before I post about my issue I would like to say hi to all forum members.
I am the owner of 2014 grand Cherokee diesel.For 8 months I thought this was the perfect vehicle until 4 weeks ago.At 18000 miles I had to take it to dealer because the DEF failed to regenerate and went in to limp mode.The next day I picked it up after a software update that fixed the problem.After driving for a few days I heard a ticking noise from motor I called the dealer and was told to bring it in.On the way to dealer it went in to limp mode again.to make a long story short the jeep has been in dealer for 3 weeks they changed parts that didn't fix the problem and they cant get it to run.I got a call from the service manager and was told that I have to pay for the bills because of contaminated fuel.He didn't tell me how much but he said each injector is $1000 dollars plus the cost to remove the fuel tank and drain the system.I was told there are traces of E85 in fuel.I only fill up at same Gas station that dosent have E85.I am going to dealer tomorrow to have a talk with the service manager.I am looking for some help on handling this situation.Thanks in advance for any info
thanks for the reply.Now that you mentioned it the service rep might have said B85 but I don't think that is available in NY. He also said it would be wise to contact my insurance company to see if they would handle this kind of claim.He didn't tell me how much it would cost but he said the bill would be many thousands of dollars.I honestly think I am being setup because they don't know how to fix it.After 3 weeks in the shop the easy way out would be to claim I have bad fuel.
It would seem to me that even an incompetent dealer service department wouldn't require 3 weeks to determine the problem being caused by bad (or the wrong) fuel.
Your gas station may not sell E85 but the tanker that delivers fuel may have had cross contaminated tanks or even inadvertently dumped a few gallons of it into the wrong underground tank at the station. Good luck trying to prove that though.
At the very least you should demand a fuel sample they drained from your gas tank. Then I'd report it to your state so they can check that gas station out.
I have a feeling that this is not going to have a happy ending.
too easy for the dealer to say the fuel is contaminated and foot the customer with a huge bill.
Just came back from dealer. They are denying warranty work. They changed 1 injector and it didn't solve the problem. They have to change more injectors @ $1000 + labor each ,drop the tank and purge the fuel system and then try to start with fresh fuel. Oh ,
and that work is not guaranteed to solve the problem. Heads up , if you are thinking about getting the ecodiesel stay away.$200 dollar oil changes and over $100 for def additive per 10k it doesn't make sense. I wish I had chose the gas motor.
Just came back from dealer. They are denying warranty work. They changed 1 injector and it didn't solve the problem. They have to change more injectors @ $1000 + labor each ,drop the tank and purge the fuel system and then try to start with fresh fuel. Oh ,
and that work is not guaranteed to solve the problem.
How come you put one injector and you try to see if the problem is fixed (since the only way to find out is to start the engine) without draining the fuel if you suspect fuel contamination? Did they want you to pay for the injector they damaged trying? Seems like this dealer does not know much about this engine any way since they do over the phone diagnostic.
Something isn't right with this situation. Maybe they did find E85? Why would anyone pay $100 per 10k miles for DEF use or $200 for an oil change? If you KNOW you didn't fill up with gas or biodiesel, why are you accepting this dealer's conclusion?
I hope you can somehow get this resolved. It doesn't make sense for the dealer to deny warranty work if it is ligitament. Typically this is a huge source of revenue for the service department.
If you did indeed get bad fuel, perhaps you can find out if others have similar problems resulting from the same fuel station. If so, go after the fuel provider.
How much DEF are you using in 10K miles? $100.00 will buy at least 25 gallons depending on where you buy it.
The oil change is pricey at $200.00. That's more than I pay for my Ram EcoDiesel and it holds almost 3 gallons.
What are my options?the jeep does not start. It's at the dealer .I told them I want to get it towed to another dealer and they are preparing a bill for me.
I contacted chrysler headquarters and they blew me off after talking to dealer. I have purchased 3 grand Cherokees and 1 wrangler in the past 2 years .I don't like how they are handling this.
If someone accidentally put gas in your tank, pay up. If not, you're going to have to stand up for yourself. Demand proof of fuel contamination. Insist that you DID NOT use anything but pure diesel. Contact a lawyer for advise. This dealer may think they can rip you off since they see that you are already willing to pay inflated service charges. I wish you the best in this situation.
Their opinion means nothing. Go buy a cheap siphon pump and draw your own sample. Locate a certified lab that can test fuel. Contact Chrysler with the official results unless they find gas in the diesel.
If you "Always" gas up at the same station, put them on notice that the Jeep dealer is blaming them for your problem. Unless you are their only customer, they will be getting more complaints. If they aren't, it's unlikely you got bad gas there.
Before I approved thousands of dollars of work, I would find an engineer to check the car out.
I doubt you insurance company would have any part of this.
