Sorry guys, I put this in the wrong place the other day, so I am reposting it here.

I purchased a 2005 4x4 quad cab Cummins diesel dually in June 2005. This is the 5th Dodge diesel one ton I have owned and have never had problems before. This truck has approximately 7000 miles on it and is dead in Hutchinson, Minnesota at the Dodge dealer. They have just told me my warranty is voided due to contaminated fuel. They replaced all 6 injectors and crossover tubes, and drained and cleaned the tank twice, and the truck still doesn't run.

The problems started after purchasing the truck. The power was surging and there was a lot of black smoke. It wouldn't go over 50 mph. The dealer here first said it was the air filter. I took off on a fishing trip to Minnesota from Texas. The truck quit in Durant, Oklahoma. They replaced 6 injectors. After they replaced the injectors, the truck was making a ticking noise like a dead injector. I asked the mechanic and he said the injector was ramping up because the engine was cold.

The truck did make it from there to Hutchinson, Minnesota, but had the same symptoms. They replaced the injectors again. The truck has been there since August 12th. I had to rent a car to drive home and am no closer to getting my truck back. At this point, they said they won't cover any of the repairs and that I should file a claim with my insurance company since I have contaminated fuel. They say it must have been vandalism.

Has anyone had similar problems? I have a lawyer but he has not found anything about this kind of problem with the Cummins diesel. Please help! DiamlerChrysler has already told me that if I pursue this, it is me against them.

 

Man! That Stinks! I'd say it's time for an analysis of the fuel to find out exactly what's in there. If it was bad fuel I guess you really can't hold DC responsible for it.

 

I know this doesn't help any right now, but when you get this thing all sorted out you might want to check into getting a locking fuel cap. If this was vandalism, it can be easily prevented in the future.

Where did you buy the fuel? If it IS contaminated fuel, and it came that way from the station, then I would think you'd be able to make them pay for the repairs.

Good lucking getting it fixed and getting it paid for. I hope it all works out for you.

 

My question would be, How do they know its contaminated?

 

Judging from the symptoms, I think contaminated fuel is a pretty good diagnosis. Still, it would be better if you could get a sample of it and have it tested independently.

 

Hoss has a good point, but if the fuel was contaminated, why didn't the dealership in durant OK catch it when you brought it in. They put injectors in and you drove it further, causing more damage. Due to their lack of troubleshooting. I would be asking for the (bad) parts that was replaced, since your now paying for them.

 

I agree, some sort of lab test to verify the contaminated fuel is in order.

Read this post. http://www.turbodieselregister.com/f...d.php?t=136945

 

that sucks. did they find anything in the fuel filter. ??

 

I am employed at a chrysler dealer and i would have them pin down their theory on contaminated fuel. they better be able to prove it. it would sound like a way to get out of being responsible. end of the story- if you are paying to fix, how are they going to fix it and will it be fixed after they have your money?

 

Since the Dealer in Hutchinson is claiming the fuel is contaminated and voiding your warranty...EXACTLY what is it contaiminated with? Water, Gasoline, or ? Did the WIF light ever come on? What are they basing their "contaminated fuel" conclusion on other than just replacing parts that still has not got it running again - right? I would suggest your attorney ask them for a copy of what fuel lab tests were performed or what was their basis for claiming your fuel was IN FACT contaminated.

Unfortunately, since the tank has been cleaned and flushed I guess its too late for you to obtain a sample yourself and have it analyzed by an independent lab. Is the original fuel filter still in it? That may provide a type of "forensic clue" as to what type of contaminate it MIGHT have had at one time.

What was the mileage when you FIRST noticed the initial symptoms/problem? SInce you stated: ("The problems started after purchasing the truck. The power was surging and there was a lot of black smoke. It wouldn't go over 50 mph. The dealer here first said it was the air filter.") I would think that the first dealer that you originally took it into might have some liability. Obviously their diagnosis was incorrect and sent you on your way to you driving it again un-repaired, which apparently further damaged the engine.

This is one reason I ALWAYS keep all my FUEL RECEIPTS, PAY BY CREDIT CARD and note the OD MILEAGE on them just in case I were to get bad fuel somewhere (No Tickee, No claim). Yep, a locking fuel cap is looking more and more like a good investment to prevent vandalism (or to prevent a dealer from easily claiming vandalism) and to also prevent someone siphoning whats becoming a more and more precious commodity every day.

Maybe another precaution is to always take a fuel sample at the dealer's service area yourself when taking in a truck for any engine related performance or rough running/knocking issue. That way, if they come back and say "your fuel is contaminated" you then send off your sample to an independent lab for confirmation.

What a pain! I wish you success on getting your 05 quickly repaired 100% and hopefully reimbursed by either warranty or insurance.

 

Nothing was found in the fuel filter. They didn't replace it in durant or hutchinson. Durant took three fuel samples at the request of the star center. They took pictures of them and sent to the star center via email. Star center said the fuel was fine. The story goes downhill from there. Everything I have been told concerning this breakdown has been a quess or lie. I found out today that my insurance company will cover the cost of repairing the truck. The total is 11843.00. They are replacing everything except the fuel tank.

 

Hmmm....Are you saying that the fuel analysis that was performed was just a visible look and with emailed pictures? That would not seem like adequate evidence for anyone to void a warranty over, especially since nothing was seen, unless they later had it lab analyzed and found some type of contaminate. Of course, I guess they could claim that it was somehow caused by a previous tank of fuel which caused latent problems to arise but that would seem very circumstantial at best.

Well at least someone else is covering this very large repair bill. Hope they don't hike your insurance rate over this. I would be putting a locking cap on it ASAP to mitigate any further exposure to potential vandalism. Regardless if that is what actually happened, at least your insurance agent might feel that you are doing the right thing.

Now you've made me nervous...Guess we all have to have locking fuel caps/doors and carry around a fuel sample bottle.

 

If star said the fuel was fine then how can they claim it was contaminated and void your warrenty for it? I would definatly get your hands on that filter and have it tested to see what is in it if anything. If they are voiding your warrenty on guesses and not actualy having your fuel tested in a lab then I would definatly be fighting the voided warrenty. I would also DEMAND to see the report if they claim they had it tested and want to know exactly what they claim is in it. Sounds like they are telling you a very LARGE fish story to me.(sorry I couldent resist.)

 

Sounds like they are making quite the profit too by gouging your insurance company (who will raise your rates, but not until after).

 

Rooster: Sorry to hear of your vandalism related problem. Glad the insurance is going to cover it. And am also glad it is not a mechanical problem due to bad engineering. Hope you get your truck back soon and it works like it should. On that note I was chastised the other day for having a locking fuel cap. They said do you lock everything? Just so happens the locking cap was on the truck when I bought it. And after reading about stolen fuel and your fuel vandalism problem I am Dang glad I have one. Cheap insurance.

Dusty.