Bad lifter/cam and dealership is taking forever!

[7777xm]

meets spec but also no moly until recently. We are unofficially tracking this issue, more back a couple years then now, and at one point 6 cam fails in a row were non moly oils, 2 valvoline, 2 rp, one super tech, and I forget the 6th but it was a oil w/o moly. Now this happens so much we just lost track, FCA blows. Most people with a hemi want moly in their oil, read here if you haven't.

Interesting. Are there any oils with moly and meet the Mopar spec? I personally don't care about the Mopar spec as I was told it's for fuel economy and cold weather. But, FCA may care so I want to stick to using that if possible.

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[Burla]

Interesting. Are there any oils with moly and meet the Mopar spec? I personally don't care about the Mopar spec as I was told it's for fuel economy and cold weather. But, FCA may care so I want to stick to using that if possible.

Anything Pennzoil for sure, other then that verify by researching recent uoa's or voa's.

 

[meedom]

You also have the option of using Pennzoil Dino or Pennzoil synthetic and upping the moly by adding the lubegard biotech additive...

 

[Rowdy Ram]

Do you guys seem that this is ironic they know there's a problem with these Cam and lifters yet they want to beat around the bush with these games. This is my first Dodge and if I get this kind of treatment this will be my last job no matter how well-liked the truck is. I didn't pay several thousand dollars for for the lifetime warranty just to get screwed. I could have went and bought another F-150 if I wanted that.

 

[Rowdy Ram]

I'll tell you what customer service is years ago I had a Hyundai Sonata V6 automatic the car had a severe leak in the transmission which burned up they flew a transmission from Korea to the dealership and was installed in 10 days this was before Hyundais were built here in America that's what I call customer service

 

[AlanV1]

My 2014 1500 CC 4x4 w/5.7 has 113000 miles and developed the infamous failed lifter.

I have the Maxcare lifetime so I know the process is a little different then straight warranty work.

I dropped the truck off January 14th. Dealer looked at it a day later and found metal in the oil. They said they had to tear it down and have an adjuster look at it but looks like it would be a new engine.

On the 25th, the dealer finally had a torn apart and said the adjuster will be in either Friday or Monday. We didn't hear anything so I called and left a message on Wednesday and still didn't hear anything back. We called again today and was told that the tech had to pull the camshaft so the adjuster could come out again tomorrow (Friday). this is if they were able to get the technician to do that today which we don't know yet.

In the meantime we are in a rental that's not covered because maxcare does not cover vehicles there are over a hundred thousand miles.

What can we do at this point? The repair process is becoming extremely unreasonable because any competent shop could have diagnosed this within a couple days ordered parts and had them in a couple days and installed within a couple days.

the cost of this rental will cost more than repairs when this is all said and done.

We are beyond frustrated at this point. I don't mind paying for the rental if this was handled in a reasonable amount of time.

15 business days in and they still haven't gotten the official diagnosis and repair/replace verdict.

Any ideas?

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[AlanV1]

My 2014 1500 CC 4x4 w/5.7 has 113000 miles and developed the infamous failed lifter.

I have the Maxcare lifetime so I know the process is a little different then straight warranty work.

I dropped the truck off January 14th. Dealer looked at it a day later and found metal in the oil. They said they had to tear it down and have an adjuster look at it but looks like it would be a new engine.

On the 25th, the dealer finally had a torn apart and said the adjuster will be in either Friday or Monday. We didn't hear anything so I called and left a message on Wednesday and still didn't hear anything back. We called again today and was told that the tech had to pull the camshaft so the adjuster could come out again tomorrow (Friday). this is if they were able to get the technician to do that today which we don't know yet.

In the meantime we are in a rental that's not covered because maxcare does not cover vehicles there are over a hundred thousand miles.

What can we do at this point? The repair process is becoming extremely unreasonable because any competent shop could have diagnosed this within a couple days ordered parts and had them in a couple days and installed within a couple days.

the cost of this rental will cost more than repairs when this is all said and done.

We are beyond frustrated at this point. I don't mind paying for the rental if this was handled in a reasonable amount of time.

15 business days in and they still haven't gotten the official diagnosis and repair/replace verdict.

Any ideas?

