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Looking for Opinion...Car dealer ripoff?

 
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 38074948
United States
08/14/2022 10:25 AM
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Looking for Opinion...Car dealer ripoff?
I know in the scheme of things, this is a small deal but it really pisses me off to the point I am considering a smal claims filing which will waste more of my time.

Looking for opinions if I should pursue or not.

Took my 2014 Jeep to a jeep dealer because it was blowing hot air when A/C was on. Told the service desk exactly that.

Response: Oh, you need a freon recharge. $250.

I agreed and left the vehicle.

Dealer called me in the afternoon and said well, it wasn't the freon it is the air mixing box (or something in the dash was stuck open)

They quoted $3,000 to repair lol.

I told them not interested...Jeep has 175 K miles.

Went to pick up and there was a $250 charge for freon. Same cost as quoted to fix the problem...but the problem wasn't fixed. Small detail.

You can fill in the blanks what I thought of the charge. I told them they could take the freon out to offset their loss on the deal. She said $250 was a reasonable diagnostic cost since I now knew what the problem is. I had some other work done which was $400 so they didn't lose any money on the deal at $115/hr shop rate.

The small claims suit would be $250 plus $150 in court fees and service and $150 for wasting my time.

Should I file?
MrBlonde

User ID: 82363968
United States
08/14/2022 10:30 AM

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Re: Looking for Opinion...Car dealer ripoff?
I doubt you would get anywhere with it. But what’s your time worth to you would be my first question.
Anonymous Coward (OP)
User ID: 38074948
United States
08/14/2022 10:35 AM
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Re: Looking for Opinion...Car dealer ripoff?
I doubt you would get anywhere with it. But what’s your time worth to you would be my first question.
 Quoting: MrBlonde


Can't justify on that metric...but I can imagine this happens at dealers all the time and no one pushes back.

If they had said it MIGHT be the freon or it will cost $250 to find out I would have made a decision based on that. The fact they quoted to fix a problem then didn't and charged me the same anyway doesn't sit well.

As far as small claims, its simple and you get the ruling right away. Not a huge deal in terms of work as its all laid out in emails between anyway
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 78362828
08/14/2022 10:44 AM
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Re: Looking for Opinion...Car dealer ripoff?
Boy, if you knew how easy it is to do it yourself you will be even more pissed.

Let it go man, save yourself $250 in grief.
Riverrat23

User ID: 80164257
United States
08/14/2022 10:45 AM
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Re: Looking for Opinion...Car dealer ripoff?
Yes it does happen all the time, and always will. Pick your battles.
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 82947369
United States
08/14/2022 10:47 AM
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Re: Looking for Opinion...Car dealer ripoff?
Yea bullshit.
You went in and said it just needed a recharge so they did that only to find out the A/C system was fucked and they gave you an estimate for that.
Anonymous Coward (OP)
User ID: 38074948
United States
08/14/2022 12:36 PM
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Re: Looking for Opinion...Car dealer ripoff?
Yea bullshit.
You went in and said it just needed a recharge so they did that only to find out the A/C system was fucked and they gave you an estimate for that.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 82947369


Read much?

I told them A/C was blowing hot air. THEY said it needed a freon recharge. Not me.

Derp
Rickjamesbiaatch

User ID: 77070219
Belgium
08/14/2022 12:43 PM

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Re: Looking for Opinion...Car dealer ripoff?
Yea bullshit.
You went in and said it just needed a recharge so they did that only to find out the A/C system was fucked and they gave you an estimate for that.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 82947369


Read much?

I told them A/C was blowing hot air. THEY said it needed a freon recharge. Not me.

Derp
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 38074948


Diagnosis of a/c system requires validation of correct amount of refrigerant. You suck it out, which is measured, then the system is vacuumed. Replacement of correct amount of refrigerant is final step to validate system component failure.
You have a valid diagnosis. Take the vehicle to a quality repair shop and it should cost a fair bit less to repair.
BTW, our refrigerant went up by about 4 times this year.
Good luck.
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 81085763
United States
08/14/2022 12:46 PM
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Re: Looking for Opinion...Car dealer ripoff?
Boy, if you knew how easy it is to do it yourself you will be even more pissed.

