tmshannon

I go by Chilton labor guide times as long as it's a stock vehicle. Certain things will extend the time, rust, aftermarket add-ons, etc..those have to be added on. My inexperience cannot be a factor, though... If it is stock, and I have never performed the job....it may take longer...just the way it is. Other jobs I can beat time on....it all evens out and makes it honest. Next time that job comes around I may know a shortcut and will do the job quicker, thus gaining my time back from the previous job.

For all of you not familiar with the recall on '08-'11 Ford Escape and Mariner Electric Power Steering.... https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/21386595/RCMN-14V284-2543.pdf Now, I have a customer with a vehicle that is actually in the recall. The vehicle loses power steering erratically, the steering wheel vibrates with a slight pressure on it. She took it in to her normal dealer (not closest dealer) to have them look at it because she was having steering problems and also because she recently received the recall letter. Apparently, they scanned for codes and found none,(it has shown a B2278 , though, everytime it's been here since the problem started showing up), so, according to the pdf posted, they were to only reprogram. They did. Didn't make a difference, of course. I'm wondering if they just "say" there was no code so they could charge for problems after the recall was completed..... Anyway....she brings it to my shop today. I check it out, find B2278 again...go over her recall papers, do a little research and then have a friend do an Oasis report.... I come to find out that the local dealer has claimed to have done the recall, and actually claimed to have replaced the torque sensor per the instructions in the pdf I posted.....However, she has never had her Escape in that dealership and won't.... Now....since two dealerships have performed two different operations to complete the recall, (I'm sure one of those is going to be kicked back by FoMoCo)......how does she go about getting her problem fixed without paying for it out of her own pocket since clearly, neither dealership planned on actually fixing the problem? I want to raise hell and help her out, but I know that both dealerships probably want nothing more than to cover their own butts now, and FoMoCo would rather talk to the owner of the vehicle and not an independent shop like mine. Thank you for any ideas or help.

My experience with insurance companies and/or aftermarket extended warranties? Fine, I'll work for what you want me to, but your customer pays the rest. I do not lower my price, sorry. The customer is not happy with THEIR extended warranty and they learn from it. I've dealt with too many aftermarket warranty companies that are just bullheaded enough that they do not care. Travis

Shenandoah, or Firelake, now. I've ran Clean Burns, and although they work fine, they always seemed to be high maintenance. I clean out my Shenandoah once a year and spray the inside down with wd-40 or equivalent. Clean the tip every now and then when it wants to plug and keep the pickup pipe at least 6 inches off the bottom of the barrel will help greatly. My current Shenandoah is right around 20 years old. Travis