I'm out on Valentines day and the surround time around it.

mantis · February 13

Allow me to explain.
Last year I was loading a 77 inch OLED Sony TV onto our van off our loading dock. My Partner pulled it a bit to fast before I could get my hand in the hand slot to carry it. It fell off the dock and I tried to catch it with the other hand and ripped my bicep clean off the bone, I had to have surgery and I was out of work for 6 months last year.

So this year , as a wire nut as most of you know but this time it was professional wiring. A guy on Facebook market place was selling an unused Dadario Mini Pedalboard wire kit. This allows you to build your own cables for your guitar pedal board . It's a solder less design which I already use them now. I have a full Dadario pedalboard wired with Dadario cables I built all myself . I don't need this kit but at the price he was selling a brand new un used kit was excellent and I was just going to go get it. Well I jumped in my SRT Durango which I don't drive daily just when I want to , I was on my way to meeting him and I saw smoke out the back of the truck mores than just cold weather exhaust. Then on the hood, it has a SRT hood with vents and there was smoke coming out the vents. So l was just about to pass Advanced Auto Parts store and I pulled into their parking lot to see what the hell, I didn't drive through a puddle or anything why is it smoking??

Well I Poppe the hood and there was antifreeze coming from the drivers side low to back of the engine area. I couldn't see the actual leak but it was enough to drain the coolant overflow tank. So I went into he Parts store, picked up ready to use coolant for Mopars and filled the overflow tank back up. I noticed the radiator cap was semi cool, which means no pressure. So I opened it and it was low there 2. So I filled it with the remaining coolant I had in the gallon and closed it up. Started the truck and still couldn't find the leak but it was leaking. So I turned it off. Called for a tow truck and had it flat bedded to my dealership.

In the meantime I called the guy who I was trying to buy the cable kit from and explained why I wasn't coming.

I have a 7year 100k mile warranty from Dodge and another overlapping warranty to cover Anything the Dodge warranty doesn't . So I don't have to pay for the repairs but I did have to pay fro the towing , cost me $200 bucks $180 plus I tipped the driver $20 for taking such care of my Truck. He said he transports a lot of high end cars and using cloth straps and even onto hooks , they have these covers so they don't scratch anything even on the suspension or underside of the vehicle. They do a lot of classics as well and he knows how car guys are with their cars and they take extra care when towing or transporting anyones ride. I really appreciated that so I gave him a nice tip. It was only a 15 minute ride to the dealership and even there, he took really good care of my ride putting it into a spot where I wasn't going to get a door ding . That's pretty damn good.

But this is the second time I had something bad go on around or on Valentines day so I told my wife next year I'm staying home, don't bother to decorate the house, we are not celebrating the day and I'm staying out of harms way the best I can.

treitz3 · February 14

Feeling lonely? Need someone to talk too? Long COVID anxiety kicking in again? Off the meds?

I have left you alone for quite some time, but really? Is this becoming the Days of Our Lives or what?

Post after post.....eh, never mind. My guess is that you prefer quantity over quality posts. My apologies for being so direct Dan, but dang.

Touting belongings and generosity, while at the same time, offering tales of woe....apparently trying to garner sympathy...for what? What is it that you are seeking here? There has been an uptick of posts by you and...

Eh, never mind. I shouldn't have posted this. But then again? Awe heck. I'm gonna have a date with the pillow, next to my wife and sleep perfectly fine. Carry on with whatever it is you are trying to accomplish. Who knows, maybe I am violating some sort of ADA rule.

Tom

HzTweaker · February 14

I doubt the engine has two water pumps (like one on the backside of the engine) so my guess is its the heater core/hose?

Or maybe if it has a coolant pipe that runs in the valley (in-between both banks) under the intake manifold, it could have cracked or had an o-ring fail.

Let us know the skinny.

bcwsrt · February 14

Accidents happen and cars break.

My wife lost both her parents (on separate occasions), one very near and the other actually on, Mother’s Day.