Let it go man, save yourself $250 in grief.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 78362828


Isn't it amazing how much people pay not to be bothered to learn the basics of auto repair?
Blizzard Lizzard

User ID: 53786526
United States
08/14/2022 01:03 PM
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Re: Looking for Opinion...Car dealer ripoff?
I put my own Freon in for less than $20.
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 81101408
United States
08/14/2022 01:03 PM
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Re: Looking for Opinion...Car dealer ripoff?
Don't take your vehicle to a dealership for repairs, first and foremost
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 80701872
United States
08/14/2022 01:08 PM
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Re: Looking for Opinion...Car dealer ripoff?
I know in the scheme of things, this is a small deal but it really pisses me off to the point I am considering a smal claims filing which will waste more of my time.

Looking for opinions if I should pursue or not.

Took my 2014 Jeep to a jeep dealer because it was blowing hot air when A/C was on. Told the service desk exactly that.

Response: Oh, you need a freon recharge. $250.

I agreed and left the vehicle.

Dealer called me in the afternoon and said well, it wasn't the freon it is the air mixing box (or something in the dash was stuck open)

They quoted $3,000 to repair lol.

I told them not interested...Jeep has 175 K miles.

Went to pick up and there was a $250 charge for freon. Same cost as quoted to fix the problem...but the problem wasn't fixed. Small detail.

You can fill in the blanks what I thought of the charge. I told them they could take the freon out to offset their loss on the deal. She said $250 was a reasonable diagnostic cost since I now knew what the problem is. I had some other work done which was $400 so they didn't lose any money on the deal at $115/hr shop rate.

The small claims suit would be $250 plus $150 in court fees and service and $150 for wasting my time.

Should I file?
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 38074948


Lawsuit for $250
cruise

CHUMP CHANGE
Mr Breeze

User ID: 4897656
United States
08/14/2022 01:11 PM
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Re: Looking for Opinion...Car dealer ripoff?
Fair price at dealer, minimum diagnostic charge is one hour labor , there’s half, and Freon is expensive, there’s the other half. Should the Freon had fixed it, you would should have been tickled it was only $250. Worth the shot if you are not handy w autos.
Mr Breeze
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 40639337
United States
08/14/2022 01:12 PM
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Re: Looking for Opinion...Car dealer ripoff?
Only have a case of they didn't recharge the freon imo. Both the freon and the mixing box may have been bad. Now it's just the mixing box. Mechanics get a lot of guff but they have a business to run complete with insurance, rent, taxes, and customers wanting labor for free.
Anonymous Coward (OP)
User ID: 38074948
United States
08/14/2022 01:21 PM
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Re: Looking for Opinion...Car dealer ripoff?
Yea bullshit.
You went in and said it just needed a recharge so they did that only to find out the A/C system was fucked and they gave you an estimate for that.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 82947369


Read much?

I told them A/C was blowing hot air. THEY said it needed a freon recharge. Not me.

Derp
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 38074948


Diagnosis of a/c system requires validation of correct amount of refrigerant. You suck it out, which is measured, then the system is vacuumed. Replacement of correct amount of refrigerant is final step to validate system component failure.
You have a valid diagnosis. Take the vehicle to a quality repair shop and it should cost a fair bit less to repair.
BTW, our refrigerant went up by about 4 times this year.
Good luck.
 Quoting: Rickjamesbiaatch


I understand...but I didn't pay for a diagnosis, I paid to get it fixed. If they had told me it would cost $250 to diagnose, I probably would have passed since the vehicle has so many miles already.

Thanks for your opinion tho
Anonymous Coward (OP)
User ID: 38074948
United States
08/14/2022 01:23 PM
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Re: Looking for Opinion...Car dealer ripoff?
I know in the scheme of things, this is a small deal but it really pisses me off to the point I am considering a smal claims filing which will waste more of my time.

Looking for opinions if I should pursue or not.

Took my 2014 Jeep to a jeep dealer because it was blowing hot air when A/C was on. Told the service desk exactly that.

Response: Oh, you need a freon recharge. $250.

I agreed and left the vehicle.

Dealer called me in the afternoon and said well, it wasn't the freon it is the air mixing box (or something in the dash was stuck open)

They quoted $3,000 to repair lol.

I told them not interested...Jeep has 175 K miles.

Went to pick up and there was a $250 charge for freon. Same cost as quoted to fix the problem...but the problem wasn't fixed. Small detail.

