Jim Warman

That sounds good... 'cept them Yankees don't know when Thanksgiving really is.... /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif I was thinking about early July... between Canada Day and Independance Day... Seeing as my birthday is right in between there, we could celebrate it at the same time (notice I said "celebrate" and NOT "count").

But the diesel time broadcast still is...."curiouser and curiouser".... We can always fall back on rough run/white smoke/missing when cold....

Kieth... "take it under advisement"... might be a bad choice of words... When I take something "under advisement", it usually means that I have told the customer "Yes, that is ONE possibility...." and it only means I haven't discreditted the notion.... What you need is a nice fishing trip to a lake that features slough shark (oops, I meant Northern Pike), Perch, Pickerel and Whitefish (not far north is another lake with a lot of Ling in it).... In one town near there is a tall, good looking redhead. Follow him around for a day and see how many times he says "show me" to a tech.... One of the things management both hates and loves about me is that I wont start in the middle of a diagnosis... and it matters not how many hours we have in to the project already.... My momma didn't raise no fools (though I'm a little concerned about my sister).... At the same time I like to have a copy of the work the other shop performed in hand.. the more detailed the better.... I have found pierced wires, conncetors not seated, terminals pushed out, spread terminals... you name it.... all left behind by the other shop... all waiting to come back and bite me.... Something to consider.... if this customer has been a big fan of the "other" shop, bad mouthing them or discreditting them could have a negative impact on your relationship with the customer - even to the point that he wont deliver some pertinent information.... Most of my customers forgive my errors because of the relationship we build.... Other customers may forgive the "other" shop their mistakes.... and we can make ourselves look like asses in their eyes....

I've heard of it happening but have only seen one thus far... hot side tank.... F350 dually that tows too much of a gooseneck trailer (this is a "from what I could see".... not a local customer). Tank was replaced and the tech took it for a good drive.... MGP never went past 27PSI, IIRC.

Joey, I'm positive that there are a lot of techs out there that do hook up the IDS... but they receive the "no later flash...." message and leave it at that... They have no idea that they can reprogram just the FICM and that some PCM calibrations remained unchanged when the new FICM strategy was released... Not to hijack my own thread... but I have two apprentices that are on "autopilot"..... they have that "I don't need to know how it works, I only need to fix it..." mentality - not realizing the latter rarely comes without the former. And there are, I think, a lot of licenced (or otherwise "accreditted) techs that are in the same league... As for the diagnosis from another shop.... depending on the unit, the concern, the "other" shop and what they felt is the cause, I might discredit it or take it under advisement. But, when faced with one of those stinkers my flat rate techs might suffer from or my apprentices just can't pin down, I have learned to start back from the very beginning of the whole process.... even to the point of re-verifying the concern. I'm sure many of us here feel like I do.... we study the PPT step and decide exactly what it is they want us to check.... and we check <THAT> properly (with none of the hokey voltmeter on an open circuit crap - what engineer/technical writer came up with some of these test steps?)... be it a load test or a proper voltage drop test. Nice wheel bearing, by the way.... one has to wonder how something like that could escape another techs notice.. yet be so obvious... The devil is in the details.....

This is part of the deal, Kieth... spool stiction isn't going to happen in one direction only, it can happen in both directions... Something I'm considering... many owners are beginning to accept poor cold starts as "normal".... others just don't want a reflash (GAD, I went from 15.78945684 miles per gallon to 15.78945683 miles per gallon) for some oddball reason.... This poor running is adding to exhaust related problems (EGR, VGT). I had a customer yesterday... kept his truck overnight and found that the one thing he didn't complain about on the RO was the way this thing barely ran cold.... He was accepting this crap as "normal"....

Imagine finding a piston cooling jet... and when you get the pans off, all of them are alive and well and living in their rightful homes.....

This was my first thought, too, HGM.... Bad enough when you can't identify stuff clinging to a drain plug.... but when you have something in your hand and know it is supposed to be somewhere else.... The tech didn't check fuel pressure and, in spite of the screw head magically appearing after this many miles, the truck runs great... We did have some EGR/turbo issues with it about a year or so ago (cleaning IAT2 "seemed" to help with some nagging issues), but it's been performing well since. Two of us got a definite visual on every screw head, so we know that they are all where they belong.... except, perhaps, for the 17th screw.......... The only other really interesting discovery I've had is finding the broken tip off a T30 socket on a drain plug.