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[AlanV1]

My 2014 6.4 Hemi 4x2 same thing: Oct-2018 168k miles the lifter spun around out of place and wore the lobe to nothing- Max care protection (covered till 2024) the truck was in the shop for 2 months even though i was the squeaky wheel it did not rush the lifters the cam was in stock- after 5 weeks with not even a lifter shipping date taking the mater in my own hands (Chrysler care was took a lot of notes but basically worthless) i found three dealers with in 100 miles that had the lifters and would not sell them to my dealership but would sell them to me off the street i would have paid for them so the dealer could complete the repair if i would have known this early i would have purchased them it would have been cheaper than losing thousands with my truck down. after 7 1/2 weeks in the shop the inspector (anther parts change) decides the engine with 168k miles will be resembled with (even though the engines tore down to the short block) the old heads and valves (even though re-manufactured heads were available) with new just a new cam (no cam bearings), new lifters and new intake which some how got damaged at total of $8200.00 in repair (just short of the 70% ratio of a new engine which is one of there guide lines for a new engine) all on the inspectors order I had no say so of how my engine got put back together they were absolutely convinced it would run forever, well 9,000 mi. later it spun a bearing- my opinion they did not get all the metal debris from the cam and lifter failure out of the engine and it possibly got sucked up in the oil pump sticking open the pressure relief valve causing loss of oil pressure, on a family trip on the highway with the cruise control set in the left lane it all happened in about 5 seconds spinning a crank bearing (94 mi towing bill on me). So at the dealership for another month with the catastrophic engine failure they put in a long block $15,000 with in 6 months they put $23,000 in my truck and out of the 6 months it was at the dealership for 3 months i believe if the inspector was really engine savvy and put it back together smartly with a new top half of the engine i would not have failed completely at 178k miles (my opinion). As of a month ago Fiat Chrysler dose not offer the Max Care protection my guess is they are eating it bad and would love to be out of all the deals perhaps thinking many would be fed up with long parts wait and trade the truck in stopping the non transferable Max care or there hoping and playing the odds the vehicle will be off road from other means long before the 10yr term (my opinion). Another rumor Chrysler is not releasing parts to auto parts store like starters and major components making more ingratiating for the owner and to consider a trade in (my opinion) hope your starter dose not go out mine did 4 weeks order time and there are not available at your local parts counter anywhere. But would i buy another Ram ABSOLUTELY the truck lacked nothing: great towing power and fuel millage with extreme confidence and dependability out of the 4 1/2 yrs. Hope it helps a little your not alone it kind of did reading your experience it was almost ditto to mine. Good Luck a Happy and Healthy New to all.

 

[indept]

Here's

Are you sure about this 100k mile rental disclaimer? I do not see it in my MaxCare paperwork. I do see that there is a maximum of 5 days or $175 per incident, but nothing about the mileage of the vehicle which excludes the ability to obtain a rental.

This long time is why I plan to return to the dealership I purchased the truck from for any major warranty work. I will be provided a loaner, then they can take as long as they need to.

From my maxcare:
TRIP INTERRUPTION, FIRST DAY RENTAL/CAR RENTAL ALLOWANCE, TOWING, KEYFOB REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENTS, AND ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE EXPIRE AT 7 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST.

 

[JPT]

Here's

From my maxcare:
TRIP INTERRUPTION, FIRST DAY RENTAL/CAR RENTAL ALLOWANCE, TOWING, KEYFOB REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENTS, AND ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE EXPIRE AT 7 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST.

Thank you. I see it now. My plan, if I have an issue like this, is to bring it to the dealership I purchased it from where I have access to loaners (as long as own the vehicle). Hopefully that will prevent me from having to front the bill for rentals.

Thanks

 

[WFSTARKIV]

I had the same problem with my 2013 ram. 1/2 the lifters were on back order. Took over 8 weeks to get that fixed and another week to get the heater core replaced. Chrysler customer service didn't seem to care. I have a 2016 3500 so at least had another vehicle to drive. Chrysler finally offered me 2 years of oil changes and tire rotations on my 3500. I finally got tired of waiting and bought a new ram 1500. I can't afford to have my work vehicle laid up for months, waiting for Chrysler to release parts for repairs that were covered by the extended warranty that I purchased. Also don't believe you should have to have an extra vehicle to drive because Chrysler is more concerned with new manufacture than customer service.

 

[chrisbh17]

Maybe start bringing people into their shop to look at your "for sale" truck, while they are still waiting to fix it.

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[Ramnewbie]

I took care of any possible future problems, traded mine for a new taco.

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[RammerHarder]

This is why, when i buy a new truck every 2 to 4yrs, it is written in my contracts that i get a free loaner whenever my truck is in for repairs, no matter if its an oil change or a long term repair, i pay nothing for a loaner vehicle no matter how long they have my trucks. This is what my dealership does for me every time i buy any vehicle from them, or i walk out the door. A free loaner for life, its the cost to them for me buying my vehicles from them. I think of it as an honer system... i buy your vehicles, you supply the loaner for life at no cost to me. Luckily, i have not had to use a loaner from them very many times. If i do have to have a loaner, they have a identical truck sitting there when i get there, filled gas tank ready to go.