You can fill in the blanks what I thought of the charge. I told them they could take the freon out to offset their loss on the deal. She said $250 was a reasonable diagnostic cost since I now knew what the problem is. I had some other work done which was $400 so they didn't lose any money on the deal at $115/hr shop rate.

The small claims suit would be $250 plus $150 in court fees and service and $150 for wasting my time.

Should I file?
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 38074948


Lawsuit for $250
cruise

CHUMP CHANGE
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 80701872


As stated, yes, it IS chump change...but if auto dealers routinely do this shit, its because no one pushes back.

Go look at that dudes thread MASTER MECHANIC or whatever. It's not an unusual issue apparently
Anonymous Coward (OP)
User ID: 38074948
United States
08/14/2022 01:25 PM
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Re: Looking for Opinion...Car dealer ripoff?
Only have a case of they didn't recharge the freon imo. Both the freon and the mixing box may have been bad. Now it's just the mixing box. Mechanics get a lot of guff but they have a business to run complete with insurance, rent, taxes, and customers wanting labor for free.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 40639337


Never asked for free labor. I was quoted for a repair and it wasn't made.

Looks like the prevailing sentiment is the dealer is right.

Thanks for the input
936432979

User ID: 76832232
United States
08/14/2022 01:34 PM
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Re: Looking for Opinion...Car dealer ripoff?
No, because the next place you take it to will want to change the freon and you can say, already did that.
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 81003523
United States
08/14/2022 01:35 PM
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Re: Looking for Opinion...Car dealer ripoff?
So, I fix the assumed problem with my time and freon... cost 250.

Not the actual problem as now its charged we found a leak in the box.... that will cost 3000.

I'd say they did fix one problem. Empty charge. They found a second problem. You owe 250.

Pay them.
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 80720208
Canada
08/14/2022 01:45 PM
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Re: Looking for Opinion...Car dealer ripoff?
When the AC system is out of freon, it doesn't blow hot air, it just blows air. Sounds like an overconfident service 'advisor' diagnosed your problem without looking at it and you paid for his/her mistake.

Probably not worthwhile fighting it. If it was a small, self-respecting shop, they would have sucked it up and taken the loss (cost of freon). Because you brought your car in with a problem expecting it to get fixed but they failed to fix it with their shotgun 'diagnosis'. But big dealerships couldn't care less and have lawyers on retainer and aren't afraid to deploy them against us little people.

Just stop taking your vehicle to them, leave an informative/negative review for others to see, and go on with your life.
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 63927796
United States
08/14/2022 01:51 PM
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Re: Looking for Opinion...Car dealer ripoff?
my 05 jeep did the same thing. it was a vacuum line under the hood at the dash. reinstall and zip tie.
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 80720208
Canada
08/14/2022 01:52 PM
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Re: Looking for Opinion...Car dealer ripoff?
So, I fix the assumed problem with my time and freon... cost 250.

Not the actual problem as now its charged we found a leak in the box.... that will cost 3000.

I'd say they did fix one problem. Empty charge. They found a second problem. You owe 250.

Pay them.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 81003523


Except they would probably have to discharge the freon from the system to do the actual repair... and greasy dealerships would have no problem double-charging him for the freon when they have to recharge it following repair.

I don't know this from bitter experience, I know it from working at several dealerships as a tech.

Small shops with specialty mechanics (like Toyota or Ford trained techs) are usually the best place to get a car serviced and repaired. Cheaper, often more experienced techs, and they actually care about the customer and their car. People often think dealerships are the best because they specialize, but there are TONS of independent shops with techs who have years of dealership experience.
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 81003523
United States
08/14/2022 01:55 PM
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Re: Looking for Opinion...Car dealer ripoff?
So, I fix the assumed problem with my time and freon... cost 250.

Not the actual problem as now its charged we found a leak in the box.... that will cost 3000.

I'd say they did fix one problem. Empty charge. They found a second problem. You owe 250.

Pay them.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 81003523


Except they would probably have to discharge the freon from the system to do the actual repair... and greasy dealerships would have no problem double-charging him for the freon when they have to recharge it following repair.

I don't know this from bitter experience, I know it from working at several dealerships as a tech.

