QuestionI have a 2003 ford 250 super duty diesel, i have a transmission situation with my insurance co. 9/2006 we had a hurricane and flood, the garage had around 36" of water in it for about 10 hours. after the water left i had the oil changed in the garage, i couldn't move it because of the mud on the road. 11/2006 took it to Ford and did the 30,000 service and they changed all the oils. Around 11/2007 the transmission started to act up a little. trans slips and neutralizes from park to drive or reverse, takes a long time for trans to engage. after tear down, ford said (found excessive water in trany). So new trany at $4,700. Sent this to my insurance co. They only want to pay $1,600. they claim i did the damage by driving the truck. This time frame the truck went about 8,000 miles. Everything was working O K until the 11/2007 time. I think i have a claims adjuster who thinks he's a mechanic. What do you think????
Thank You. Bill
AnswerHi Bill,
Every time I turn around, another dealership is laying the screws to another one of it's 'customers'.
I think you're right, you probably do have a claims adjuster who thinks he is a mechanic. In fact, in my opinion he may also be a mechanic with the information and foresight that he posesses. Unfortunately Bill, he's also right.
The damage to your transmission would have occurred very shortly after the flood. Transmissions can't operate when there is water in them, not even for a few miles. If it DID run for almost a year AFTER the alleged water invasion, I ALSO don't believe it. Why? Let me explain, any small amount of water, which it would have HAD to be considering it was in there SO long and no one noticed it, would have evaporated the first time you took the vehicle for a ride. If your local dealership told you a lie about water mysteriously hanging out for over a year in your transmission, it's because they are covering up their own screw-up based on a story you told them and the history of the vehicle.
What I'm trying to say Bill, is if you took your vehicle to the Ford dealership and they changed the trans fluid at 30K like they said they did, there should not be ANY contaminants in the trans. and especially none remaining from a flood. Water is heavier than oils and would flow to the trans pan and be harmlessly removed during a trans service, a proper one anyway.
I would be pursuing action against the dealership for NOT performing proper service and causing the premature failure of your unit. They are the ones at fault here, and they are the ones responsible for the replacement cost, not your insurance company.
I hope you do the right thing Bill, and pursue action against the dealership and not insurance fraud.
My advice on finding a new technician is: Steer clear The DEALERSHIP as well as those 'chain' stores like Firestone, Sears, Pep Boys, Monro Muffler/Brake, Midas, etc. as they usually only employ ONE ASE Certified Tech just so they can say they do and chances are, that guy is the asst. manager or manager and is not in the store to diagnose/repair vehicles anyway. Find a service location in the link below or get some names out of the yellow-pages and do a drive-by. Garages that employ ASE Certified Technicians will be marked with the 'Blue-Seal' insignia. If unsure about whether a place employs Certified Techs, just ask to see their credentials. ALL ASE Certified Technicians will be PROUD to show and display their certificate(s).
Thanks for the question, I hope this information was helpful to you.
Fred
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