Mechanic-Legal Question??

[acearrow]

Did he warn you about the plug issues before he started? When I worked at a dealership, we stood behind our work. If it was something we could have prevented or it was our fault, it was handled. Needless to say, the mechanics on flag hours got a little bent out of shape over some of the cases where we took care of the customer but it was all about customer service. Sounds like this guy is not to worried about customer satisfaction. If he warned you about the plug falling before hand then I can somewhat understand but would think he would make some kind of deal. 18 hours for one head removal is a bit on the crazy side. I have seen engines done for that many hours. Don't know what part of the spark plug fell in. If it was the threaded part, the tool falling in is really not an issue. He would have had to pull the head with or without the tool. Don't guess this helps you much but talk to him and see if he is willing to work with you. If he doesn't, take your truck elsewhere and share the story with your company and convince them to do business elsewhere. You can have that done for a lot less than 18 hours.

[Shiner]

I do not want to get in the middle of this, But, this is a 5.4, OVERHEAD cam engine. The procedure from alldata and Mitchell is to pull the engine fist, Yes, pull the engine, Then you have to pull the front complete timing cover off the engine to remove timing chains so you then can pull the heads. This POS 5.4 is not comman to all other V8's we are accustomed to. Alldatas flat rate is 18.2 hours to pull 1 head. 21.8 to pull both

[hyperlitejb]

Problem resolved, we came to the agreement that what he first quoted me is what I will have to pay. Thanks for all the advice.

[Bowwiz]

Alldata is right ,i did a head job on a 5.4 working on flat rate in a flat bay at a shop in Austin,no lift..(spark plug blow out threads in head) It was the last 1-i'll ever do. Another Ford better idea.F-series has to be the most uncomfortable engine compartment i've ever worked in.

[Bowwiz]

Problem resolved, we came to the agreement that what he first quoted me is what I will have to pay. Thanks for all the advice.

Glad to hear it!

[BrianL]

Lesson to Frod 5.4 owners, DON"T change your sparkplugs!

[Shiner]

Way to get it done,HL. Good Job
I love diplomacy

[Reaper]

If he will not be reasonable, insist that the reason for the work was that he dropped his tool into the cylinder on the receipt- for your personal liability insurance policy which your agent said would cover your cost to fix it.

Then with the receipt saying that, either pay with a cc and immediately contest the charge with your cc company, or if pay with a check and then stop payment on the check. Let him drag you into court to stand in front of a judge to explain why when he dropped his tool into your engine why he thinks he's entitled to your money to fix his screw-up. Or settle with him for what you think he's owed.

Neither is going to make a friend, but he's already told you what he thinks about having you as a new friend.

well said Bill

[Txnrog]

Paying a lawyer friend $150 to draft up a letter on official letter head might be worth it. Not that you'd probably follow thru with something that small, but the letter usually does it. Or you could take it to Judge Judy. . .