Small shops with specialty mechanics (like Toyota or Ford trained techs) are usually the best place to get a car serviced and repaired. Cheaper, often more experienced techs, and they actually care about the customer and their car. People often think dealerships are the best because they specialize, but there are TONS of independent shops with techs who have years of dealership experience.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 80720208


They completed their 250 contract. Even if they retain the freon they still loose the extra time of the very expensive mechanic.
Pay them
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 78082213
United Kingdom
08/14/2022 02:15 PM
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Re: Looking for Opinion...Car dealer ripoff?
you would lose so hard they would probably 2-3x the award, especially if they got an attourney
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 83848395
United States
08/14/2022 02:20 PM
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Re: Looking for Opinion...Car dealer ripoff?
I know in the scheme of things, this is a small deal but it really pisses me off to the point I am considering a smal claims filing which will waste more of my time.

Looking for opinions if I should pursue or not.

Took my 2014 Jeep to a jeep dealer because it was blowing hot air when A/C was on. Told the service desk exactly that.

Response: Oh, you need a freon recharge. $250.

I agreed and left the vehicle.

Dealer called me in the afternoon and said well, it wasn't the freon it is the air mixing box (or something in the dash was stuck open)

They quoted $3,000 to repair lol.

I told them not interested...Jeep has 175 K miles.

Went to pick up and there was a $250 charge for freon. Same cost as quoted to fix the problem...but the problem wasn't fixed. Small detail.

You can fill in the blanks what I thought of the charge. I told them they could take the freon out to offset their loss on the deal. She said $250 was a reasonable diagnostic cost since I now knew what the problem is. I had some other work done which was $400 so they didn't lose any money on the deal at $115/hr shop rate.

The small claims suit would be $250 plus $150 in court fees and service and $150 for wasting my time.

Should I file?
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 38074948


your missing the point,

they fixed the freon part, thats fixed (probably didnt need it)

your blend door in the dash is stuck open--meaning outside air is still entering the cabin,

so now that needs fixed

should have never went to the dealer

should have asked on here for help,

I could have told you it was the blend door because it happens alot,

usually the freon is ok

you had to pay to learn a valuable lesson

DO NOT TAKE IT TO THE DEALER
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 83635896
United States
08/14/2022 02:25 PM
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Re: Looking for Opinion...Car dealer ripoff?
I know in the scheme of things, this is a small deal but it really pisses me off to the point I am considering a smal claims filing which will waste more of my time.

Looking for opinions if I should pursue or not.

Took my 2014 Jeep to a jeep dealer because it was blowing hot air when A/C was on. Told the service desk exactly that.

Response: Oh, you need a freon recharge. $250.

I agreed and left the vehicle.

Dealer called me in the afternoon and said well, it wasn't the freon it is the air mixing box (or something in the dash was stuck open)

They quoted $3,000 to repair lol.

I told them not interested...Jeep has 175 K miles.

Went to pick up and there was a $250 charge for freon. Same cost as quoted to fix the problem...but the problem wasn't fixed. Small detail.

You can fill in the blanks what I thought of the charge. I told them they could take the freon out to offset their loss on the deal. She said $250 was a reasonable diagnostic cost since I now knew what the problem is. I had some other work done which was $400 so they didn't lose any money on the deal at $115/hr shop rate.

The small claims suit would be $250 plus $150 in court fees and service and $150 for wasting my time.

Should I file?
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 38074948


Up to you if you want to file or not.

Find the service manager and lean on him to get the car fixed. Go right past the service writer.

Find out if they scanned it. There might be codes in the HVAC module. Those Jeeps were bad about breaking mode door gears and actuators. and if the blend door can't move to the cold position you won't have cool air no matter how good the A/C works.
Mdc61170

User ID: 80415401
United States
08/14/2022 02:26 PM
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Re: Looking for Opinion...Car dealer ripoff?
Not worth. Leave bad reviews and bad mouth em round town.
Two roofs over my head
Crichton clan-God.Send.Grace

Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15)
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 83635896
United States
08/14/2022 02:27 PM
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Re: Looking for Opinion...Car dealer ripoff?
I know in the scheme of things, this is a small deal but it really pisses me off to the point I am considering a smal claims filing which will waste more of my time.

Looking for opinions if I should pursue or not.

Took my 2014 Jeep to a jeep dealer because it was blowing hot air when A/C was on. Told the service desk exactly that.

Response: Oh, you need a freon recharge. $250.

I agreed and left the vehicle.

Dealer called me in the afternoon and said well, it wasn't the freon it is the air mixing box (or something in the dash was stuck open)

They quoted $3,000 to repair lol.