I’m glad she’s mature enough to not be superstitious about the date and ruin it for the rest of the family by planning on disaster to strike.

Emlyn · February 14

Is that the 392 Hemi? Hopefully it's just a coolant leak, but those are known to self destruct and it sounds like more than just a coolant system issue. Good call on not trying to drive it further while the engine pumping smoke.

mantis · February 14

Emlyn wrote: »

Is that the 392 Hemi? Hopefully it's just a coolant leak, but those are known to self destruct and it sounds like more than just a coolant system issue. Good call on not trying to drive it further while the engine pumping smoke.

Yes it is. From what I have learned the Durango SRT has a few Coolant issues shared with the rest of the Durango lines. There is a plastic pipe behind the engine that cracks over time and leaks.
There is also a coolant line that runs to the transmission that rubs on the frame and then creates a leak. The Coolant overflow bottle can crack and leak which I don't think this is my issue, it's on the other side of the engine. Then there is the hoses that go to the heater core. They can come loose and cause a leak. I'll find out next week what happened. Hopefully it's minor, even if it's major, it's covered under warranty.

It's fine, it's the first time in like over 25 years I purchased a used car. They stopped making the SRT Durango in 2025 when I went to buy one and had to go used unless I settled for a R/T with the 5.7L HEMI or go broke and buy a Durango hellcat which I feel are way over priced. Honestly the 392' are overpriced as well but doable.

skipshot12 · February 14

Did you find out what was wrong with the coolant system?

mantis · February 14

skipshot12 wrote: »

Did you find out what was wrong with the coolant system?

No, not yet. I got it towed to the dealership yesterday afternoon and they don't work on issues on Saturdays, just maintenance items, they only run a 1/2 day on Saturday so I expect them to look at it sometime next week.

Emlyn · February 14

Good call on getting the extended warranty! I loved the 2012 Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi I had but ditched it not too long after the warranty was up. No problems with the engine or transmission while I had it but it had other issues.

mantis · February 14

Emlyn wrote: »

Good call on getting the extended warranty! I loved the 2012 Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi I had but ditched it not too long after the warranty was up. No problems with the engine or transmission while I had it but it had other issues.

I like those years myself and better then at the current offerings . If I found a nice clean Track hawk or SRT Jeep like a 2018-2020 model year, I would consider it, that body style is awesome.

mantis · February 16

skipshot12 wrote: »

Did you find out what was wrong with the coolant system?

Yes I just did today, the coolant lines going to the heatercore split. Both of them. It's $2000 job as it takes 6 hours of labor to replace 1 and I need 2. This is also not covered under warranty as it's hoses not mechanical. I call **** on that but we shall see where that goes.

6 months in on an ownership of a very expensive used Truck and it already needs $2000 of repairs in 5k miles of driving it. Doesn't make me a very happy owner. I understand things happen but the service department told me it's not normal for them to go that early. They also told me it already had a water pump done to it at 29k miles. So now that is 2 things that went wrong with the truck in under 35k miles.

pitdogg2 · February 16

Welcome to the world of MOPAR, Some last forever, most die in the middle of nowhere outside of cell service....
Look how lucky you were .....

mhardy6647 · February 16

pitdogg2 wrote: »

Welcome to the world of MOPAR, Some last forever, most die in the middle of nowhere outside of cell service....
Look how lucky you were .....

yup.
...
It's kind of nice nice to know that some things in this crazy modern world are still constant.

bcwsrt · February 16

You guys!! 😝😂

Upstatemax · February 16

mantis wrote: »

skipshot12 wrote: »

Did you find out what was wrong with the coolant system?

Yes I just did today, the coolant lines going to the heatercore split. Both of them. It's $2000 job as it takes 6 hours of labor to replace 1 and I need 2. This is also not covered under warranty as it's hoses not mechanical. I call **** on that but we shall see where that goes.

