Keith Browning

Kevin, has it improved you mileage? I have a 2001 Explorer with the 5.0 HO in it and would love to boost my 15 MPG. the link you gave us looks to be the cheapest route but it looks to me like all they are selling is access to an on line books... no actual kits? Maybe I need to reread the site. How did you build your HHO Generator?

Care to elaborate? /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

That is not called deletion Jim. It's censorship and it is just another example of how Ford controls information to their liking.

This is interesting. http://runacaronwater.synthasite.com/index.php

Funny thing about those FMCDealer Message Board, once you submit your post it is final, no editing, no retractions or deletions.

I know that's only a $20 tool but I have used a door/trim retainer removal tool - works equally well. Over the years our's has gotten bent up and beat up but it still works.

You fellers do realize he is a member here right? So in the event that he honestly did not intend to insult or "poke the bear" so to speak I would prefer that he not be made to feel unwelcome. Speak your minds if you want to I totally respect everyones right to an opinion and the right to express it but, wasn't this about Verify60? /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/shrug.gif Now that is funny! /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/rofl.gif

Never said I was pissed, just dont understand the one particular comment and what it had to do with the topic.

Well, maybe he will login here and explain it a little further. Like I said, blow it off. It doesn't deserve any more attention. Hey, if we could connect our minds and network them then we would easily know what is wrong with these trucks and if our mind power is strong enough we could just will them fixed with some Borg-like force.

Yes, go through Rotunda directly as Bruce said. I looked on the RTTP web site (technician Toll store) and the VCM kits are on backorder again according to the listing. I would call Rotunda and get the info from them.

I am on vacation right now so I am not able to speak with my warranty clerk as to whether or not she knew about it or my service manager for that matter. He typically ops out repair orders to the minimum because Ford Motor Company has bullied him into watching the numbers. I think THAT pisses me off the most because that mode of thinking affects EVERYONE in the shop across all types of vehicles and repairs. On top of that, about a year ago we took a CASHIER and set her behind a desk to op out tickets. /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/icon_crazy.gif So whether or not the people who needed to know about this were informed or not, the use of the labor op was also being suppressed as I am reading about this. As usual, this in not only about who saw the memo.

No, I don't boot people for silly things and Chris made a good point about reading what is posted everyday. I now read all those communications on the front page, then I bring up the Broadcast messasges. Do you think it was harsh? Or was it truthful? I do agree that the comment about spending time creating this website was not necessary and finding and sharing information is what this is all about. Since then I have been on a mission to gather information from anywhere I can find it. I do recall sending him an EOT sensor connector he was desperate for... I guess that is the respect I get for being helpful. This is why I rarely post there anymore. Enough said, I am letting this roll off my back. Maybe he will login and say hello.

Yes. /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/crybaby2.gif And I believe I need to be extra cautious. /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/whistle.gif

Okay, I started shit on the American Boards because apparently nobody else is bringing it up Here is what I wrote, and I kept it low key as not to ask for trouble, I just want to get the topic out there for now and see what develops. Any bets it gets deleted?

Here is the tool list - Sorry, the chart lost the formating but it is still easy to read... IDS Diagnostic Tool Price and Description Part Number Price Description 164-R9500 $ 9,999.00 IDS Advanced Pkg. (includes VMM(164-R9508), VCM/IDS(164-R9505), Panasonic Toughbook(164-R9509)) 164-R9501 $ 6,199.00 IDS Standard Pkg. (includes:VCM/IDS(164-R9505), Panasonic Toughbook(164-R9509)) 164-R9502 $ 8,399.00 IDS Value Pkg. (includes: VMM(164-R9508), VCM to Laptop Cable(164-R9503), Panasonic Toughbook(164-R9509)) 164-R9503 $ 195.00 VCM to Laptop Cable 164-R9504 $ 100.00 DVD Media Updates for the Vehicle Communication Module (IDS or PDS) 164-R9505 $ 2,399.00 Vehicle Communication Module IDS/VCM Kit w/web updates 164-R9506 $ 6,898.00 IDS Canadian Kit #1 (includes: VMM (164-R9508), VCM/IDS (164-R9505) 164-R9507 $ 4,894.00 IDS Canadian Kit #2 (includes: VMM (164-R9508), VCM to Laptop Cable (164-R9503) 164-R9508 $ 4,649.00 Vehicle Measurement Module VMM Kit 164-R9509 $ 3,850.00 Panasonic Toughbook Laptop (includes: external DVD drive and 3 year Panasonic "Protection Plus" warranty) 164-R9521 $ 3,175.00 Replacement Vehicle Measurement Module Only (Needs Ford Rotunda Diagnostic Mgr. Approval to sell) 164-R9522 $ 90.00 VMM Battery Cable 164-R9523 $ 120.00 VMM Red Probe 164-R9524 $ 98.00 VMM Black Probe 164-R9525 $ 100.00 VMM Probe Tip Adaptor Kit #1 164-R9526 $ 158.00 VMM Probe Tip Adaptor Kit #2 164-R9527 $ 150.00 VMM Secondary Ignition Transducer Cable Set 164-R9528 $ 188.00 VMM Secondary Ignition Transducer Clip Set 164-R9529 $ 158.00 VMM Coil on Plug Clip #1 164-R9530 $ 442.00 VMM 50 AMP Current Probe 164-R9531 $ 442.00 VMM 500 AMP Current Probe 164-R9532 $ 495.00 VMM Pressure & Vacuum Transducer 164-R9533 $ 285.00 VMM Pressure & Vacuum Adaptor Kit 164-R9534 $ 110.00 VMM Transmission Extension Kit 164-R9535 $ 45.00 VMM Self-Test Adaptor (Port C) 164-R9536 $ 120.00 IDS/Laptop to Vehicle Data Recorder (VDR) Adaptor Kit 164-R9537 $ 65.00 VMM Fuel Injector Test Adapter (inactive-same as 164-R9537) 164-R9545 $ 125.00 DVD Drive for Panasonic Laptop 164-R9547 $ 65.00 VMM Fuel Injector Test Adapter 164-R9549 $ 50.00 VCM DVD Media Updates for 1 Year 164-R9550 $ 350.00 VCM 1 Year Software Subscription for Dealer 164-R9553 $ 700.00 VCM 2 Year Software Subscription for Dealer

