I'm at the dealership right now. Brought the stang in to get the steering wheel buttons replaced. But I also want them to check the car's idling for normal operation.

It's probably nothing since I've never gotten a CEL, but during idle sometimes the engine bounces around between 500-800rpm. And ever so often there will be a bigger fluctuation that sounds like a 'hiccup'. So I figured might as well have them check since its under warranty.

They told me it'll be a $60 diagnostic fee if its not under warranty. Is this standard? Does that mean if they find nothing wrong I have to pay? I guess if I have to its alright since $60 is worth the peace of mind. But I don't think you should have to pay to get warranty items checked..

 

It is normal.

 

Ask them. And no you should not pay for diagnosing warranty work.

 

Thanks Gary I will! Car won't be ready till later today. This is a huge service department lol

 

Maybe this is a practice I should employ at my job. Tell them if I come to their house to check of its a warranty issue and it's not I will charge them for my wasted time.

Seems reasonable. $200 an hour should do it with a 1 hour minimum.

 

Techs get paid commission. They only get paid for the jobs they do. So you want a tech to look over your car and if he finds nothing wrong, no charge? Which equals no pay and he just wasted an hour or so for nothing. If they were paid by the hour, I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem but that's how it is.

 

Got no problem with them being paid to look. I just think ford should be the one paying it under warranty

 

At he shop I worked at we call this a check and advise.. If there was nothing found you pay for the tech hourly. If something is found you wouldn't pay for the C&A only for the work of the "problem" but in your case warranty would cover the work done.

 

i agree that $60 is ok for piece of mind. If nothing is wrong, then it's not a waste of time for either you or the tech. If something IS wrong then it's covered under warranty. it's fair imo.

 

Sorry, I have never heard of this being done. In the all the years, 45 to be exact, that I have taken new cars in for service, to include Europe, and Taiwan, I have never been told I had to pay anything while the car was under warranty.

 

Man this is turning out to be more gray area than I thought lol. I can see both sides to the argument.

But obviously I'm leaning toward the side that has me not paying

I will ask the service manager since it never hurts to ask, but if they're adamant I'll just let it go.

 

Without a CEL, they probably won't find anything. Unless there is a TSB on the issue you're describing. Or they might try and sell you some maintenance. It's just reassuring the tech that he will get paid even if he doesn't find anything.

 

Just got off the phone with the dealership. They said the throttle body was a little dirty and they recommend an air filter change. Steering wheel buttons have been ordered.

No word on if I have to pay a diagnostic fee yet.

If I do need an air filter should I just go with a K&N (drop in)and be done with it?

 

Save ur money.. Buy better gas

 

I was thinking it could be that too. Best we can get is 91 here in so cal

 

Air filters and dirty throttle bodies are not warranty items Jason.

 

Is the car still under 3/36?

If so, then there should be no charge for them checking something ... it's unfortunate that Ford doesn't pay for "No Problem Found" these days (I stopped being a Ford Service Advisor about 2 months ago and kept dealing with these NPF claims ... the Mgr was pissed when I'd try to submit a claim, would have to end up paying the tech from "shop time" or whatever she called it)

But to answer your question, NO, you should not be charged the diag fee ..... the "dirty TB" sounds like a copout for them to come up with to have a reason for the cash diag fee.

Ford's owner's manual doesn't say anything about periodically cleaning the TB.


.

 

imo: if I spend $40,000+ for the "car of my dreams," it should, realistically, not have any issues...and if it does, then the car should be repaired to the satisfaction of the purchaser. A diagnostic fee seems unreasonable if the customer has a complaint even if "nothing" is found because the owner should be a satisfied customer. C'mon, Ford, get behind your product. 50 years coming up and you're balking at the issues?

 

I think Gabe is right. TB was cleaned under warranty. Didn't bother w/ checking air filter as I will just get a K&N next month when my oil needs changing.

Paid nothing and I'm a happy camper