6 months in on an ownership of a very expensive used Truck and it already needs $2000 of repairs in 5k miles of driving it. Doesn't make me a very happy owner. I understand things happen but the service department told me it's not normal for them to go that early. They also told me it already had a water pump done to it at 29k miles. So now that is 2 things that went wrong with the truck in under 35k miles.

There are occasions that some manufacturers will do "good will" repairs. Hopefully they give you a break.

My Volvo XC60 had its sunroof seal replaced under "good will" from Volvo when they told me it needed to be replaced and it was a $750 repair that the Volvo warranty wouldn't cover as it was a seal.

They wanted to ignore the fact that the seal in question was a known problem and had an updated part because the faulty rubber used in the original seal would rapidly shrink...

pitdogg2 · February 16

bcwsrt wrote: »

You guys!! 😝😂

Well I actually am a Mopar fan, I did learn from experience AT an early age. Road Runners, ex cop car Monaco with a 440 4bbl, Plymouth Satellite (it was a pig) Dodge club cab trucks, Chrysler Cordoba the list goes on. Then I found an extreme Ford/Lincoln mechanic who tought me a ton knowledge and that is where I stand today.
Back in my Mopar days I kept parts in the trunk or bed, just in case.....

bcwsrt · February 16

You do have a couple NICE FoMoCo units! Turned out to be a pretty mild winter after all, but hope the Fluid Film and equivalents kept the pickup minty!

tratliff · February 16

Upstatemax wrote: »

mantis wrote: »

skipshot12 wrote: »

Did you find out what was wrong with the coolant system?

Yes I just did today, the coolant lines going to the heatercore split. Both of them. It's $2000 job as it takes 6 hours of labor to replace 1 and I need 2. This is also not covered under warranty as it's hoses not mechanical. I call **** on that but we shall see where that goes.

6 months in on an ownership of a very expensive used Truck and it already needs $2000 of repairs in 5k miles of driving it. Doesn't make me a very happy owner. I understand things happen but the service department told me it's not normal for them to go that early. They also told me it already had a water pump done to it at 29k miles. So now that is 2 things that went wrong with the truck in under 35k miles.

There are occasions that some manufacturers will do "good will" repairs. Hopefully they give you a break.

My Volvo XC60 had its sunroof seal replaced under "good will" from Volvo when they told me it needed to be replaced and it was a $750 repair that the Volvo warranty wouldn't cover as it was a seal.

They wanted to ignore the fact that the seal in question was a known problem and had an updated part because the faulty rubber used in the original seal would rapidly shrink...

Volvo customer service and buyer experience is at a much higher level.

HzTweaker · February 16

HzTweaker wrote: »

I doubt the engine has two water pumps (like one on the backside of the engine) so my guess is its the heater core/hose?

mantis wrote: »

Yes I just did today, the coolant lines going to the heatercore split.

Called it!

Sorry for your bad luck Dan. Hopefully the dealer will help you out and cover some of the cost.

daddyjt · February 16

mantis wrote: »

skipshot12 wrote: »

Did you find out what was wrong with the coolant system?

Yes I just did today, the coolant lines going to the heatercore split. Both of them. It's $2000 job as it takes 6 hours of labor to replace 1 and I need 2. This is also not covered under warranty as it's hoses not mechanical. I call **** on that but we shall see where that goes.

6 months in on an ownership of a very expensive used Truck and it already needs $2000 of repairs in 5k miles of driving it. Doesn't make me a very happy owner. I understand things happen but the service department told me it's not normal for them to go that early. They also told me it already had a water pump done to it at 29k miles. So now that is 2 things that went wrong with the truck in under 35k miles.

SIX HOURS to replace heater core hose(s)? That is a failure of engineering…. I’ve heard many mechanics say that designers/engineers should be required to spend several months as a mechanic - how things look under the hood would be drastically different if that were the case.

Joey_V · February 17

I hate unexpected stuff too.

