Strictly Diesel

After spending $3188.23 on Glow plugs, UVC Harness, Valve cover gaskets, 4 piece boot kit for turbo,HPOP I supplied both high pressure oil lines and being charged for topping off the oil level after pump replacement. My 2003 F-250 left Strictly Diesel with 8 qts low on oil, after being towed back to Strictly diesel and spending another $1,396.07 on fuel upgrades and fuel sending unit. I called [redacted] and asked what the problem was on 3-April-14, I heard the vehicle was 8 qts low on oil and how that was possible as the vehicle had less then 100 miles on it after leaving Strictly diesel, [redacted] informed me as embarrassing as it is to admit there is no possible way the vehicle burned that 8 qts and that no one checked or topped off the oil. Never once did [redacted] attempt to make the situation satisfactory, I was still charged for the oil being topped off and the shop supplies at $69.59.
Strictly Diesel no matter the qualifications of your mechanics or shop reputation it can all be tarnished by skipping the basics.
Your truly a unsatisfied deployed member of the US armed forces currently stationed in Afghanistan

CO / Owner Strictly Diesel I have attached email traffic in my response, this is a email that you directly sent to me if you for one moment think this is a professional response to a issue then it surly shows your character as well as professionalism. I will let the consumers who might consider patronizing strictly diesel make there own decision. This 2003 with now a 161,245 miles on it now has not consumed a quart of oil in 230 miles. My father has been driving the with out any issues, to bad I cannot upload a picture of this so called years of improperly maintained vehicle you speak of. On a better note my Father a retired US Marine does state the truck has a lot more power then before with the new Super 100 Ron Holland Turbo, the reason for replacing the stock turbo was a blown oil seal that let engine oil escape to the exhaust. This vehicle did arrive at strictly diesel 8 quarts low on oil I was aware of this prior to having this truck delivered to strictly diesel, hence is why I was extremely concerned when it went back in the shop and was informed it was 8 quarts low on oil. Yes I realize strictly diesel has over the years worked there butts off for a A+ rating with the Revdex.com, and I am very glad there is such a business that does what the Revdex.com was intended to do. If it was not for the Revdex.com you would reply to every customer as you have to me in your email below " Prior to running to the internet like a teenage girl to seek sympathy" These are you words not mine. Sir I have never asked for anybody's sympathy with that said this is my third year of deployment in Afghanistan prior to that 2004 and 2005 in Iraq yes I took a break in between 17 staples in my head and a little physical therapy I was able to return to work this is not a call for sympathy this is just stating my character and level of professionalism. Being this vehicle still has not consumed any oil after being driven 230 miles I will stand by mine and [redacted]'s prognoses that unfortunately and embarrassing as it might be the truck did leave your shop with out the oil being checked or toped off. I will say that [redacted] is a honest person you should learn from him that admitting a mistake is not the end of the world and get off your GOD complex. Strictly disappointed [redacted], I’ve looked at this situation from every angle possible, and no matter how angry/disappointed I am with how you have handled it, I’ve come to the conclusion that there are only a few facts that matter. 1. The ONLY work we performed on your truck that would cause any loss of engine oil was the swap of the high pressure oil pump. This job will drain the high pressure oil reservoir, but this will not be anywhere near 8 quarts of oil. Furthermore, the ticket indicates that my technician did top off the oil level after changing the HPOP, which tells me that there is a very high probability that he pulled the dipstick and added oil to the correct level…since that’s what “topping off” means. 2. Since every single person that works for Strictly Diesel is still human, and therefore Fallible, I will leave room for the VERY SLIM possibility that my technician did forget to pull and look at the dipstick on your truck and the truck did leave 8 quarts low. Since the work that was performed would not have lost anywhere near 8 quarts of oil, and my tech did put 1 quart back into the engine…this can only mean that the truck had to have come into the shop at close to 8 quarts low on engine oil to begin with. 3. Considering the condition of several other “maintenance” items when we looked at the truck, it is not hard for us to believe that the truck could have been running around significantly low on oil prior to coming into our shop. We found that the serpentine belt was cracked and needed to be replaced, the Hydroboost (brake booster) was leaking, the rear pinion seal was leaking, the engine coolant was in poor condition (LOW pH @ 7.5 as well as low glycol %) and the transmission was in need of service (fluid was brown). We didn’t remove the fuel filter to inspect it because that requires replacement, but we also noticed that it had the “parts store” filter with integrated cap. In a nutshell, the truck was in need of some TLC. For what it’s worth, all of the above was discovered during our standard vehicle inspection process, which would have been yet another opportunity for my tech to pull the oil dipstick and check both the oil level and condition…further leading me to believe that there is no way the truck left here 8 quarts low. 4. With regard to [redacted] telling you that that there was no way your truck could have used 8 quarts of oil in 100 miles, and that we must have forgotten to top the oil level off…[redacted] was wrong to answer the way he did, and we have addressed this with him. The truth is quite the opposite, it is absolutely possible for a 7.3L Powerstroke with good compression to use 8qts of oil in 100 miles. There is an o-ring in the center of the fuel injector that separates the high pressure oil system from the fuel system. If this o-ring develops a leak, the high pressure oil (which is under much more pressure than the fuel system) will push into the fuel side of the injector, get injected into the cylinder with the fuel, and be burned. We’ve only seen this problem a few times, but it can and does happen…and it always results in excessive oil consumption. 5. The problem your truck had when it came in the second time had nothing to do with the work that was performed the first time. There is simply no way to argue the fact that putting 5 gallons of fuel in the truck immediately resolved the starting problem. To your comment about “skipping the basics”…while I still do not believe that your truck actually left our truck 8 quarts low on engine oil, I have no choice but to agree that it’s possible since we are all human. I’m not sure what “satisfaction” you are seeking through trying to address this matter with a [redacted] post, but I would suggest to you that you re-read your own “skipped the basics” comment and consider the fact that your method for getting resolution did exactly the same thing. Prior to running to the internet like a teenage girl to seek sympathy or make us look bad, did it ever occur to you that reaching out to myself or my partner, the owners of the company, might be a more adult approach and might result in a more friendly exchange? I realize that your location might make phone calls difficult, but both [redacted] and I are available through e-mail or by direct message through [redacted]…there were other ways you could have handled this that were less antagonistic. Here’s the reality of this situation, there is simply no way either of us will ever know if the truck left here after the first visit 8 quarts low on oil. My gut, based on knowing my techs, is that it did not. My tech specifically remembers the truck, remembers that it was leaking oil from the tailpipe and remembers checking the oil level because of it. He tech also remembers that we recommended an oil change due to the installation of the new HPOP and turbocharger, and that the oil change was declined because it had just been done. Either way, after talking to my business partner, who is the shop foreman as well, we would like to see the truck again if possible. We would like to have it long enough to put some miles on it and do an oil consumption test. Worst case, we find that the truck is using oil and you have a repair that is necessary (and an explanation for the low oil level). Best case, we find nothing wrong and it just gives us a chance to look over everything we’ve worked on and make sure it’s all perfect. I’ve chosen to address this with you directly, by email, as I feel this is much closer to a real “man to man” we could have on [redacted]. If this is not satisfactory or if you would prefer that we hash this out in public, I will happily put together replies for both your [redacted] post and your Revdex.com complaint. The ball is in your court. [redacted] Co-Owner – Strictly Diesel [redacted]@strictlydiesel.com | www.[redacted].com [redacted] | Phoenix, AZ [redacted] T: ###-###-#### | F: ###-###-####

