Alex Bruene

Today's run-in... I charged to machine a set of rotors AND replaced them on the same RO, as they machined undersize. Her response (the best one of heard of yet)... "When Ford looks at the training you have, they'll say you should have been able to tell the rotors would have machined undersize by looking at them".

I did ask all the questions necessary. I made sure to ask about the warranty situation, and the person responsible. I can't help but think I was told what I wanted to hear. No problem. Let the games begin!

Actually, she does work for the dealership. I don't know if she is on any kind of bonus for keeping it down, I don't really care. I am certified in everything. There is not a single SLTS operation that I am not allowed to use. I have been doing this long enough to know how and where to get every last 0.1 I can find, and I will, and I do. If I check voltage, or grounds, I expect to be paid. Keeping in mind if it were a retail repair, hitting a blower motor with a hammer to diagnose it does not warrant a 1.0 diag charge. If it's warranty, and I have to get my meter out and figure out why that blower motor does not work, and have to fill out my story with results of PPT J1 and so on, I want my diag time.

After several run-ins with the warranty clerk at my new dealership... I have to rant. They call her "The Debit Queen". She is set in her ways and debits at will. Not (necessarily) because Ford kicks back a claim, but more so if she wants to. 2 weeks ago, she debited me for using 12651D for diagnosing a manual climate control problem. I've been using this operation for years for various electrical problems, never an issue. I asked her who says I can't use it... Her reply: "I do. They pay me to keep the warranty down, so what I say goes". No big deal. When I get debited for an unjustified reason, I take it back 5 times (one way or another). I always win. Today, it happened again. Another manual climate control issue. Another BCE diagnosis... Another (attempted) debit. Her reply: "Technician X doesn't use that operation, so why should you?"... To which I responded: "Okay, but when I start guessing at what's wrong, and replacing parts until something works to fix it, who will be responsible for all the unnecessarily replaced parts?"... Her reply: "You". I'm looking forward to replacing lots of SJBs to see how far I can take this. Thanks. Rant over.

Jim, it is an absolutely beautiful town, and I can see why you would want to live there. I'm glad to hear your stuff (for the most part) is okay. I wish I could say the same about everybody and everything else in your town. Call me an intellect as far as wild-fire is concerned, but I can't help but wonder how the fire was able to penetrate so deep into town. I live in a small subdivision carved in to the York Regional Forest on the side of an Ontario Mountain (a.k.a. a hill), which is surrounded by conifers-quite a few of them dead-standing. The wind never stops here. I'd be lying if I told you I don't worry about what would happen if there were a fire.

Lisle and KD are the same tool. Works great. I (stupidly) spent an extra 50 bucks on the exact kit, but it says MATCO on the box.

Good news, Jim. Glad to see everybody is safe.

There is a picture of the Ford dealership in todays Toronto Sun. The inventory is nothing but burned out shells, but it doesn't show the building. I did dig up a phone number to call to check on residents. It is 1-800-565-4483. On the Facebook page I linked, complete strangers are offering places to stay, places to put up horses and pets, money, clothing, food... Amazing!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Slave-Lake-and-Community-Message-Board/102606633162411?sk=wall

Wow! I just saw the 6 o'clock news report. What a disaster! Thankfully they are not reporting any injuries or fatalities. Here's hoping the weather cooperates and makes for a speedy fire-fight.

I have also turned down the opportunity, but it was simply because I had a few people bidding for my services, and the highest bidder won. I can tell you that place has it's issues, but it sounds to me like yours has (greater?) issues too. The CAW being the main one. I can also tell you this place does have work... More than they can handle with one diesel technician. The owner is a bit of a DB, but that comes with the territory.

Before I call a set of injectors on a 7.3, I always have a good look at the oil pan condition. If it's rotted and ready to be changed, and factoring the cost of the pan and a set of injectors, you can replace the engine for not too much more moolah. Keeping in mind that my (former) dealer would sell an engine for between $800 and $1000 over dead cost, so that made for a pretty competitive engine price. I don't know what to expect from my new dealer. I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

I've never been in to doing sideys. I just don't have the time or desire. I leave my house every morning at 6:30 am, and get home usually around 6:30 pm. Monday to Friday. I have no interest in looking at a car or truck. My work income is more than sufficient... and I can't put a price on spending time with the fam. For real? It certainly doesn't look like the CAW has your best interest in mind! If you'd like the info, I know of a dealership in our vicinity that is offering $40 per hour for a Master Diesel technician. I don't know if they've filled the position yet, but last I heard they hadn't.

All you'll find in my driveway is my wifes 2006 Freestar and my 1998 Explorer. No sideys for me, thanks.

BTW, I like the picture of Brad (I think) standing there with the "Shepherd's Hook" in hand. They say that is the only thing that stands between a closed casket or open casket funeral!

I'm doing the Balance, and training on the Transit Connect. There are a lot of Balance Hybrids on the road in my area. Fed-Ex, Purolator, City of Toronto, IKEA and a few more, and only 3 certified repair facilities in the Greater Toronto Area(I think). The technical support is fantastic. They live connect to my lap-top and (help) diagnose it from a few different locations, and can (usually) have an FSE on-site within a day or two. The thing about them that kind of bothers me is that they don't have enough safety systems in place with the high-voltage system. Don't get me wrong, they're safe if you follow the directions, wear your gloves and check voltages anywhere you're not sure... But, unlike the Escape, there are components and cables that can be (easily) accessed without removing the master disconnect that will still be live... So, it's not as idiot proof as the Escape system (I've never worked on a Fusion, so I don't know how they are).

Nope. I'm still gonna call it "Fecal-Eye".

I could not be happier with the results of this election... and, thankfully we don't have to do it again for the next 4 years!

I started my Azure training a few weeks ago. I had an FSE come by today to show me the ropes a little and teach me how to use the diagnostic software. Looks like fun. I love a new challenge! Check it out www.azdtec.com

Y'all gotta wash yer hands better after y'all poop!

Sorry. It was a while ago, and I don't remember all the exact details, but the manual will have you remove a lot of things that are not necessary, and quite time consuming. As mentioned in another post, if you do it like you would a 6.4, you'll save a lot of effort. I will compare the unnecessary steps in the WSM for 6.7 radiator removal with the unnecessary steps you find in the E-Series WSM for left engine mount removal.

I had to change one once that had been damaged. I read the manual, then did it my own way. I couldn't imagine doing it the WSM way.

The scrap value must be huge. We had a guy that would come by the shop and give us $20 each for them.

I've used that same rig. Works great. I usually load the tension really, really, really tight, then smack the tire with a sledge, or hit the rim with an air hammer. Once, I didn't put nuts on, and it fired the wheel and puller about 6 feet away from the truck.

I won't go anywhere near anybody doing that recall. I'm glad the truck shop at this dealership (as well as the last dealership) are separate from the car shops... but, at the old shop, everybody had respirators, at this shop all they use is paint masks...