is not a good mix.
Working at a dealership, if we mis-diagnose the problem we will either
A). Charge for parts only that were replaced because of the mis-diagnose
B). Remove the parts at the company cost and install the old part.
Its the only right thing to do, why should the customer be held responsible for the technicians lack of diagnosing skills? If he properly invesitaged the issue, and tested the old part to verify it was indeed not in working order, really there should be very little mis-diagnosing. Personally for any car that has an over heating complaint, check to see if theres coolant in there, if there is, check the thermostat. Some are fail-safe meaning they stay open, some fail in the closed position. Yours sounds like it could be a thermostat issue, because it normally takes about 5 minutes to fully warm up, right when the thermostat should be opening, perhaps the coolant temp is getting that high, the oil temp is soaring up because of it!
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1. I am VERY specific at what I have the SA write in the "Complaint" on the work order. They usually employ vague language, I like to be more specific.
2. When I sign a work order I add "No verbal approvals permitted, written approval required- fax to xxx-xxxx".
3. Then, when they call you and give you the old "well, we've got bad news" you can discuss it, then say 'fax me the document to approve the increase." At this point, one can then add "Approval only valid if work fixes reported complaint" onto the page, sign it and fax back. What will they say? "No, we won't do the work under those conditions"? ...proceed from there.
At the end of the day, all the verbal discussions with the dealer are worthless- in court, or with the dealership management, or with BMWNA, the written documents will prevail. I make sure **I** control what goes onto the docs.
Unless the SA is a bud....
A
Last edited by ard; 11th July 2009 at 20:10.
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