NEVER GO TO STRICTLY DIESEL I had them do $11,000 in work. They gave me my truck back running like [redacted] to where it wouldn't event go 75mph there response was the speed limit is 65mph...... Ummm passed carefree hw the speed limit is 75mph and when I tried to get them to fix it they tried to con me into buying some more parts. there was more problems with the truck after I got it back from them then when I brought it to them ... They also don't tell you if there is something else wrong with your vehicle other then what you brought it in for so you would bring it back to them so they can get more of your hard earned money out of you. I WILL NEVER EVER GO BACK TO STRICTLY DIESEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't believe I had them work on my truck my fassfuel system where the filters mount to the Fram wasn't event tightened down all the way and almost fell off my truck. I don't event want to bring my truck back to them event though a LOT of my parts are under warrantee I don't trust them at all save your self the headache that I'm going through and stay away from them!!!

After spending $3188.23 on Glow plugs, UVC Harness, Valve cover gaskets, 4 piece boot kit for turbo,HPOP I supplied both high pressure oil lines and being charged for topping off the oil level after pump replacement. My 2003 F-250 left Strictly Diesel with 8 qts low on oil, after being towed back to Strictly diesel and spending another $1,396.07 on fuel upgrades and fuel sending unit. I called [redacted] and asked what the problem was on 3-April-14, I heard the vehicle was 8 qts low on oil and how that was possible as the vehicle had less then 100 miles on it after leaving Strictly diesel, [redacted] informed me as embarrassing as it is to admit there is no possible way the vehicle burned that 8 qts and that no one checked or topped off the oil. Never once did [redacted] attempt to make the situation satisfactory, I was still charged for the oil being topped off and the shop supplies at $69.59.
Strictly Diesel no matter the qualifications of your mechanics or shop reputation it can all be tarnished by skipping the basics.
Your truly a unsatisfied deployed member of the US armed forces currently stationed in Afghanistan

