[WE R VT]

Sunday my car just stopped. I had it towed to local dealership.

Fix #1: Replace fuel filter and clean lines.

I picked up the car and it got 2 miles and died again. It would crank, but not run, just like before. Mechanic came to me and checked codes...said it was the fuel pump. He had said after cleaning the day before, it ran for two hours!

Fix #2: Replaced fuel pump. They ran it and it died yet again.

They called and said it must be the module that sits in the spare tire area....and oh, did I know that water was in there! I had a trunk leak to the point that water was standing in there.

I said that if the module was the problem, why did it need a fuel pump?

I also told them I brought the car in 2.5 years ago with a trunk leak that they cound not replicate! It has leaked ever since!

Possible fix #3: New module (on top of new pump). It has been ordered.

My problem is that if the gas was bad ( as originally suspected) then the new filter and lines are clogged again - they didn't replace or clean tank.

If the "underwater" module is the problem, why am I buying a new pump? And... if the trunk leak isn't fixed, what will stop this from occurring again?

I've been out of work since October 3. Any assistance on what to ask for what I should be liable for is appreciated. I told the dealer that it sounds like a Ford problem. I'm willing to pay what is my obligation, but this is getting comical, if it weren't so expensive!

Thanks to all.

Go Hokies.

[stlwagon]

I'm assuming that the car is no longer under warranty?

[WE R VT]

No warranty. 3.5 years old and 67,000 miles.

[stlwagon]

You should talk to the service manager. You should not be paying for them to just throw parts at the problem.

[WE R VT]

The mechanic said that the pump was gaining and losing pressure (when checking after the initial filter replacement) Another fairly knowledgeble friend suggests that that is BS. The pump either works or it doesn't, and that the rise and loss of pressure must be related to the module. Does that make sense?

I'm of the opinon (admittedly uneducated) that the pump was probably OK all along, and that if the pump was bad, it would not have run 2 hours after the initial filter replacement.

I think they're just trying to collect on the new (and possibly) unnecessary fuel pump.

Any advice? I'm trying to prepare my argumants to the manager.

Thanks you very much for any opinions.

[ONEZ ST]

You dont say if there are any codes that are related to this problem so it is very hard to say the problem is fuel, ignitiion or air induction related.

Ask the service manager to show you the fuel pressure data that they have collected to come to the conslusion the filter or pump was bad and neded replaced.

Ask why they think now the module in the spare wheel well is at fault. Ask to see any fault codes and ask how they trace that code back to that specific component.

Discuss the trunk leak with the service manager. Explain that you brought the car in when under warranty for the trunk leak and they didnt find it. If you have a work order number show it to them for that problem. Dont be surprised of neither you nor the dealership may have this recorded if they could not duplicate the problem. They often dont record shop visits they can not verify a problem because it establishes an audit trail for situations like you have, or it can be used as proof of drive-backs which dealerships dont like on record. In any case you are correct that they need to fix the trunk leak if they say its the root cause of the problem.

Unfortunately when a car is out of warranty it becomes an uphill battle to resolve these types of disputes.

If you have any of the work order paperwork with you post the codes if they documented any.

In the end tell the service manager that you are not paying them to fix the problem by process of elimination. Also ask them about the warranty for the work they perform. How many days/months/miles do they stand behind their work.

[WE R VT]

They do have the prior leak on record. They actually confirmed the visit when I was yelling at them on the phone.

Supposedly the fuel pupm code didn't come up on the first visit, but it did when I was broken down after retrieving the car. So....my thought is to ask if they are basing their claim for payment for the new pump solely on that later code reading (as opposed to the module). They almost have to say yes. Then, I will demand that since the "code" is gospel, it wasn't reading the same when I originally had it towed in, therefore, it is there problem not mine!

Either we live by the code (or lack thereof), or we don't!

I'll keep you posted! I should find out more today.

[stlwagon]

Originally Posted by WE R VT

They do have the prior leak on record. They actually confirmed the visit when I was yelling at them on the phone.

Supposedly the fuel pupm code didn't come up on the first visit, but it did when I was broken down after retrieving the car. So....my thought is to ask if they are basing their claim for payment for the new pump solely on that later code reading (as opposed to the module). They almost have to say yes. Then, I will demand that since the "code" is gospel, it wasn't reading the same when I originally had it towed in, therefore, it is there problem not mine!

Either we live by the code (or lack thereof), or we don't!

I'll keep you posted! I should find out more today.

That's going to be a tough sell. I wish you luck.

[WE R VT]

Kudos to the Service Department.

They dropped and drained fuel tank, replaced pump and module in the trunk, and payed for the tow back.....all for no charge!

We'll correct the leak later, but I got the car back and they covered all of the costs for the return visit and effort.

[ONEZ ST]

Excellent! I'm glad to hear they took care of you.