Questions to ask mechanics when away from home

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(Question at bottom, if you don’t want background of situation)

Last week I saw some fuel dripping on the ground where I’m parked currently. Crawled underneath thinking leak was from one of my FASS filters. No such luck of just tightening a leaking filter. Leak was coming from top of the fuel tank. I don’t have any way to work on it where I’m at. We are in a RV park. I got out my Dodge book and no way around pulling the tank to see what is going on. The local Dodge dealer has one diesel guy, couldn’t get in until next week and Dodge believes in the drop in tank aquarium style as a work around on the known 5.9 lift pump problem. I drive to local grocery store and a Walmart looking for the some people with 2nd gen Dodges that have with local license plates. Found two locals that recommend a shop. I go to that shop and introduce myself to the owner and explain what my problem is. I stress that I want a new fuel sending unit if tank is dropped and I have a FASS system and not just anybody can work on them. They are very good and simple but I don’t want to be the ginny pig for somebody that is not familiar with them. The injection pump alone is around $1,000 and mine does or did work fine. No problem he says. Directs me to an employee and says “this guy worked for Dodge over 6 years". I explain to this guy my problem and that I have a FASS fuel system and ask "have you ever worked on them before"? “OH YA, no problem” he says. OK, while he is pulling the tank, I also tell him I have an idiot light for low PSI fuel line. I say, “OK, I’ll get the fuel sending unit. He says “OH one is already on the way, best deal I found is $383.00”. What, I already looked them up and I know they go for out the door for under $250.00. But OK, I’ll chip in his retirement fund, “give me call when you’re done”. Wife and I go get lunch and do some shopping. I come back and the pay bill. Almost get back to RV park about 7 miles away and engine starts running like it’s low on fuel or air in system. And No low fuel pressure light goes off. I bring it back to shop, I change filters and the same thing. The guy says “well I don’t think the problem is mine. There is no more fuel leaking. I stopped the leak”. By this time I have found a creeper and under the truck with him. Trying to sort out what the problem might be, then guy pulls out his phone, gets on line to the FASS web site. Turns out the guy doesn’t know jack about FASS systems and didn’t disconnect the battery before starting work. As there is not a mark on any battery cable. I ask “what fuse did you pull to disconnect power to sending unit”? He gives me a blank stare and admits he didn’t pull any fuse or disconnect battery. I tell him “ Maybe that’s why low fuel pressure light didn’t go off” and I say sort of jokingly “How long do you work for a Dodge dealer”? He then says “over six years, but I only worked on gas never diesel or very limited”. Tomorrow I’m going shopping for some shop that knows something.

RANT (my crying story)is over with.

I'm hoping just a loose connection on supply side of fuel. Hope no damage to injector pump. But it’s back to square one of pulling tank. And I’ll have to get it towed, to wherever I take it to.

Now the question to this (crime in progress)…

What qualifying questions do you ask when finding a mechanic when you can’t work on your stuff and in a new place where you don't know anybody


(I had to go thru Woodalls forum to post. RV net real slow at time of posting)

[jmckelvy]

If you have Good Sam Roadside Assistance, they can find you a shop with a "certified" Cummins tech. If you have to get it towed by them they will require it to be taken to such.