I decided to replace the spark plugs at 50,000 miles and 2 1/2 years as in my experience, waiting for 100,000 can cause problems with things that won't come undone. I discovered that this is an impossible task because of some water leaks and the result is that the two back screws that hold the top of the intake plenum on have rusted away, or at least the heads have rusted away. The others are fine so I put them back in and as the van is still under warranty I take it back to the selling dealer, Hendrick Dodge in Cary NC and ask them to change the spark plugs and I explain the problem that I encountered. I obviously expect a bill for their labor (3 hours allowed) plus the plugs and assume that the rest will be under warranty.
Now Hendrick is a 2-1/2 hour drive from my location. An hour later they say that if they replace the plugs, my bill will be $1,600. They will charge their price for a complete plenum as they will have to destroy the top and bottom to do the job. WTF?
First the service advisor say that I broke the screws. Then later I speak to the service manager and he explains that this would not be covered under the 100000 mile power train warranty as the intake plenum is not part of the power train.
I instructed them to leave the van alone and now have it back. I can do this job but am annoyed that I have to fix something that is caused by a fault in the van. Hendrick's have lost a customer who has purchased 4 vehicles from them since 2012. If this is indeed the warranty interpretation, FCA should be guilty of false advertising.
I have uploaded some photos which will show where the leak is when driving in the rain and one of the rotted away screw heads. Obviously these are the back ones and the hardest to get to.
Now Hendrick is a 2-1/2 hour drive from my location. An hour later they say that if they replace the plugs, my bill will be $1,600. They will charge their price for a complete plenum as they will have to destroy the top and bottom to do the job. WTF?
First the service advisor say that I broke the screws. Then later I speak to the service manager and he explains that this would not be covered under the 100000 mile power train warranty as the intake plenum is not part of the power train.
I instructed them to leave the van alone and now have it back. I can do this job but am annoyed that I have to fix something that is caused by a fault in the van. Hendrick's have lost a customer who has purchased 4 vehicles from them since 2012. If this is indeed the warranty interpretation, FCA should be guilty of false advertising.
I have uploaded some photos which will show where the leak is when driving in the rain and one of the rotted away screw heads. Obviously these are the back ones and the hardest to get to.
In addition I had a dead battery so a jump start was in order. When I opened the hood to jump start I noticed a continuos drip of water coming in through a screw in the gutter below the windshield. the water was pouring on the electrical system/fuse box and various connections arg!!!!!!!!!!
