Everyone always says "don't go to the dealer!!" Here's why:
Called Ford 'cause I've got a P0677 CEL (#7 Glow Plug). Basically, the truck needs either a new glow plug, or new GP solenoid, or both. Here's the procedure: unhook the harness, check the resistance across the #7 GP, if it's >5 Ohms, replace the GP (take off valve cover, then swap the GP, it's basically a spark plug, replace the valve cover). If the resistance checks out, or the CEL comes back after swapping the GP, the solenoid need to be replaced, which is supposed to be easier than the GP. Probably 2 hours labor max... realistically a tech that's done this job 1000 times should do it in like 30 minutes.
Anyway, I made an appointment for this morning at Ford because I didn't want to mess around looking for a diesel tech and jumping through hoops. I figured it'd be expensive but less hassle at the dealer. Plus I need an oil change, and I don't feel like messing with 3 gallons of oil myself. So what the hey, right?
Well, over the phone they make my appointment and tell me the oil change will be $70, and the GP they can't estimate over the phone. When I get there, I'm told "there's a minimum 2 hour diagnostic fee for diesels, and the oil change is $100".
But get this, apparently Ford charges $100/hr for labor. So I'm on the hook for $300
and that's not even to fix anything. The worst part is that
I've already done the diagnosis... Most likely, all they need to do it swap the GP. But Mr. Service Writer tells me they won't warranty a repair unless they do the diagnosis... which steams like a load of fresh shit to me... but poor Lisa is sitting in her car an hour late to work because she's offered to be my ride to work, so I forgo arguing. I tell the guy to note on the writeup that the truck's throwing a P0677 code, he tells me "I'll just put that the customer has a check engine light".
Next the guy tells me that I should expect up to
two days for the repair.
I told him, "Since you're charging me two hours of labor for a two minute job, I think you should be able to get it done a lot quicker than that. I'd like it by lunch." We'll see how that goes down. All I know is that I'm getting F'd in the A... it'll be interesting to see what they come up with for parts/labor for the GP swap. Something tells me that I'll be out at least $600, and I won't have the truck until Friday.
Kids, don't go to the dealer for service work.