... the inductive heating flash, that is... The truck.... an 05ish 6.0.... The customer concern... transmission shifts really hard when cold. Kept the truck overnight and took it for a drive then next AM. This thing ran like a bag of crap... missing, farting, burping, dead pedal, you name it.... Once it had enough pedal response to back out of the line-up, I went for my drive.... picked up speed 10 km/h.... then up to 20.... finally up to 30..... I stifled a yawn as we finally passed through 40.... then 50.... 55....57....58... and then BANG - a long overdue 1-2 shift. The inductive heating flash cured this transmission concern... though I'm not sure why the customer didn't complain about the way the engine ran cold... This customer sent 10 other trucks our way for reflashing.... I'm sure that everyone is having great success with this new strategy, but are there any "miracle cure" stories to be shared? On a side note.... can anyone tell me why, when I flash a stick shift truck, why does the IDS reflash the TCM?

Well... we pulled both valve covers and could find a dmaned thing wrong.... didn't have to pull any injectors since a mirror worked well for looking for the screw heads.... The customer has peace of mind... the tech was whissed about "wasting time"... It took over 50,000 miles of oilpatch roads to get this thing from where-ever it "was" to the drain plug.... Still unanswered in my mind... how far do we need to go investigating assembly screw ups? How far SHOULD we go? All I can tell Ford and the warranty nazis is that happy customers are repeat customers..... I don't want them for 3/36..... I want them FOREVER!!!!!

An 05ish with about 90000 kms (a little over 50000 miles) getting an oil change at another shop.... Stuck to the drain plug magnet is the head of an injector screw. Not the spool valve screw... the head of the screw that holds the solenoid body to the injector barrel.... Just the head... looks almost like a thick washer (with a torX shaped hole). No injectors have ever been replaced on this truck..... Customer is in a lather... truck is running good.... What would you do?

"Back in the day".... this was how everything was done... steering boxes were repaired.... (sector shaft replacement, recirculating ball nut parts were available) you can still get the D7AZ-3E50?-? seal kits.. Similarly, generators (both DC and AC) were repaired , PS pumps, starters (brushes, bushings, machining the commutator).. you name it. These were all done in the shop by line techs...

The sad truth is that we (meaning us in the wilderness) mean little to the corporate entity... To build a truck for us would increase the selling price astronomically... something that would price any manufacturer right out of the market.... I once read that Canada accounts for about 10% of Fords global market.... The oilpatch would account for something akin to the dimple on the pimple on a fleas left nut, Hardly enough for the bean counters to get concerned over.... You, my friend, are a redheaded step child (as are the rest of us in Gods province).... We are to take what we get and that's that.... In the book "On A Clear Day, You Can See General Motors", John DeLorean quoted a top level GM exec. as saying "General Motors is NOT in the business of making cars.... It IS in the business of making money".... This applies to all marques and is something we all have to live with.... It's not about "built Ford tough".... at the same time, I usually hear "I've had my best LUCK with Ford trucks...". I see Daryl is offering "basic automatic trans..." - hopefully I will soon darken his doorstep for one last time....

And the really sad part is that, last time I checked, Ford insisted we remove both injectors and glow plugs for cylinder head R&R.... My guys don't....

All of the locked steering failures I've seen are on "patch" trucks.... The oil patch exacts a toll on trucks that many never get to see.... One mile on one of our "private" roads can be worth more than 10 on a public road. We have some companies that "mile their trucks out" at 80,000 kms (50,000 miles) because of the beating they take. Pity the poor sumbatch that picks one of these up at the auction....

There's a chance he's got "lock pin" (whatever that might be) and "torsion bar" mixed up.... There is a small torsion bar in the spool valve that is designed to offer "road feel" to the operator.... This torsion bar connects the input shaft of the box directly to the worm screw.... When the steering wheel deflection is enough to twist the bar, the spool valve will move. If this torsion bar breaks, power assist will be instantaneous and copious.... For my part, worn sector shaft bearings get warranty... no problems thus far.... Locked steering boxes make me push for CP... I've seen two with bent upper ball joint studs along with locked boxes.... We can see that "something" happened in these cases... I have never been given the opportunity to open a box and see what failed and how.... The question bears asking.... were the trucks of yesteryear overbuilt? Or are todays trucks pussified by the bean counters?

Same here.... about three with a "mysterious" lock up and at least two that locked up after getting intimate with a ditch. I've also seen a few with a loose sector shaft lower bearing... These can be difficult to detect but can be the cause of wander and steering wheel fight.... If you suspect one of these, place thumb and forefinger on each side of the pitman arm so that you are touching both arm and box.... Have an assistant rock the steering wheel ever so slightly and feel for side motion... Even a very small deflection can deliver quite a bit of "lost motion" and make the truck a chore to drive....