I was on a trip w the family in Chicago just this past New Years. Rented from Avis, Chevy Suburban. I thought it was a great family suv… good power, nice exhaust sound, comfortable. Then the engine blew. Limited to 25mph, limped back to Avis hub and exchanged it for another large suv. Good thing the wife and kids were at the in-laws while I did the midnight ice run to Ohare.

Upstatemax · February 17

tratliff wrote: »

Upstatemax wrote: »

mantis wrote: »

skipshot12 wrote: »

Did you find out what was wrong with the coolant system?

Yes I just did today, the coolant lines going to the heatercore split. Both of them. It's $2000 job as it takes 6 hours of labor to replace 1 and I need 2. This is also not covered under warranty as it's hoses not mechanical. I call **** on that but we shall see where that goes.

6 months in on an ownership of a very expensive used Truck and it already needs $2000 of repairs in 5k miles of driving it. Doesn't make me a very happy owner. I understand things happen but the service department told me it's not normal for them to go that early. They also told me it already had a water pump done to it at 29k miles. So now that is 2 things that went wrong with the truck in under 35k miles.

There are occasions that some manufacturers will do "good will" repairs. Hopefully they give you a break.

My Volvo XC60 had its sunroof seal replaced under "good will" from Volvo when they told me it needed to be replaced and it was a $750 repair that the Volvo warranty wouldn't cover as it was a seal.

They wanted to ignore the fact that the seal in question was a known problem and had an updated part because the faulty rubber used in the original seal would rapidly shrink...

Volvo customer service and buyer experience is at a much higher level.

Probably highly dealer dependent, and I genuinely despised my local Volvo dealer. They are the only Volvo dealer for a long distance and they take full advantage of it. Price gouging, high pressure sales techniques in the service department, in zero rush to get your car in, and once it's there, take forever doing basic service. I'm pretty confident they can offer "good will" repairs (3 for the life of the vehicle) because they are gouging so much everywhere else.

Volvo themselves are slipping as well. They like to lock basic features (like remote start) behind an expensive app subscription. They removed the function of being able to get basic remote diagnostics when the car notifies that it needs service (forcing you into the dealer that aggressively tries to sell to you...), I had several quality issues with that XC60 that was out of character compared to my older Volvo vehicles...

Funny enough, the absolute best customer service and buying experience I've received so far has been from Ford for my 25' Explorer ST. Service can be booked quickly and easily over the app or from the vehicle, they come and pick it up from my home or work and return it quickly (and if I need it, leave a loaner vehicle), no features locked behind expensive subscriptions...

tratliff · February 17

Upstatemax wrote: »

tratliff wrote: »

Upstatemax wrote: »

mantis wrote: »

skipshot12 wrote: »

Did you find out what was wrong with the coolant system?

Yes I just did today, the coolant lines going to the heatercore split. Both of them. It's $2000 job as it takes 6 hours of labor to replace 1 and I need 2. This is also not covered under warranty as it's hoses not mechanical. I call **** on that but we shall see where that goes.

6 months in on an ownership of a very expensive used Truck and it already needs $2000 of repairs in 5k miles of driving it. Doesn't make me a very happy owner. I understand things happen but the service department told me it's not normal for them to go that early. They also told me it already had a water pump done to it at 29k miles. So now that is 2 things that went wrong with the truck in under 35k miles.

There are occasions that some manufacturers will do "good will" repairs. Hopefully they give you a break.

My Volvo XC60 had its sunroof seal replaced under "good will" from Volvo when they told me it needed to be replaced and it was a $750 repair that the Volvo warranty wouldn't cover as it was a seal.

They wanted to ignore the fact that the seal in question was a known problem and had an updated part because the faulty rubber used in the original seal would rapidly shrink...

Volvo customer service and buyer experience is at a much higher level.