It really sucks the **** when your vehicle breaks down... but YOU as a BUYER, should be asking for a free loaner when you bought your vehicle, and get it in writing!
With all this technology today, vehicles are going to have massive problems... so cover your asses and get a free loaner in the deal. I wont buy a vehicle without a loaner clause in it!

Sorry i couldn`t be of more help, but just trying to help with some advice next time you buy a vehicle.

 

[chrisbh17]

I think I need to move to everyone else's planet because all the dealers in my area act like their poop dont stink. Write into a contract I get a loaner no matter what? Lol

They will just point at their sign that says "free loaners for life!" without explaining it means you get whatever Enterprise gives you for the cheapest possible rate that the dealer pays. Not to mention you get to give a credit card "in case of damage claim" and you get to wait for transportation to and from Enterprise to pick up said loaner. Basically they make it so inconvenient you'd just rather wait for the truck to get fixed.

 

[RammerHarder]

I think I need to move to everyone else's planet because all the dealers in my area act like their poop dont stink. Write into a contract I get a loaner no matter what? Lol

They will just point at their sign that says "free loaners for life!" without explaining it means you get whatever Enterprise gives you for the cheapest possible rate that the dealer pays. Not to mention you get to give a credit card "in case of damage claim" and you get to wait for transportation to and from Enterprise to pick up said loaner. Basically they make it so inconvenient you'd just rather wait for the truck to get fixed.

Thats right Chris, i get a free loaner for life whenever i buy my trucks... the salemans asked me one time, why i should feel that i should get a free loaner... my reply to him was, "well you told how great these ram trucks are, so i shouldn`t ever have to need a loaner then, but write it in the contract, or i walk". Yeah, its in my contract. If they want the sale & business bad enough, they`ll do it. After 13yrs of doing business with them now, they don`t question what i want, they just do it, because they know me well enough, i`ll walk right out the door. When you build a relationship for that amount of time, in good faith in repeated buying from them, they`ll help you. It also helped that i stayed loyal to them too. Not say i haven`t had issues with their service`s now an then, they do take care of me pretty damn good, and they usually go above and beyond for me when they screw up.

I feel a little bad for people buying vehicles today, its alotta money, and alotta heartache reading posts like this OP posted. Sometimes ya just gotta get ahead of these car dealers when you buy vehicles today. If you dont think ahead, you cant blame the dealer for your own mistake(s). This is exactly the reason i request it in writing, i get a free loaner for life.

Its the price of doing business as a buyer. Get everything you can...end of story.

 

[chrisbh17]

More power to you, then!

I dont think I would ever have a 13 year/multi-purchase relationship with ANY dealer, simply because I dont think any of them have ever earned the right to my repeat business. There is always some bs back and forth involved. The RAM dealer told me how personally he took it that I wanted my truck for a lower price. Seeing as how I had *never* purchased from them before, it was clear they think about today and not about 2+ years from now. So, I will return that favor by forgetting about them when I want a new vehicle.

If they wanted my continued business they would be thinking better deal now leads to better things for them in the future. Pretty much the only dealer Ill ever go back to is our Lexus dealer because they were uber hands off (take the car, bring it back when you want, that is your test drive), met my price (within reason, because the car had to come on a trade with another dealer) and were nice people in general. That RAM sales manager wouldnt give me the time of day after I agreed on a price.

 

[huntergreen]

I took care of any possible future problems, traded mine for a new taco.

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When, why did you do this ?

 

[Kap1]

I've got a work truck, with a camper shell... So even they'll magically agree to give me a loaner, it'll be mostly useless for me without the camper shell ... And I'll scratch it up with my tools and supplies.

I guess I should negotiate a loaner work van from them

 

[RammerHarder]

I've got a work truck, with a camper shell... So even they'll magically agree to give me a loaner, it'll be mostly useless for me without the camper shell ... And I'll scratch it up with my tools and supplies.

I guess I should negotiate a loaner work van from them

Well if thats what you expect and need, then thats on YOU, to negotiate it BEFORE you sign with the ink stick on your contract.
If the dealer wants your money, then tell them what your deal is, if neither can agree, just walk away. There are plenty of other dealers that need your money.
I dont let dealers run over me... i tell them what i`m willing to pay and get, or i walk. They NEED to sell the vehicle, dosen`t always meen YOU need to buy the vehicle.

Back on track here.... dealers taking forever... call your lawyer, then call FCA. Its amazing how quick you`ll get their attention.
But be nice about it. If you`re an ******* to people, you`ll likely not enjoy what happens to your vehicle while at their place of business.
We all know, that some parts can be on backorder status, it happens... but your service manager`s should be telling you this ahead of time, IF, they know what they`re doing.