Nah, Brad... I'm jaded these days.... I'm beginning to wonder if the guys that call us "stealerships" might be riht more often than not.... Shrinking SLTs wont make a man want to put extra effort into something... and modern society sees more and more people doing "just enough to get by".... I babysit severl of them every day.... (but I'm told I'm not allowed to use that term anymore). I come from a different background than most and even when I do my absolute best, I agonize over whether it was good enough or not.... That's just me.... If you think I can criticize others harshly, you want to see me criticize myself.... (I'm sure the witch doctors... I mean shrinks... I mean psychiatrists would have a name for it... but I'm in denial, anyway) /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif Mechanics are like cooks, fat strippers and automobile drivers.... many do it that shouldn't.... There are shops that have a hard time finding customers for "today".... and there are shops backed up in retail work for two weeks.... That sends me a message. There are shops that need some sort of a "sale" to draw customers.... there are shops that only give deals to their best customers.... (or somebody that whines loud enough). Joey has folks that drive out of their way to visit the shop he is in.... THAT speaks volumes and is what we should strive for... We can be the techs his customers are trying to avoid.... or we can be the techs being sought out by those that want to avoid bad techs.

Back on the 28th I'd mentioned that we had a hydrolocked 6.0 in need of an EGR cooler.... Tech got the deed done and, after much cajoling, I convinced him to drain the oil pan, take out the GPs and bump the starter.... "With no oil?"... "what would be the difference between this and a cold start?".... Anyway... we finally nursed this thing to life... one of the more interesting ones that I've seen since the cylinders came "online" one at a time and after many starter cool downs. Tech ran the thing to operating temp, checked for leaks and went for a road test.... back almost immediately with a horrendous vibration coming on about 3K rpm.... WTF? Bent rod? Then came the realization that Bambi had his face planted firmly in the radiator at one point - sure enough, the water pump shaft is bent.... The question... how many bent rods has anyone seen on these due to hydrolocking? Does that itty-bitty starter have the low rpm grunt to hurt parts on a regular basis? I know there's got to have been times that most of us have gone into the back lot, keys in hand, not expecting that "whirrr... grunt" that has us find someone to drive the push truck.... I *may* have done it a time or six, myself....

To all..... The subject of individual customers is another complex one.... Good people handling skills is important, though mine consist of pushing techs and apprentices in the direction I think they need to go (the old give a man a fish or teach him to fish thingy)... I will no pretence at diplomacy or tact... I am bereft of either... We have our share of screamers and ranters.... sometimes, I only make them worse.... but I reach the point (just before the thermo-nuclear event) where I will say "Pardon me... I need a few minutes to cool down - I suggest you do the same". Other times, my version of "bafflegab" works.... Some people are cowed by acronyms and are almost afraid of big words.... in spite of my education, I am the company thesaurus and dictionary... learn some big words and use them when needed... the more offbeat, the better... sorry I can't cite examples right now... I'm having writers block(head) or something... These little things are simply what spills out of my mouth when I open it with no forethought. In the past, I did things that gave me a "community presence", I guess... many years on the fire department, I never missed the opportunity to interact with the public (something I enjoyed rather than had any ulterior motives). Our town is now about 7000 or so people.... somehow, people know my name... and there are times that simply having me walk into the service office with that bold "JIM" on my tit calms a lot of people down..... Disclaimer.... I don't know if this is because I am respected or because I can deal shit with the best of them.... Be straightforward with customers... Sometimes, all it takes to appease them is an idea of when their truck will be ready... for Gods sake, add fudge factor!!!! I was as happy as a pig in poop when I finally sold out my business (for peanuts) and started at an independant.... No more customers to deal with.... My next position turned me into some kind of manager.... no real job description, I kept the computer network running, I sold parts, I worked on absolute trashed vehicles doing just enough for them to go an extra few miles. And now I am dealing with customers bigtime.... aboriginals, no less.... And now, here I am... being given the worst customers of the worst... after all else fails, I settle on a course of action that I know we can fulfill in our alloted time... I explain it as best I can to the customer and they agree to the terms (albeit, grudgingly at times).... Unfortunately, this is where a lot of my OT comes from..... But the idea is and always will be that first, people remember your store as being the one that gave them service that they *can't find fault with*.... and, second and most important, that people associate your face with the fact that the store satisfied their needs.... Steve.... I can appreciate your position.... If you are a line tech, simply let him know that you aren't allowed to look at anything unless the front desk tells you to. If he persists... a little showmanship and a couple of minutes saying the right things will have him making an appointment or talking to the shop foreman.... Bringing us to another point..... On another venue, some techs hold shop "foreskins" in very low esteem.... My predecessor was such a man.... His days were spent drinking coffee and trying to come up with ways to extract more coin of the realm from the DP.... He finally threatened to quit once too often (I'd had several conversations with the DP) and I was offered the job.... even though I told him I couldn't drink that much coffee... But, the big deal is that every circumstance is an opportunity. It is very important to be a "team player".... Did I mention that my basic job description is "take one for the team"?.... Someone has to do it... be the man... don't complain... but be sure people recognize the face. Every rose has it's throns.... to make an omelet you have to break a few eggs..... nobody promised me a rose garden.... be sure the foot you're pissing on today isn't attached to the ass you need to kiss tomorrow.... and treat people they way you would expect them to treat you. FWIW, I have more than a few guys that stare at their time cards/pay stubs for hours on end... the almighty dollar is ruling their lives - for bad or for good.... When I was strictly on the bench (flat rate), their pay never looked much different from mine (we all "long cocked" each other). I feel that if we look after our careers first, the dollars will begin to look after themselves... but you have to put yourself in demand first... Owwww, my head is starting to hurt.... It ain't rocket science... but we need to look at the big picture.... Yes... be worried about next periods paycheque.... but not to the point where you will miss out in 10 years or so. You can maximize your next pay.... or you can squander some of that on maximizing your career.... With the number of hacks and idiots I am seeing (or the results of their efforts), this should work for most.... Kieth... I sent you a PM a few days ago.... a point to ponder.