I told them not interested...Jeep has 175 K miles.

Went to pick up and there was a $250 charge for freon. Same cost as quoted to fix the problem...but the problem wasn't fixed. Small detail.

You can fill in the blanks what I thought of the charge. I told them they could take the freon out to offset their loss on the deal. She said $250 was a reasonable diagnostic cost since I now knew what the problem is. I had some other work done which was $400 so they didn't lose any money on the deal at $115/hr shop rate.

The small claims suit would be $250 plus $150 in court fees and service and $150 for wasting my time.

Should I file?
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 38074948


Up to you if you want to file or not.

Find the service manager and lean on him to get the car fixed. Go right past the service writer.

Find out if they scanned it. There might be codes in the HVAC module. Those Jeeps were bad about breaking mode door gears and actuators. and if the blend door can't move to the cold position you won't have cool air no matter how good the A/C works.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 83635896


Got logged out.
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 79957947
United States
08/14/2022 02:53 PM
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Re: Looking for Opinion...Car dealer ripoff?
...
The small claims suit would be $250 plus $150 in court fees and service and $150 for wasting my time.

Should I file?
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 38074948

No, I’d say it’s not worth it to file, do something better with your time. It isn’t worth the effects on your health to keep this anger internalized. Take a deep breath and exhale, letting the anger out. Then, calmly, logically, and in the best interest of others who may become victims of this dealership, file a complaint with the better business bureau and look up other complaints that have been made about this dealer. If the record of this dealer is way worse than other dealers, then these complaints become yours to spread. You know, “I know of someone that went to that dealer and they put 10w40 in the tail lights instead of 10w30”.
Anonymous Coward (OP)
User ID: 38074948
United States
08/14/2022 02:57 PM
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Re: Looking for Opinion...Car dealer ripoff?
So, I fix the assumed problem with my time and freon... cost 250.

Not the actual problem as now its charged we found a leak in the box.... that will cost 3000.

I'd say they did fix one problem. Empty charge. They found a second problem. You owe 250.

Pay them.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 81003523


They admitted there was adequate freon in the system. They added a few pounds, or whatever, to top it off since they already removed. The problem wasn't the freon..it was the mixing box under the dash. THE VEHICLE HAD FREON IN IT.

EVEN if they added a little freon, it was, or is, of no value to me if the system doesnt work. I also told them to take out the extra if they wanted it back.
Anonymous Coward (OP)
User ID: 38074948
United States
08/14/2022 03:04 PM
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Re: Looking for Opinion...Car dealer ripoff?
I know in the scheme of things, this is a small deal but it really pisses me off to the point I am considering a smal claims filing which will waste more of my time.

Looking for opinions if I should pursue or not.

Took my 2014 Jeep to a jeep dealer because it was blowing hot air when A/C was on. Told the service desk exactly that.

Response: Oh, you need a freon recharge. $250.

I agreed and left the vehicle.

Dealer called me in the afternoon and said well, it wasn't the freon it is the air mixing box (or something in the dash was stuck open)

They quoted $3,000 to repair lol.

I told them not interested...Jeep has 175 K miles.

Went to pick up and there was a $250 charge for freon. Same cost as quoted to fix the problem...but the problem wasn't fixed. Small detail.

You can fill in the blanks what I thought of the charge. I told them they could take the freon out to offset their loss on the deal. She said $250 was a reasonable diagnostic cost since I now knew what the problem is. I had some other work done which was $400 so they didn't lose any money on the deal at $115/hr shop rate.

The small claims suit would be $250 plus $150 in court fees and service and $150 for wasting my time.

Should I file?
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 38074948


Up to you if you want to file or not.

Find the service manager and lean on him to get the car fixed. Go right past the service writer.

Find out if they scanned it. There might be codes in the HVAC module. Those Jeeps were bad about breaking mode door gears and actuators. and if the blend door can't move to the cold position you won't have cool air no matter how good the A/C works.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 83635896


Got logged out.
 Quoting: DieselTech


They confirmed by, according to them, "we tore the dash all the way apart to confirm the problem". Of course, they did this BEFORE asking me if I wanted to spend 3K if it was the mixing box. SO the dealer put in a lot of labor they shouldn't have...again not my fault.

Probably why they insisted I pay the original quoted amount.





GLP