I recently brought my jeep into the local dealership for some warranty work. They let me back into the work bay to look at something before they started the work, so i took the chance to ask the tech some questions about the pcm. While he's going over it with me, we both notice some fairly large areas of rust on the frame near the engine and on the side of the engine bay underneath the battery. They said they would have to get approval from DCX before they could do anything about it. Picked up the KJ Saturday morning, and they told me the didn't receive approval from DCX yet so nothing was done about the rust; but when they did they would give me a call.

I went to disconnect the battery yesterday afternoon so i could rewire something...and noticed that they did some work in the engine bay. Looks like they ground the area down below the battery and applied a primer or a flat gray paint. Why would the dealership take care of most of the problem, but not tell me or put it on the invoice? Both the tech I talked to originally and the service manager were there when i picked it up, and neither of them said a word.

btw, another somewhat related question...the dealership also changed the oil and filter while they had it. I've used amsoil since the first oil change (KJ now has 31k miles). Should I replace the oil and filter now, or just leave it as is for 3k miles?

I don't know about the rest, but I'd make them get 5 qts of Amsoil and one of their filters back on there. They had no right to do that. It's about like if they would pull of a set of moogs to put the recall LBJ's on - dumb.

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My opinions & advice are taken at your own risk.
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2002 Patriot Blue KJ - Coming soon!
2006 Black LJ (Wrangler Unlimited), auto, custom skids, 3.5" Rubicon Express, Aussie D30, Rocker Guards & Cooper AT3 235x85r16
2009 Patriot Blue D2500, 5.7L Hemi, 4x4, Quad Cab
1967 Alberg 37' Masthead rigged Sloop

How many miles did you have on the amsoil? They seem like they are trying to do their job and maybe do a good deed. Did they charge you for the oil change?

It wont hurt a thing to run their oil for one interval. I dont like for people to mess with my Jeep, so I may be alittle upset if it were me. But then again, they may of been trying to be nice.

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Current Jeep: 2004 Jeep Liberty
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That's what hurt the most...under 1k. I believe the oil change was more necessary than it was a courtesy but either way they did not charge me. Six weeks after a fuel system flush my CEL came on again for a misfire in cylinder #2. I'm pretty sure I'd lose out if i try getting them to replace the amsoil as moose suggested.

I would get their oil out ASAP and get back to Amsoil. I would challenge them on why they did the oil change too as they really messed up your service schedule by taking out perfectly good Amsoil and a good filter and replacing it with a lesser product. If you didn't authorize an oil change then they got some splainin' to do.

It sure seems strange that they would tell you they were waiting for approval to fix the rust then it sounds like they went ahead and started the process. I would be asking them about that for sure and ask them to finish the job even if they don't get approval too. Leaving it half A$$ed isn't right.

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99 TJ
71 C101
04 KJ
03 SFA KJ Sport
LOST JEEPS So-Cal

While I totaly agree with JJ'sKj about getting back to your Amsoil,finishing the job on your rust issues,alot of this can be avoided by posting warnings about using any other product than Amsoil.A window sticker and an underhood sticker are suggested.If you already have these,then shame on them.I would be back down their quicker than you could whistle Dixie.
Where I work(independent shop),things like this will get you fired,NO QUESTIONS ASKED!

Ron

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Ron
03 Red Libberty Sport
3.7 V6 Auto 4x4
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Cooper Discover ATRs 265/75/16
American Racing 16x8 Polished Baja Wheels
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Why would they need approval to fix the rust? It is in our warranty for rust and corrosion. NO reason to check if they can they just need to fix it.

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2006 Jeep Liberty 65th Edition, 4x4, Auto
Mopar Borla Single Side Exhaust
Mopar Full Skids and Tow Hooks

1991 Pontiac Firebird, 305TBI w/ 5 spd manual, Black w/ T-Tops, Pretty much all stock

Boi1ermaker, LMK if you need both a window sticker and underhood sticker. I have both versions and can send you one if you would like. PM me for details.

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99 TJ
71 C101
04 KJ
03 SFA KJ Sport
LOST JEEPS So-Cal

PM sent, thank you very much.