CO / Owner Strictly Diesel I have attached email traffic in my response, this is a email that you directly sent to me if you for one moment think this is a professional response to a issue then it surly shows your character as well as professionalism. I will let the consumers who might consider patronizing strictly diesel make there own decision. This 2003 with now a 161,245 miles on it now has not consumed a quart of oil in 230 miles. My father has been driving the with out any issues, to bad I cannot upload a picture of this so called years of improperly maintained vehicle you speak of. On a better note my Father a retired US Marine does state the truck has a lot more power then before with the new Super 100 Ron Holland Turbo, the reason for replacing the stock turbo was a blown oil seal that let engine oil escape to the exhaust. This vehicle did arrive at strictly diesel 8 quarts low on oil I was aware of this prior to having this truck delivered to strictly diesel, hence is why I was extremely concerned when it went back in the shop and was informed it was 8 quarts low on oil. Yes I realize strictly diesel has over the years worked there butts off for a A+ rating with the Revdex.com, and I am very glad there is such a business that does what the Revdex.com was intended to do. If it was not for the Revdex.com you would reply to every customer as you have to me in your email below " Prior to running to the internet like a teenage girl to seek sympathy" These are you words not mine. Sir I have never asked for anybody's sympathy with that said this is my third year of deployment in Afghanistan prior to that 2004 and 2005 in Iraq yes I took a break in between 17 staples in my head and a little physical therapy I was able to return to work this is not a call for sympathy this is just stating my character and level of professionalism. Being this vehicle still has not consumed any oil after being driven 230 miles I will stand by mine and [redacted]'s prognoses that unfortunately and embarrassing as it might be the truck did leave your shop with out the oil being checked or toped off. I will say that [redacted] is a honest person you should learn from him that admitting a mistake is not the end of the world and get off your GOD complex. Strictly disappointed [redacted], I’ve looked at this situation from every angle possible, and no matter how angry/disappointed I am with how you have handled it, I’ve come to the conclusion that there are only a few facts that matter. 1. The ONLY work we performed on your truck that would cause any loss of engine oil was the swap of the high pressure oil pump. This job will drain the high pressure oil reservoir, but this will not be anywhere near 8 quarts of oil. Furthermore, the ticket indicates that my technician did top off the oil level after changing the HPOP, which tells me that there is a very high probability that he pulled the dipstick and added oil to the correct level…since that’s what “topping off” means. 2. Since every single person that works for Strictly Diesel is still human, and therefore Fallible, I will leave room for the VERY SLIM possibility that my technician did forget to pull and look at the dipstick on your truck and the truck did leave 8 quarts low. Since the work that was performed would not have lost anywhere near 8 quarts of oil, and my tech did put 1 quart back into the engine…this can only mean that the truck had to have come into the shop at close to 8 quarts low on engine oil to begin with. 3. Considering the condition of several other “maintenance” items when we looked at the truck, it is not hard for us to believe that the truck could have been running around significantly low on oil prior to coming into our shop. We found that the serpentine belt was cracked and needed to be replaced, the Hydroboost (brake booster) was leaking, the rear pinion seal was leaking, the engine coolant was in poor condition (LOW pH @ 7.5 as well as low glycol %) and the transmission was in need of service (fluid was brown). We didn’t remove the fuel filter to inspect it because that requires replacement, but we also noticed that it had the “parts store” filter with integrated cap. In a nutshell, the truck was in need of some TLC. For what it’s worth, all of the above was discovered during our standard vehicle inspection process, which would have been yet another opportunity for my tech to pull the oil dipstick and check both the oil level and condition…further leading me to believe that there is no way the truck left here 8 quarts low. 4. With regard to [redacted] telling you that that there was no way your truck could have used 8 quarts of oil in 100 miles, and that we must have forgotten to top the oil level off…[redacted] was wrong to answer the way he did, and we have addressed this with him. The truth is quite the opposite, it is absolutely possible for a 7.3L Powerstroke with good compression to use 8qts of oil in 100 miles. There is an o-ring in the center of the fuel injector that separates the high pressure oil system from the fuel system. If this o-ring develops a leak, the high pressure oil (which is under much more pressure than the fuel system) will push into the fuel side of the injector, get injected into the cylinder with the fuel, and be burned. We’ve only seen this problem a few times, but it can and does happen…and it always results in excessive oil consumption. 5. The problem your truck had when it came in the second time had nothing to do with the work that was performed the first time. There is simply no way to argue the fact that putting 5 gallons of fuel in the truck immediately resolved the starting problem. To your comment about “skipping the basics”…while I still do not believe that your truck actually left our truck 8 quarts low on engine oil, I have no choice but to agree that it’s possible since we are all human. I’m not sure what “satisfaction” you are seeking through trying to address this matter with a [redacted] post, but I would suggest to you that you re-read your own “skipped the basics” comment and consider the fact that your method for getting resolution did exactly the same thing. Prior to running to the internet like a teenage girl to seek sympathy or make us look bad, did it ever occur to you that reaching out to myself or my partner, the owners of the company, might be a more adult approach and might result in a more friendly exchange? I realize that your location might make phone calls difficult, but both [redacted] and I are available through e-mail or by direct message through [redacted]…there were other ways you could have handled this that were less antagonistic. Here’s the reality of this situation, there is simply no way either of us will ever know if the truck left here after the first visit 8 quarts low on oil. My gut, based on knowing my techs, is that it did not. My tech specifically remembers the truck, remembers that it was leaking oil from the tailpipe and remembers checking the oil level because of it. He tech also remembers that we recommended an oil change due to the installation of the new HPOP and turbocharger, and that the oil change was declined because it had just been done. Either way, after talking to my business partner, who is the shop foreman as well, we would like to see the truck again if possible. We would like to have it long enough to put some miles on it and do an oil consumption test. Worst case, we find that the truck is using oil and you have a repair that is necessary (and an explanation for the low oil level). Best case, we find nothing wrong and it just gives us a chance to look over everything we’ve worked on and make sure it’s all perfect. I’ve chosen to address this with you directly, by email, as I feel this is much closer to a real “man to man” we could have on [redacted]. If this is not satisfactory or if you would prefer that we hash this out in public, I will happily put together replies for both your [redacted] post and your Revdex.com complaint. The ball is in your court. [redacted] Co-Owner – Strictly Diesel [redacted]@strictlydiesel.com | www.[redacted].com [redacted] | Phoenix, AZ [redacted] T: ###-###-#### | F: ###-###-####

