Horror story

[Eric]

Not sure this is the proper place to share this story however felt it appropriate after reading through Edmund's recent post: "Problem with 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 transmission" in this section.
Dealership incompetence story: So the cool little fuel cap light comes on in my new truck, I tighten the cap and light stays on. With truck at 4k miles I took it in to the dealership. I was told a rodent of some sort had chewed my fuel line open just above the fuel tank and needed to be replaced. Apparently the fuel line is integral to the fuel tank and is comprised of one molded piece. The service department requested that I drive my vehicle to get it as close to empty as possible, in an effort to help make the process easier I did just that. So when I picked up my truck after the work was performed I needed to fill up the tank. Several hours later well after the service department was closed I went to the gas station and filled my tank. As I was driving home I experienced a very strong odor of gasoline. As I drove my truck into my neighborhood the fumes in my truck became unbearable and I had to pull over. When I pulled over I got out and noticed gasoline pouring out from under my truck. The gas gauge was visibly moving from full toward empty. Not knowing what to do I called the dealership and one of the rudest individuals I have ever talked to answered the phone. I tried repeatedly to explain to this woman what I was experiencing and all she would tell me is the service department was closed would I like to leave a message, over and over again. I asked her several times is there someone there or someone you can call for assistance? I can't believe any business that cared about their customer service would continue to employ such a rude person as the face, or as a front line type position. So not knowing what to do at this point with half a tank of gasoline on the ground and continuing to pour out I decided to head to the dealership. I made it there after having to open the windows several times to keep from passing out due to the overwhelming fumes in the cab. Due to the service department being closed I was met with an individual who took my keys and parked my truck, still pouring gasoline, away from the building and told me they would look at it first thing tomorrow. I had to call my wife to come come and pick me up. The next day I showed up early in the morning and was met with apologies and bewilderment as to how this could have happened. I was assured that it would be fixed properly, tested properly and ALL the gasoline would be washed off the underside of my truck and I wouldn't experience any future fumes or odor inside or outside of my truck. I returned later that day and my truck was detailed inside and out and refilled with gas. The inside of the truck had now smelled like some type of air freshened deodorizer etc........ I put my truck in my garage and after only a few hours I returned to find my garage now smells like gas. So now I have a brand new truck that carries an odor of cheap air freshener with an occasional smell of gasoline both inside and out! I was extremely disappointed with the incompetency of the mechanic staff and the rudeness of the dealerships front line staff. I can't believe I paid $1300.00 to have my brand new truck covered in gasoline and smell as bad as it does. Every time I get in the cab the nasty odor will remind me why I hate dealerships! Thank you local Dodge dealership!

 

[iRamPipe]

Damn.

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[chuck]

Wow I'm really sorry to hear you went through that. Even reading that made me angry. Hopefully you won't have to deal with anything like that again. I'd also recommend letting the management there know how rude that one individual was to you when you called after the service department was closed.

At least that way you might be able to save other customers some grief in the future.


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[WhiteExpress]

Mix up some baking soda and water, and spray off under the truck.
It won't cure it, but it'll help minimize the fuel odor.

 

[SILVER_BULLET]

You had to pay for those "repairs"?

 

[Eric]

I claimed it through insurance so didn't pay the entire $1300.00. Yeah the whole ordeal is quite melancholy at best. I save money to put into my truck and this is what I end up spending it on.

 

[Eric]

Baking soda huh? I will give that a shot!

 

[audio1der]

Geez- sorry to hear this.
If the odor inside the truck just won't go away you could tuck an odor absorbing puck under the seat. They don't have much of a smell themselves, but really help control other odors. I use them in my garage after having a cigar and they keep my wife happy.

 

[Eric]

Where would I find said Odor eating puck? I to smoke an occasional cigar at my wife's disapproval!

 

[Chewy]

This sucks! I would HIGHLY recommend you find a detailer that has an ozone generator. They can put it in the cab and it should remove all the smells.

 

[Burla]

Top of the Line detailing supplies and others sell odor bombs, they are aresol cans that you set and forget and contain propellant that pushes the scent through all your fabrics and cracks and crevices. New car scent smells like leather, avoid the floral scents if you try it. They are like foggers, if you use one set it on a newspaper before setting it off, after they go off there may be light wiping in a place or two. When you first get in the truck it may be a strong odor, but it lessens nicely. If the gas fumes don't go away after that, an ozonator may be needed. Anything biological odor and gas is biological, will be eliminated with ozone. Airzone makes a real good ozonator, you need about a 4000mg/hr to do the job right. Will kill all smoke smell too. I was a detailer and this was our process for odor elimination.

On a second point, you have to be a fool to drive a car leaking gas. What is wrong with you? If anyone ever experiences anything like that, please please pull over and have the car towed. You are lucky you are not dying in a burn unit, seriously.

 

[fasthemiram12]

Seriously... I was thinking the same... Who would drive it leaking gas???

I would make the dealer make the smell go away at whatever cost. It was their screwup that caused the smell.

 

[Gunz86]

I guess warranty doesn't cover rodents chewing through a fuel line, I actually can't believe a rat chewed on that line at all. I guess that's there way to justify not having to take care of expenses.

 

[Ocelot]

Yeah, I think I would have claimed ******** and fought it to be a warranty issue. I find it hard to believe a rodent decided to eat through a fuel line hidden above the tank. some dealers will do what they can to rip off people.

It wouldn't even surprise me if they didn't bill Chrysler.

 

[Redtruck-VA]

I find the rodent story unbelievable.

 

[Ocelot]

I don't know anything about dealers inside workings, but don't they get reimbursed from the manufacturer for warranty repairs? Or is it a thing where they get much less?

Ray

 

[Burla]

Rats will eat through fuel lines or electric lines or anything, so it is possible. However, if they ate through the line there would be visible evidence in the middle of the line somewhere. If it was a dealer warranty issue the leak would be at the joint somewhere.

 

[dsw1519]

Eric - did the dealer show you the damaged part? Could you actually see chewing/teeth marks?

 

[BAILEY1]

That sucks to hear.

 

[Eric]

Fool? Ouch that hurts! I have been considered many things by many people.............never a fool. Thinking back however there was probably a better solution. In my defense I was pulling into my brand new neighborhood with my vehicle pouring gas all over the ground. The kind of neighborhood where people would thoroughly enjoy calling the police, fire, EPA etc........ I made a split but calculated decision......."GET OFF THE X!!!" DISCLAIMER: Kids don't try this at home! Believe me this isn't the scariest thing I have ever done.

Yes it was indeed a rodent. I was there the next morning when they put my truck up on the lift. The mechanic showed me the fuel line that was chewed up. The service manager explained to me that they see this and all kinds of rodent damage on a weekly basis. Apparently I got off pretty easy after discussing this issue with some neighbors. The insurance company also informed me that they pay millions each year in claims from rodent damage and their adjusters that they send to the field will attest as such. These guys really love electrical harness' which we all know is worst case scenario for any type of vehicle. Im told I have been spared that nightmare.I live in a wooded lot inundated with squirrels and I am sure I haven't seen the last of their potential. I have found squirrel **** and squirrel fur in my engine compartment on numerous occasions. I have gifts of cracked nuts on my porch every morning etc etc etc...... I have green lit squirrels in my neighborhood..........all the neighborhood kids have been informed that each tail will bring $5.