Jim Warman Posted November 26, 2010 Share Posted November 26, 2010 Here, in Canada at least, the warranty buffoons have been displaying their own personal brand of lunacy yet again. Effective some time nest year, some 6.0 items will drop off the prior approval required list - head gaskets and injectors are two that I remember.... however, FICMs and FICMs on the half shell will require prior approval. For my taste, this sounds like a day late and a dollar short... but WTF do I know? To the warranty juggalos... I can only say - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mchan68 Posted November 26, 2010 Share Posted November 26, 2010 But aren't most of the 6.0L trucks out of warranty by now? To me, I don't give a rat's ass anymore, because 9 out of 10 of them showing up my doorstep have been RETAIL. So all I can say is CHA-CHINGG$$$$!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Browning Posted November 26, 2010 Share Posted November 26, 2010 Timely post. It seemed that for some time the warranty kickbacks and claim reviews had died down. I recall some topics on this where we were holding out cyberspace torches up high at the warranty Nazis. Seems like it is ratcheting up again. I have had to "justify" a few repairs lately by explaining what was clearly written on the back of the RO's. I swear that some of these people are speed reading or something. Also, when you have to point out a specific page in the WSM to answer a question you know it's going to be an uphill battle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DieselD Posted November 28, 2010 Share Posted November 28, 2010 I still get lots of warranty on these. We sold ALOT of the diesel care ESP too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Saunoras Posted November 28, 2010 Share Posted November 28, 2010 yeah my 06 was out of powertrain recently, i bet that's why it was on the lot i've only seen one 6.0 with ESP come through. needed one damn injector on #4, wouldn't approve it because of no maintenance records. i've never had any problems with prior approval while under powertrain though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Browning Posted November 28, 2010 Share Posted November 28, 2010 wouldn't approve it because of no maintenance records I am not calling bullshit here but I had a bus this year that required 4 injectors that suffered from very low fuel pressure and clogged fuel filters... which I explicitly documented and the prior-approval "team" basically skated past that tid-bit of information. They completely fabricated their own diagnosis of an injector hanging open affecting the others on that bank... completely ignoring the fact that the combustion gas in the fuel rail test passed. The customer in all fairness had no right to a warranty repair. I am slowly becoming convinced that taking the time to properly test and document my findings is a waste of time and that the prior approval forms need only contain what "they" want to hear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshbuys Posted November 28, 2010 Share Posted November 28, 2010 I am slowly becoming convinced that taking the time to properly test and document my findings is a waste of time and that the prior approval forms need only contain what "they" want to hear. Agreed, but I feel so much better after diagnosing something properly and knowing that if they took it elsewhere, they would find the same thing, than if I were to just "shotgun" a repair!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deezul Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 We sold a crap load of 6.0's and esp plans. Anytime I attempt to replace anymore than two injectors they always put the claim on hold and tell us they are sending an adjuster, the adjuster never comes and I end up getting my approval for the injectors anyways, just a way to slow me down a day or two. It gets frustrating that's for sure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheldmann Posted December 3, 2010 Share Posted December 3, 2010 im starting to think most of the prior approval is done by a automated response or a robot. i can write a book explaing whats wrong and what i did to diag it with every peice of info posible and they will come up with some odd ball question. or i can write the bare minimum and get an approval right away. but its allot better than when we had to do the "real time diagnostics" and talk to some weirdo on the phone after waiting on hold for a half hour each time. but we have started seeing allot more trucks out of warranty now. 6 months ago i didnt even remember how to do a customer pay job, i was so use to diaging and fixing it right away i almost forgot about writing up an estimate and waiting for an approval. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Browning Posted December 3, 2010 Share Posted December 3, 2010 Oh wow, that reminds me. I need to fill out the prior approval for the truck I just fixed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DieselD Posted December 3, 2010 Share Posted December 3, 2010 Oh wow, that reminds me. I need to fill out the prior approval for the truck I just fixed. I call that my post approval and do it quite often if Im on a roll! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbriggs Posted December 4, 2010 Share Posted December 4, 2010 You know, as much of a pain in the butt as warrantee can be at times, I got a different perspective talking to an Indi tech that used to be a ford master tech where I work now. His thoughts; Warrantee never "cant afford" to repair his vehicle, Warrantee will not ask for a second opinion (or not beleive you), Warrantee will not ask you to use the cheapest jobber or used parts, At the end of a warrantee job the customer still has the feeling they got "something" for free, rather than shelling out a wad of money. Kinda gives you something to ponder........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Warman Posted December 4, 2010 Author Share Posted December 4, 2010 You know, as much of a pain in the butt as warrantee can be at times, I got a different perspective talking to an Indi tech that used to be a ford master tech where I work now. His thoughts; Warrantee never "cant afford" to repair his vehicle, Warrantee will not ask for a second opinion (or not beleive you), Warrantee will not ask you to use the cheapest jobber or used parts, At the end of a warrantee job the customer still has the feeling they got "something" for free, rather than shelling out a wad of money. Kinda gives you something to ponder........ From a different tech with extensive experience in independent shops... Warranty repairs is your customer setting your price. Warranty repairs is your customer insisting on quality Ford reman fuel injectors and other "FQR"s. Warranty will make you take pictures and wait for an adjuster (what was that about second opinion?) or even refuse to pay you for a repair if they feel you didn't cross one T or dot one i. Warranty is waiting for some desk jockey to give permission to replace a part. I don't want to be the devils advocate here (yeah... rrriiigghhhttt ) but some techs will be better off trying to be everyman in an independent setting (notice I said "try") and others will be better off trying to be specialists. I spent far too many years thinking "Jeez, I wish I knew how that worked" to deny the utility of WSMs. The first time I ever came across ESOF on a Super Duty I was left to scratch my head. There is no intuitive way to grasp the function of PVH hubs and an unfamiliar tech without decent documentation WILL misdiagnose the system. What working at a dealership DOES give you... Access to those special tools that usually make a task easier or less likely to damage parts. Access to documents (notice I didn't say 'easy' access) that help you diagnose and repair brand new, technologically advanced vehicles. Access to one of the best brand specific scan tools available. Talk about hi-jacking your own thread..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Browning Posted December 4, 2010 Share Posted December 4, 2010 You know, as much of a pain in the butt as warrantee can be at times, I got a different perspective talking to an Indi tech that used to be a ford master tech where I work now. His thoughts; Warrantee never "cant afford" to repair his vehicle, Warrantee will not ask for a second opinion (or not believe you), Warrantee will not ask you to use the cheapest jobber or used parts, At the end of a warrantee job the customer still has the feeling they got "something" for free, rather than shelling out a wad of money. Kinda gives you something to ponder........ The topic is PRIOR APPROVAL (on diesel repairs.) That would be from Ford Motor Company, NOT the customer. "Warranty" can't afford to make un-necessary repairs or over repair vehicles. Prior Approval WILL have you make the lowest cost effective repair often utilizing remanufactured parts. "Warranty" absolutely is PROVIDING a second opinion, they are not asking, they are INSISTING... otherwise we wouldn't have things like Technical Service Bulletins, Real Time Diagnostic Assistance, Prior Approval and ESP inspectors. Why is all this? Some may blame it on the product for which there is absolutely justified, but this situation is largely due to the fact that "techs" in the dealerships have made a bad situation worse by not properly diagnosing vehicles and making un-necessary repairs or over repairing vehicles by throwing as many parts on them as they think is going to fix them. The attitude that "warranty" can afford to fix trucks is evidence of a lack of ability and the willingness to do the job correctly and professionally. It is evidence of the "I don't give a shit anymore" attitude that plagues our profession and solidifies our reputation with the public and possibly Ford Motor Company. As long as this attitude continues so will the situation. It is unfortunate for the technicians who do their jobs correctly. It is unfortunate for the consumers who have to suffer through repeat repairs, extended downtime and increased expense of ownership. And speaking of the customers, I am SURE that for the most part aren't thinking that they are GETTING something for free as they would assuredly rather not have to be in a position where their truck needs to be repaired in the first place. I contend that your Ford Master tech turned Indie friend shares the blame for this as most of us all do. Chris, I don't know you and I am not judging you as I am replying your post and I am not sure if this is your own opinion or if you are simply sharing your friends thoughts on this. I do think that you need, we all need, to form our opinions and manage our careers based on our OWN perspective and not that of our Indie friends or the clowns in the bays next to us. We should be asking ourselves what kind of technician do I want to be? What do I need to do to be the best I can be? At the end of the day we should ask ourselves did I make the effort to do the right thing? Is my integrity in-tact? Can I be proud of myself? Can "Warranty" afford me? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Warman Posted December 4, 2010 Author Share Posted December 4, 2010 O M G !!!! You are starting to sound almost familiar... WWWWAAAAYYYYY back when.... there used to be a time when a reman or reconditioned part was NOT part of a warranty repair... It wasn't deemed "proper". And, to some extent, rightfully so. Today, most of us pray for a cost cap so we can replace an engine assembly.. without thinking that a new engine doesn't have +0.030 or - 0.020 associated to cylinder bore numbers or crank numbers. The customer bought a truck with a motor that could take at least one cylinder overbore.... and we hand him back a truck that can't.... Independent shops? Today I received this help request from iATN.... <Ygor from Connecticut writes: hey i'm posting here just to make sure about what this truck is doing,came on the hook with no forward and the owner complaint that the check engine light came on while he's trying to make the truck move.scanned and found codes p0720 and p0722 for the output speed sensor.i don't think that gonna make the truck stop going forward,i tried a new sensor just in case but same thing.if anybody had that experience before any help would be appreciated!!!i want to recommend the transmission but i want to make sure first.thanks everybody in advance...> This guy is allowed to vote and have children... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbriggs Posted December 6, 2010 Share Posted December 6, 2010 The guy that had said that left the dealer before I started here. I worked at 2 different indi shops (9 years) before coming to the dealer 6 years ago. I know him somewhat personally but have never worked with him. From what I have been told he and ford warrantee did not get along, he massively over-repaired everything, ( 4 ball joints and a short drag link on every s-d oil change)and had our dealer beyond warrantee audit, nearing the point of investigation. So he's probably not the guy to be quoting i guess. Sorry for the hi-jack. No its not my opinion, just an interesting thought vs the usual warrantee blues... My opinion may be slightly biassed as well after the loser retail customer i had last week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.