Feedback FROM a dealership in Michigan

Big Montana · **Posted:** Thu Jul 08, 2010 2:16 pm

Not that this is a surprise to anyone, but I contacted a local dealer to ask about parts and service for my Jeep, indicating I may do the service myself if the price was too high. A nice person called me back with some questions, and then told me that they would most likely be unable to beat any price I would find doing it myself. I know that.

He then said that he isn't sure that there are that many people at Chrysler remaining to even handle the Jeep anymore because it is unlike any other diesel they currently service. I guess I knew that, but I didn't expect someone in a service department to say that. There is something to be said for honesty though. I'm pretty sure that he is going to give me a crazy estimate just so he doesn't have to see me.

That being said, I can perform these particular services myself (fuel head, alternator pulley, thermostat, tensioner pulley) but I wonder what the heck I'm going to do when it comes time to change the timing belt next summer or replace my torque converter. I'm pretty sure I don't have the time, tools, or talent to get that job done.

BVCRD · **Posted:** Thu Jul 08, 2010 2:27 pm

No worries. Even a lame tech can plug in a computer and read codes. The TC and tranny are used in other cars. Just put a blindfold on them and tell them they are working on a RAM.

grywlfbg · **Posted:** Thu Jul 08, 2010 3:55 pm

Yeah. Transmission and body/chassis stuff is easy as it's the same as the gassers but engine work is a different story.

My Jeep has 80k on it so I'm staring down the timing belt service myself. My local dealership has one guy who was trained on the CRD (even though they were never sold in Cali - pretty impressive) and he did my warranty work just fine. Hopefully he'll still be working there when it's time for my service :ALONE:

warp2diesel · **Posted:** Thu Jul 08, 2010 4:08 pm

A competent Diesel Tech can handle the engine issues, it is not Rocket Science even though the Dealers try to make it sound like it is. Look for an independent with Cummins, PowerStroke, Duramax, Sprinters, Mercedes, or VW TDIs in the lot, good place to start.
The trans is a 545RFE and lots of good independent places can handle it. Go to B&G Chrysler (Warren,MI) or SunCoast for references if you need to, they try not to hook up with Idiots.
If you are in awe with Radical Fundamentalist FSM Thumping Dealer Techs, I can't help you.

JL Rockies · **Posted:** Thu Jul 08, 2010 4:42 pm

I had one of our techs switch out the timing belt on mine and he's a Chevy guy... no biggy.

Silverdiesel · **Posted:** Thu Jul 08, 2010 9:23 pm

I found a trusted mechanic that works on VW TDI's, Audi TDI's, Mercedes diesesl and such. He was a rare find. Lots of Powerstroke/Duramax/Cumminngs shops here in Phoenix but thats all they do- none wanted to venture away from the common and a couple stated "we don't do timing belts" or "Jeep Liberty has a diesel?".

Roland

Big Montana · **Posted:** Fri Jul 09, 2010 6:28 pm

I have to admit that I really only wanted the estamate to tell the wife how much money I saved while drinking beer in the garage all day and working hard to maintain the car.

geordi · **Posted:** Fri Jul 09, 2010 7:06 pm

Being in Michigan the way you are... You could also possibly bribe GDE to do your timing belt. Depending on how many other "extras" you get while you are there, that could end up being more expensive than the dealer, BUT you would be working with the people who know FAR more than any dealer does, and almost as much as VM does about their own engine.

No matter how much you spend there, it WILL be worth it in spades.

Big Montana · **Posted:** Fri Jul 09, 2010 8:08 pm

I've been to his house. Trust me I thought of it. I'm not sure they would be into it. I dropped a post once in jest, and I didn't get a response. Keith is only about 30 minutes away though. It would be perfect.

danoid · **Posted:** Sun Jul 11, 2010 12:03 pm

Milosch's Palace seems to me the most competent in the area in my experience. There still a dealership, but I haven't left swearing I'd never go back yet. (Unlike Birmingham, Oakland, Golling, Clarkston...)

fatweasel · **Posted:** Sun Jul 11, 2010 5:29 pm

I had my timing belt replaced at Naylor Jeep in Ann Arbor about 30k miles ago - they did a good job as far as I can tell.

Big Montana · **Posted:** Wed Jul 14, 2010 11:12 am

danoid wrote:

Milosch's Palace seems to me the most competent in the area in my experience. There still a dealership, but I haven't left swearing I'd never go back yet. (Unlike Birmingham, Oakland, Golling, Clarkston...)

Thanks for the tips guys,

Milosch is the dealership that put 7.5 quarts of oil in my jeep and then said it was fine when I went back to have them fix it. (I drained and collected it all) Then last winter I took my jeep to them for the front, rear, tc fluid change because I snapped one bolt off the skid plate and only got the second one half way out before giving up. They charged me for the service and then months later when I went to change my oil, I noticed the skid plate bolt was in the same place I left it. That says to me they didn't change the fluids.

It's my fault for not going back and raising hell though.

Feedback FROM a dealership in Michigan

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