[tmanscrew]

Here's the deal, my truck is at dealership with bad head gaskets. Have ford diesel care ESP(only reason I took it to shop instead of doing myself). They told me ford has to pre-approve all warranty work, which makes sense. But, problem is they called me and told me ford would not approve the job until the heads are inspected to see if they are warped or cracked! Well, once they tear it down I am screwed if ford decides not to cover! I am planning on being there when they open the doors in the mornin. What should I do????!!!???

 

[Tuscany]

There's a 99% chance the heads are warped and about 75% chance at least one is cracked. That's good that they want to get the heads checked. What's the problem?? If the heads are warped or cracked than they can't say that's your fault.

 

[tmanscrew]

Tuscany, that's exactly the problem. Guy at dealership says they may say they aren't covering because the truck was run hot for extended time and that is what caused heads to warp/crack, then say they are not covering because of owner neglect or something like that! I don't know, maybe I'm gettin the wrong feelin about it. Just not sure why they would not go ahead and approve the gaskets to start with and heads once they are removed and if they are found to be bad. Just sounds like they are forcing me take a gamble!

 

[Tuscany]

Then if they deny the claim tell them your getting a lawyer and contacting the bbb that seems to usually light the fire under their azz. This is exactly why I don't like these aftermarket extended warranties. They are worthless.

 

[Snake]

That doesn't sound like a place I'd want to work on my truck. If they're already coming up with a way to deny the warranty work before they've even torn the truck down, it doesn't look promising. As mentioned, heads have warped and / or cracked under normal use. I wouldn't hedge my bets on them covering anything.

 

[southend]

Your concern is understandable and justified.

Sent from my phone that somebody didn't help me get.

 

[powerstrOKIE]

If they worded it just like you did then they never said that if they weren't in fact warped or cracked they WOULDN'T cover it. Just as you stated they wanted them checked first. If they are warped or cracked they will replace then do the rest of the warranty work. Sounds like they are being thorough. That's a good thing.

 

[tmanscrew]

Tuscany, this is not an AM warranty, it's Ford ESP! Okie, their exact words were they did the test on gaskets and sent the numbers to ford. All test they did indicate blown head gasket/gaskets. However, they would not authorize the replacement of the gaskets until they remove the heads and have them checked for warp/cracks. From the way the mechanic talked, and he has worked on my truck before and replaced turbo under this same ESP, heads would only warp or crack if the truck was run hot for an extended period of time, which it has not been. Just wondering if I need to go have a face to face talk and find out what's goin on? Like the post above said, if they are warped/cracked how is it automatically my fault?!?

 

[Tuscany]

That's the thing it may or may not be your fault but they are going to pin the blame on you to keep from paying for this repair. Either tell them how it's gonna be or take it elsewhere to a different dealer and find out what they think about it. It has been proven many times over that even brand new OEM heads from ford are warped and still need to be machined before installation so their claims of user abuse are bogus. Good luck hope it works out. But I would also suggest ponying up the dough for a set of arp's while they do it and also go pick up your heads and take them to a machine shop and have them checked out by them on your dime as ford will only check them with a straight edge and feeler gauge and visually check for cracks.

 

[tmanscrew]

It just seems like I'm being held over the cliff, so to speak. Once it torn down if Ford decides not to cover it, I'm basically screwed! Does a person have any recourse in a situation like this or is their decision not to cover pretty much final. Once again, if not for the Ford ESP I would be attempting this job myself anyway.

 

[Tuscany]

That's why I said in an earlier post that if they deny it call a lawyer and have them get in touch with them and the bbb they will do it after that. They always try to deny a claim for any reason possible but they will eventually crack under the legal pressures being applied.

 

[tmanscrew]

I really hope it doesn't come to that, Tuscany, but who knows. I went and had a sit down talk with the service manager this morning and he said he doesn't think its going to be a problem, its just the "jumping through hoops" that Ford makes you do to get warranty work approved. He and the mechanic both think the heads will check out ok since the truck was not run hot for any excessive length of time and based on past experience. Hopefully, it will all work out and Ford covers. I guess if they don't I will put all the parts in the bed and pull her back home and finish the job myself.

 

[Tuscany]

Just make sure to drop off a set of arp head studs with extra torque lube from arp and make sure to take the heads to a good machine shop to have them checked and decked.

 

[tmanscrew]

Yep, left the ARP's and new oil cooler with them. Gonna put the coolant filter system on when I get it back. Hopefully, if we can get it fixed this time I will be done with it! Did not get any extra torque lube, though. How critical is that? Is what they send not enough?

 

[Tuscany]

No what they send is a joke lol.