Probably highly dealer dependent, and I genuinely despised my local Volvo dealer. They are the only Volvo dealer for a long distance and they take full advantage of it. Price gouging, high pressure sales techniques in the service department, in zero rush to get your car in, and once it's there, take forever doing basic service. I'm pretty confident they can offer "good will" repairs (3 for the life of the vehicle) because they are gouging so much everywhere else.

Volvo themselves are slipping as well. They like to lock basic features (like remote start) behind an expensive app subscription. They removed the function of being able to get basic remote diagnostics when the car notifies that it needs service (forcing you into the dealer that aggressively tries to sell to you...), I had several quality issues with that XC60 that was out of character compared to my older Volvo vehicles...

Funny enough, the absolute best customer service and buying experience I've received so far has been from Ford for my 25' Explorer ST. Service can be booked quickly and easily over the app or from the vehicle, they come and pick it up from my home or work and return it quickly (and if I need it, leave a loaner vehicle), no features locked behind expensive subscriptions...

You may be correct. My wife and I have been very happy with our dealer in Texas as we are on our 3rd and actually turned one back in for a replacement after 6 weeks, and no additional cost. Long story but they, dealer and Volvo, really stepped up.

mantis · February 18

Joey_V wrote: »

I hate unexpected stuff too.

I was on a trip w the family in Chicago just this past New Years. Rented from Avis, Chevy Suburban. I thought it was a great family suv… good power, nice exhaust sound, comfortable. Then the engine blew. Limited to 25mph, limped back to Avis hub and exchanged it for another large suv. Good thing the wife and kids were at the in-laws while I did the midnight ice run to Ohare.

Chevy is known for V8 engine issues over the last so many years. As old of a company as they are and as good of an engine builder they have been, they still bring in people at the top that make very poor business decisions to go with cheaper parts and then have the most insane amount of issues. Totally unacceptable for a company like them but there you have it.

Sucks that happened to you, at least you don't own it.

Upstatemax · February 18

tratliff wrote: »

Upstatemax wrote: »

tratliff wrote: »

Upstatemax wrote: »

mantis wrote: »

skipshot12 wrote: »

Did you find out what was wrong with the coolant system?

Yes I just did today, the coolant lines going to the heatercore split. Both of them. It's $2000 job as it takes 6 hours of labor to replace 1 and I need 2. This is also not covered under warranty as it's hoses not mechanical. I call **** on that but we shall see where that goes.

6 months in on an ownership of a very expensive used Truck and it already needs $2000 of repairs in 5k miles of driving it. Doesn't make me a very happy owner. I understand things happen but the service department told me it's not normal for them to go that early. They also told me it already had a water pump done to it at 29k miles. So now that is 2 things that went wrong with the truck in under 35k miles.

There are occasions that some manufacturers will do "good will" repairs. Hopefully they give you a break.

My Volvo XC60 had its sunroof seal replaced under "good will" from Volvo when they told me it needed to be replaced and it was a $750 repair that the Volvo warranty wouldn't cover as it was a seal.

They wanted to ignore the fact that the seal in question was a known problem and had an updated part because the faulty rubber used in the original seal would rapidly shrink...

Volvo customer service and buyer experience is at a much higher level.

Probably highly dealer dependent, and I genuinely despised my local Volvo dealer. They are the only Volvo dealer for a long distance and they take full advantage of it. Price gouging, high pressure sales techniques in the service department, in zero rush to get your car in, and once it's there, take forever doing basic service. I'm pretty confident they can offer "good will" repairs (3 for the life of the vehicle) because they are gouging so much everywhere else.

Volvo themselves are slipping as well. They like to lock basic features (like remote start) behind an expensive app subscription. They removed the function of being able to get basic remote diagnostics when the car notifies that it needs service (forcing you into the dealer that aggressively tries to sell to you...), I had several quality issues with that XC60 that was out of character compared to my older Volvo vehicles...

Funny enough, the absolute best customer service and buying experience I've received so far has been from Ford for my 25' Explorer ST. Service can be booked quickly and easily over the app or from the vehicle, they come and pick it up from my home or work and return it quickly (and if I need it, leave a loaner vehicle), no features locked behind expensive subscriptions...

