The Dodge Saga

Hello there,

When we last met I was blathering on about my reflections of the A to Z challenge.

It is over.  I enjoyed it and now on to other things.

Update on my truck:

A few months ago I noticed a strange ticking noise coming from the engine compartment on my 2011 Dodge Ram.  This truck has always been my baby and I take care of it as such.  I was quite perturbed by the noise.

I first heard the noise at the tail end of the winter.  A cold snap had swept through the great mitten state and temperatures were down into the single digits.  My truck was due for an oil change (of course) and I braved the elements and performed the necessary work.  Crawling under the truck on a 2-degree concrete floor is not much fun but mileage is mileage. 

The very next day is when I heard the ticking noise.  The colder it was outside the louder the noise was.

I was troubled to say the least.  So I took the truck to the dealership, as it was still under warranty.  There were two recalls that had to be tended to as well.  I discussed the noise with the service lady and she said her tech would look into it.

She called me back the next day and said they couldn’t hear the noise.  I presumed it was too warm out.  It seemed to only make the noise when cold.  I picked up my truck and life went on as usual.  I heard the noise again a few times but only faintly and it went away quick.  The temps were warming steadily as spring approached.

Shortly after the temps dropped again into the 20’s and 30’s and the nose came back with a vengeance.  I made an appointment with the dealership again and this time they heard it.

It took them a week to make any repairs and I had to fight with them to get a rental car.  Chrysler is pretty stingy with money I guess, even under warranted vehicles.  After 4 days, they caved and gave me a rental mini-van.  (The guys at work were pretty hard on me for driving a mini)

So Chrysler tells the tech to replace the connecting rod bearings in the engine.  All 8 of them.  So he does.  I pick up the truck.  I don’t hear the noise again, for a while that is.  Within 150 miles, the noise comes back.  This time it makes noise cold or warm.  I get funny looks when I start it.

So I call them back.  Ok just bring it in and we will look at it.  Apparently they assume that it is super easy for folks to just drop their vehicles off at random and arrange for pick-up as well as rides to and from work.  I immediately ask her about a rental.  She says if you don’t hear from us by Friday then tell them to give you a rental because I won’t be here.  I’m on vacation in a couple hours.

So I call on Friday and I get the run-around.  They have not even heard from Chrysler on what to do next.  It has been 3 days now.  I need a car to get back and forth to work and I begin to get a little “scratchy” on the phone.  After speaking with three different people the manager gets on the phone and relinquishes a rental car to me.  I call the rental car place and ask them for a truck.  Not a mini-van.  I am right in the middle of spring projects like gardening and such and I need a truck to haul stuff.

Nope, I get another mini-van.  A week goes by without any progress at the dealership and while hauling bags of compost in the back of the dastardly min-van I discover the license plates have expired back in March.  I call the rental and ask them to swap it out with a truck. 

“Sorry sir, we don’t have any trucks right now.  I can get you one by Friday.”

“Ok, I’ll wait the two days and see you on Friday.”

The very same day I get a voicemail from the dealership.  It seems that Chrysler wants to replace the entire engine.  They don’t even know what is wrong or what caused it.  Just replace it.  The voice on the message tells me that the new engine will arrive on Monday and they should have it fixed within a day or so after. 

 I call the rental.  No, we do not have a truck, but we can put you in a car.  I don’t want to drive a car and haul lumber and mulch and topsoil in the trunk.  I’ll stick with the expired plate mini-van I tell the guy in my most snotty tone.  Such great customer service.

An entire week goes by again and I get another call from the dealership telling me that their service techs have been out sick all week and no one has even touched my truck, but we should have it done by early next week.

I call the rental place.  I have a trip to make, a couple hour drive and I don’t want to use expired plates.  I guess I’ll trade down to a car.  He tells me he has another mini-van he can put me in now.  I accept and I tell him that I will be there the next day for a trade. 

On my way there, he calls and tells me that a truck has just shown up and that I can have that.  Late, but oh well.  So now I have a brand new Dodge Ram 1500 loaded truck to drive.  Now I want to call the dealership and tell them to take their sweet time.  LOL

So anyways that is the current saga on my truck.  Not to mention all the other garbage that is taking place right now.  I think my hair might be totally gray by the time summer is over.

Stay tuned for part two of Bushman’s egregious beginning to summer.

Later,

Bushman