08 F450 6.4L Wrench Light on?
Hello I bought a 08 F450 Stake Bed from a local company that claimed coolant in the oil and it was deemed too old to fix. It was one owner with 88K miles. I took it to mechanic/friend 180 miles away ...
Forum Discussion
Fish:
I like to believe that dealership mechanics have the best and most up to date training, access to the most technical data and have the correct tools and equipment. From what I have seen it is that way sometimes. The other times they do have the tools/equipment but don't know how to use them, or trouble shoot. They are lost the art of diagnosis and if it isn't spelled out in a TSB many times they don't know how to address known issues without replacing the whole component (Sir you need a new engine!). If the shop does bad work the dealership is still propped up with business from sales, parts, financing, etc.
Small shops on the other hand stay in business with repair work off of referrals or reputation so they either swim or sink. Many diesel specialty shops do the work that other shops can't or won't and since they work on the typical issues more often than the just oil changes, light bulbs and belt changes they are very good at it and have learned/formulated their own short cuts and knowing that they won't be paid for a callback they strive to make it work the first time.
I do use dealership for some work that needs to be done esp for the Hybrid and I give them first shot at diesel work sometimes but when their answers/diagnosis are vague and/or their quoted hours are above book I take it elsewhere. I feel they either not sure how/what to repair or just want to rip me off.
The owner of the shop drove it for awhile in vary traffic conditions with the scanner and allowed the truck to sit overnight and again checked the coolant level. I paid 1590 for more work that Ford was going to do at 3700 so I am definitely happier and my wallet prefers the shop. I drove it home today with no issues. On a side note I am amazed that this gets better mpgs on city streets (13-16 mpg) than the highway (11 mpg) but guess that is from the rear gear (4.88).
I like to believe that dealership mechanics have the best and most up to date training, access to the most technical data and have the correct tools and equipment. From what I have seen it is that way sometimes. The other times they do have the tools/equipment but don't know how to use them, or trouble shoot. They are lost the art of diagnosis and if it isn't spelled out in a TSB many times they don't know how to address known issues without replacing the whole component (Sir you need a new engine!). If the shop does bad work the dealership is still propped up with business from sales, parts, financing, etc.
Small shops on the other hand stay in business with repair work off of referrals or reputation so they either swim or sink. Many diesel specialty shops do the work that other shops can't or won't and since they work on the typical issues more often than the just oil changes, light bulbs and belt changes they are very good at it and have learned/formulated their own short cuts and knowing that they won't be paid for a callback they strive to make it work the first time.
I do use dealership for some work that needs to be done esp for the Hybrid and I give them first shot at diesel work sometimes but when their answers/diagnosis are vague and/or their quoted hours are above book I take it elsewhere. I feel they either not sure how/what to repair or just want to rip me off.
The owner of the shop drove it for awhile in vary traffic conditions with the scanner and allowed the truck to sit overnight and again checked the coolant level. I paid 1590 for more work that Ford was going to do at 3700 so I am definitely happier and my wallet prefers the shop. I drove it home today with no issues. On a side note I am amazed that this gets better mpgs on city streets (13-16 mpg) than the highway (11 mpg) but guess that is from the rear gear (4.88).