Since when do Rotunda tools come at cost or list? I thought they were all one price for everybody. Overpriced. And you cant buy a new IDS or any part there-of anywhere else except the computer... but you knew that.

I want to say yes but it doesn't bother all that much that they used my pictures... after all, I publish this web site to share information... soooo... I just would have liked to have been contacted thats all. Now, from the beginning I have made every effort to try to not use any of Ford's stuff and you will note that I typically reference pertinent documents or materials. I have used some of the Power Point presentations but those are not protected documents, nor is the filter comparison video. All of this stuff is available in the Media Kit pages. So with that said, I will be making it available to make the presentation available to all of our visitors because the information it contains is awesome and very important. I doubt very much that Ford or Blue Diamond Truck will have much objection to me running what essentially is a three minute advertisement for Motorcraft filters. What is even better is that I have a program that converts media files to a Flash presentation making it easy to embed into a web page AND it is a very small file size so I dint even need to use my streaming media server.

I will be updating the site for June... and in perusing the media kit I stumbled upon TWO DPF presentations where Ford has used MY photographs taken from MY original articles. So I have no problem posting the video here on the DTS web site... in streaming media in full resolution. I dint mind them using my photos, but someone could have asked.

Maybe if we all piss and moan every time we call... I think it may be more likely that Ford is ratcheting up on tightening down on costs even more. In all honesty I almost cant blame them but it is becoming almost unbearable to work like this with the constant changes, prior-approvals and phone calls. Oh, hey guys? Don't forget to fill our the HotLine surveys. That is one place your voices will be heard... /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smirk.gif

We slowed down earlier in the year but I never quite ran out of wok on any given day... well, close on a handful of days but not like some dealers around my area of NJ. I hear stories of shops having very little work with guys standing around by 10-o-clock! I had another problem with not having enough techs to get the work out the door so we deferred many to another dealer and probably pissed some off because their trucks took to long to get turned around. All in all, work is slowly picking back up and my truck team is running over 100% efficiency/productivity at the moment. I have another apprentice starting June 2nd when I return from vacation.

/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/rofl.gif Usually Jim whacks us with the unusual verbage hence the link to dictionary.com in the resources menu /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/hahaha.gif co-nun-drum -noun 1. a riddle, the answer to which involves a pun or play on words, as What is black and white and read all over? A newspaper. 2. anything that puzzles

Well then how are you supposed to service their product? My dealer has a lot of Roush cars and even two stage two F150 4X4's and one of those Nightmare F150s. Some have been sitting in the lot for well over a year. We haven't had any engine or performance issues with the ones we have sold. Maybe you should ship the vehicle to Roush for service and charge them for the shipping. /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif I would be livid if they gave me piss poor support. Maybe Jack considers sharing fuel trim information "intellectual espionage."

Just for giggles I signed up on actautostaffing.com just to see if I get any bites. I am not looking to move but I am interested in what is out there and who might be interested. Anybody ever use one of these web sites? I know my manager has in looking for technicians.

Speaking of kids... am I the only lucky guy who married a broad that SPEEDS UP for those big ass speed bumps in residential areas intended to slow people down near schools and such? ...so that our little monsters sitting in the third row of our Freestyle can go "WHEEEE!" /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/rotz.gif All three of them are lucky I have a sense of humor... especially the big one! /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif

James the fact that I didn't know about it is what gets me and now I hear that it was not a published labor operation? So what was the point in making it available in the first place? This is the kind of thing that enrages most technicians. We understand that the factory times are tough to begin with but with all of the changes, TSBs and TSB revisions to find out now that a labor operation that many of us didn't know about existed feels like a kick in the rear. An extra 6 tenths of an hour would make taking the extra time to ensure the trucks were getting repaired properly worthwhile. Ford expects us to be competent, fulfill all of the training requirements and repair their product efficiently and thoroughly - is it too much to ask that we get a little consistency in how we are compensated? Technician pay has been described as a "game" by many and do you know what? I am starting to feel like a mouse... where is my cheese?