Thanks. I'm going to get a sample tomorrow. But I have a feeling I am going to get screwed on this one. I also think that there are no parts available for this engine. From what I was told at dealer the diagnosis was done over the phone with a diesel tech from another state.
Well, if you did unknowingly pick up a load of contaminated fuel from a diesel pump, the fuel station should be on the hook for that and you won't be the only one that got it, so they very likely are already dealing with the aftermath. If you paid with a card at the station I believe you can often trace the transaction right to the pump if you paid at the pump.
If you put the wrong fuel in by accident, your insurance will often take care of it. It would hit your rates just like an accident though.
If the fuel sample shows no contamination, or if it was "contaminated" after the fact, things could get ugly, and it may be time to lawyer up. It is amazing how fast things get cleared up when the right buttons get pushed.
Is there not some State Agency you can contact to ask about the fuel at that station? Seems like it would be a huge problem if the station was selling B85 as regular diesel. I wasn't aware B85 could cause such issues, thought it just meant an increased maintenance schedule on a few areas.
If they were selling E-85 as diesel that sounds like a situation for someone to be buying you a new truck.
A maximum blend of 5% biodiesel meeting ASTM specification
D975 is recommended for use with your diesel
engine. If frequent operation with Biodiesel blends are
greater than 5% but not greater than 20% (B6–B20) is
desired, the maintenance schedule is subject to shorter
intervals.
The oil and filter change along with fuel filter replacement
is subject to shorter intervals when operating your
engine on biodiesel greater than 5%. Do not use biodiesel
greater than 20%.
For regular use of biodiesel blends greater than 5% but
not greater than 20% (B6–B20) it is important that you
understand and comply with these requirements. Refer
to the “Maintenance Chart” in the “Maintenance Schedules”
section for further direction.
Put up a TRUTHFUL youtube on your troubles. Just tell the truth and get a lawyer if you can before hand. Once the video goes up Sales go DEAD fast.
I found that the 2014 Summits are built sloppy, HVAC/Radio/USB full of bugs. They flashed my transmission when I had no trouble, now full of clanks and thugs. HVAC will cook you or freeze you.
How can one be happy? I think it was a good move buying the MaxCare.
It might be better to see how Chrysler/Jeep responds rather than the dealership. It doesn't sound as if that dealership has a clue on what to do and is looking to profit off of the situation.
Rather than try to kill Jeep sales of the CRD GC, it might be best to see if they'll step up and fix the issue first. So far, we've only heard what the dealership said, not Chrysler/Jeep. Those are two different corporations. Once he gets a fuel sample tested, he can call Chrysler direct and ask for their response.
I called chrysler today explained the situation. They where sticking to the dealer story that the fuel is contaminated and they are not responsible for repairs.
Heads up to all ecodiesel owners
Before you take your jeep in for service make sure you have your fuel tested for contamination.
Still waiting for a bill for the parts changed so I can take it to another dealer
It's down to the dealers contaminated diesel fuel assessment, Chrysler's acceptance of that determination, and your fuel lab test.
You have a 50/50 chance of disproving the dealership report.
If you have a clean fuel test report in writing, it's back on Chrysler/Jeep. If not, time to call your insurance company. They may want a fuel test as well. Either way, given the same circumstance, I'd want to know if I had contaminated fuel or not.
Watching this thread (and those related to the flimsy DEF injector) closely before I decide to order a 2015. I've owned diesel vehicles for many years and always keep receipts for my fuel just in case an accusation like this comes up. If you didn't misfuel, then it's between the gas station and the dealer to figure out. Gas stations carry insurance for this kind of stuff.
I would get a sample from the tank and a sample from the fuel filter area. Fuel filter area will have a higher water content because it is doing is job but that is the last stop before the engine. If no E85 or B85 there then none went into the injectors/engine.
If it was a mistake of putting in the wrong fuel. Then you might dump the bad mix. Change fuel filter. Add fresh diesel with a lot of diesel fuel additive. Change fuel filters again in a few hundred miles and add more diesel additive.
I know F-250s that have come back from the dead doing that.
Good luck.
As a new owner of EcoDiesel, this story was disheartening. I think get the fuel tested at a lab. Seems like that bit of knowledge will really help determine next appropriate course of action.
I thought we would have at least heard that the OP had the sample in hand. Something just isn't kosher about this situation.
I buy only from branded dealers, usually the same one in my home town, and I print and keep every receipt.
On at recent trip through Louisiana, there was a vacuum truck parked at the tanks, and the attendant said "it will be a few more minutes before you can get fuel". I immediately drove another 100 miles down the highway. Apparently, heavy rains the day before was the reason. How many filled up there in route to who knows where before that was fixed.
Especially when traveling, KEEP RECEIPTS until the next fill or two.