You may be correct. My wife and I have been very happy with our dealer in Texas as we are on our 3rd and actually turned one back in for a replacement after 6 weeks, and no additional cost. Long story but they, dealer and Volvo, really stepped up.

In all honesty, it really irritates me how a dealer can ruin the whole experience.

At the core of it, I really like Volvo cars. The way they look, the way they drive, they still have the best seats in the business (IMO)...

I would still have the XC60 if fate didn't intervene. We had purchased the Explorer ST for my wife and 6 weeks later, she moved to a new role at her work and the new role has a company car...

So now we had an extra vehicle; a paid off Volvo that I liked, but was getting frustrated with, and a brand new Ford that I would've taken a financial bath getting rid of it so soon.

Decided to keep the Ford and sell the Volvo. It just made the most sense in the moment, and I really liked the Ford's engine, brakes, extra space, and the dealer is soooo much better and closer.

mantis · February 21

Got the truck back yesterday. $2335.53 later. This left a bad taste in my mouth about purchasing used which I have not done in well over 20 years or more.

I have 2 warranties and warranties don't cover hoses. And of course this was a very expensive hose well 3 hose replacement job. The labor alone was $1840.00 which is 7 hours at $230 per hour.

motorhead43026 · February 21

So if this had been a warrantable repair the fact that inferior or defective parts were use when assembled wouldn’t have tasted as bad?
And I can’t help notice the that cheap worm gear hose clamp.

If you had bought this brand new really doubt the outcome would have been any different. But still sucks to have to shell out
that coin for by all appearances is still a new car.

Upstatemax · February 21

mantis wrote: »

The labor alone was $1840.00 which is 7 hours at $230 per hour.

$230/hr labor rate?!

A HIGH labor rate in my area is about $170/hr (luxury brands), non luxury (like Dodge) is about $120/hr.

That’s in the Saratoga, NY region.

Where are you located?

mantis · February 21

Upstatemax wrote: »

mantis wrote: »

The labor alone was $1840.00 which is 7 hours at $230 per hour.

$230/hr labor rate?!

A HIGH labor rate in my area is about $170/hr (luxury brands), non luxury (like Dodge) is about $120/hr.

That’s in the Saratoga, NY region.

Where are you located?

Lower Bucks County PA North of Philadelphia.

Upstatemax · February 21

mantis wrote: »

Upstatemax wrote: »

mantis wrote: »

The labor alone was $1840.00 which is 7 hours at $230 per hour.

$230/hr labor rate?!

A HIGH labor rate in my area is about $170/hr (luxury brands), non luxury (like Dodge) is about $120/hr.

That’s in the Saratoga, NY region.

Where are you located?

Lower Bucks County PA North of Philadelphia.

Quick internet search shows average auto labor rate in your area is $120-$170/hr (at a dealership), and $90-$130/hr at independent shops.

My area shows identical data, actually intendant shops show a slightly higher rate of $100-$165/hr.

$230/hr at a Dodge dealer is highway robbery.

I honestly don't want to rub salt in a wound, but I would've laughed in their face with that estimate and had the vehicle towed to another shop.

polrbehr · February 22

IMHO, it seems dealerships are mostly used for warranty work (at least that's how I use them lol). Warranty work can't be billed out but the techs make the same money regardless of which hood they're under. So it almost makes sense that they hammer people on jobs that are not covered; my local Ford dealer charges like $245/hr for "high end" vehicles like Lincolns and Raptors. But there's a big sign on the wall in the service dept. showing all the labor rates for different groups of vehicles, so when you go there, you have every right to say no thanks.

I have no inside info on this, it's just an observation from the cheap seats, though the local shop that I typically use now charges $150/hr, so $200+ isn't a big uptick. And since this is about cars... YMMV.

I'm out on Valentines day and the surround time around it.

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