Obviously i didn't have a sticker, and by the time they noticed the amsoil filter they were replacing i'm sure the oil had been drained. I'm not happy, and i'm pretty sure i'm going to have to eat it this time...but i've learned my lesson for the next time.

I specs of rust forming on the roof a few months back, and they told me the same thing about getting DCX approval. They called me a week later, told me the work was approved. The work they did that time was good, whatever they did it looks like the day i rolled it off the lot and i haven't had a problem since. If nothing, they are consistent with their approval story. Maybe they are just getting tired of me, did enough work that i would go away. Or maybe they were trying to be nice, fix up what they could get to easily so it didn't get any worse while they were waiting approval. I'm not sure which it is yet, but i will find out tomorrow morning.

Btw, for anybody who is getting a P0302 engine code, this is what it says near the bottom of my invoice (just above a note awaiting approval for the rust):
"31820 19 VERIFIED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FOUND ON CYLINDER TWO AND 3 MISFIRES FOUND TSB 0900706 Replace Intake Valve Locks of Both Heads and Intake Valves of One Cylinder Head; Test Engine Performance Then Replace Intake Valves On Other Cylinder Head LOP 09-95-01-97 12.4 Hrs TK1092"

On the rust issue: Maybe the tech just went in there and started to grind down the surface rust before telling the service manager? Then once the manager told the tech not to work on it - he used a can of spray paint to cover up his work...?

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02 Liberty Limited
Silver Outside & Taupe Inside
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Rock Rails, Tow Hooks

Called the dealership a little bit ago and the service manager was with a customer...left message requesting a call back but with nothing specific.


I don't know if thats a good or a bad thing tho...i don't know anything about body work, but it doesn't sound like a coat of paint on some grinding is going to help, and maybe it will make things worse.

Crawled under the jeep this morning before work, and they left the amsoil filter in....not sure if that's insult to injury. Since i'm changing the oil back to amsoil, guess i should replace the filter too since by now it could be filled with whatever the dealer put in. And i'm fairly sure they changed the oil, there's fresh oil on the bottom of the pan.

WHAT?!?! That makes a lot of sense. It is starting to sound like my local stealer.

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99 TJ
71 C101
04 KJ
03 SFA KJ Sport
LOST JEEPS So-Cal

At best they saw the amsoil filter and realized they just gave me an oil changed I was not going be happy about so they stopped there. At worst, they are completely incompetent, because it says replace filter on the invoice.

Talked to the service manager yesterday afternoon. I told him that the next time it was in for service, there would be a sticker under the hood instructing for only amsoil to be used, and i expected them to honor it if an oil change was done. Do i think really believe they would...no, but i hope to not have to find out. As far as the rust goes, when i asked about the work already performed, there was a few moments of awkward silence and he said they were sill awaiting approval. He either didn't know about the grinding and painting or didn't want to talk about it. I'll just be calling back every few days to check on this approval process; and when i take it in, i'll point it out again in person.

Personall, I think it was very nice all that they did for you, that dealer is a keeper. The oil is no big deal, use the free stuff, then change back. Never look a gift horse in the mouth. Now if they would have drained out some good mobil 1, that would be a different story, but aimsoil, no biggy ha ha, just kidding hot rod oil, pull your horns back in. Seriously, they seem to do a good job with you in all aspects, you don't find that much anymore, be greatfull you have a good dealer to work with.

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06 jeep liberty 4x4 65th aniver edition

04 ranger xlt sc 4x4, 4.0 sohc, 5-speed, gibson dual sport, cai, udp, bama tune, BFG's, and tru-trac

07 redfire mustang GT, 4.6 3V, 5-speed

One of the reasons i didn't make make a big deal out of things when i called yesterday was because they could of had good intentions. Like i said before, i know nothing about body work, they could have done the sanding and painting/priming to contain the rust until they do the full work. The oil thing, i just know for next time. I'll have the sticker, i'll know to leave 5 quarts of my preferred oil in the cargo area if its in for warranty service that could require an oil change. If they take the time to call me when the rust work is approved instead of me having to chase them down that would also say something about their service.