Post deleted by Keith Browning, Server issues caused Jim to submit the same post three times. Sorry bout that, I have no control over the server's performanace. /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/blush.gif

<SIGH>.... oh, the cost of being held in high esteem by one or more customers.... "Gawd, how I wish my customers thought I was a useless dork incapable of fixing a wheelbarrow". Let's take a hard stare at this.... The "relationship" will start with a simple conversation... customer asks some questions, you give some answers... your answers are honest.... you say there might be further diag required.... you treat the customer like a real person.... you are "affable" (this is short of friendly). and pleasant to talk to.... You sound like you are genuinely interested in the customers concerns, you answer the customers questions in plain English and take the time to watch his face and explain things that appear to give him difficulty.... You are knowledgeable in your area of expertise.... you try to find the answers that you cannot give.... I want you in my store..... I have a very large customer following.... These people aren't "stalkers", they aren't looking for a "free ride", they only expect my very best efforts..... They feel comfortable talking to me.... I refuse to BS them and I refuse to "candy coat" anything.... I pay attention to their financial situation and I do it "delicately". BUT.... these people are a badge I can wear.... I've made a real cock-up or four in my life... and these are forgiven because I do a group of things.... Relate to your customer... he pays your wages. Interact with your customer.... for many, their vehicle is the biggest investment they will make in their whole life. You can be the person they relate to - they look up to - they trust. Don't do anything to your customer you wouldn't want done to you... right down to leaving a cross threaded bolt or a misrouted harness. The SHOCKER.... these people are willing to pay good money (read that as FAIR MARKET VALUE) for your efforts.... You wont be haggling price... you wont be nitpicking.... you may have to prioritize repairs as finances allow..... I can't believe that some of my other posts have gone unheeded.... You WANT to be popular... You WANT to be asked for.... You WANT to be apart from the crowd.... I $$$ have $$$ no $$$ idea $$$ why $$$ you $$$ would $$$ want $$$ to $$$ be $$$ the $$$ best $$$ at $$$ what $$$ you $$$ do.... Forget the "mechanic" crap and treat this like a "doctor/patient" thing.... use your new stature to your advantage and the rewards will follow.... FWIW... a good deal of my time is spent "putting out fires"... These fires are set, predominantly, by those that will only do "enough to get paid".....

I don't think it was that kind of "high horse" he meant, Kieth... and don't you talk about my leather pants with no bum like that.... /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif Now here's a picture... imagine me, wearing my thong backwards and my chaps.... nothing else... and singing "YMCA"....

Naw... I'm just jerkin' everyones chain... Canadian techs are the "redheaded step children" that Ford doesn't really want to admit to.... We still get the odd perk but usually nothing spectacular... And, true to form, the Revenue Canada considers most of these freebies as a taxable benefit... A "free" jacket worth $200 would cost me about $50 at years end... Enjoy the perks when you get 'em (but not too much /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif ).

But, if the customer just happens to own about 40 or 50 superduties...... Some pay periods my billable hours don't cover even just my OT bill.... God forbid that this should ever become an issue....