Review: On 8-14-12 I took my truck in due to stalling when ideling. They replaced the fuel pump and two new batteries and stated it was fixed. A few days later the same thing happened and I returned the truck to them. They then said it was battery cables and they would charge $800.00 more. I replaced them myself for $400.00. It was still doing the same thing, took the truck back into them, they tested it again, and stated that they did not know what was wrong. The initial cost that I paid them for the repair was $1,097.60, then I put $400.00 into it for the battery cables. It is still doing the same thing, and I cannot get any satisfaction from them.

Thank you

[redacted] R. [redacted]Desired Settlement: Meet me half way on the bill of $1097.60.

Business

Response:

I have attached copies of all three invoices for the visits Mr. [redacted] has made to our shop.Mr. [redacted] first brought his truck in on 8/14/12 with a drivability concern. The technician examined the truck and found a P2509 trouble code for LOW ECM BATTERY VOLTAGE and also that the fuel supply pump was making 0psi of pressure (inoperative). Both of these issues can cause significant, noticeable drivability problems, but it was unclear at the time whether they were the specific cause for the problem Mr. [redacted] was experiencing. In order to ensure that we were providing Mr. [redacted] with a properly running truck, the above issues needed to be fixed first and then the truck driven and further drivability issues diagnosed. After completing the replacement of the batteries and the installation of a replacement fuel supply pump, voltage and fuel pressure were confirmed to be within spec and the truck was driven again. The technician was unable to identify any other problems with the truck and it was released to the customer.Mr. [redacted] returned with the truck on 9/12/12 with the same drivability complaint as the first visit. We checked the truck and the P2509 trouble code for LOW ECM BATTERY VOLTAGE had returned. We informed Mr. [redacted] that the battery cables on the truck were significantly corroded and were likely causing the low voltage to the engine control module. Mr. [redacted] elected to take the truck out of our shop and replace the battery cables himself. We did not charge Mr. [redacted] for this visit.Mr. [redacted] brought the truck back to us one more time, on 10/29/12, again with the same complaint. We checked his battery cable installation and found that a few of the ground connections were either loose or dirty. We cleaned all of the ground connections and made sure they were tight and then test drove the truck for 11 miles. We were still not able to reproduce the problem Mr. [redacted] was complaining about. The technician did notice some behavior that suggested that the truck might have a problem with the torque converter in the transmission. We noted this to Mr. [redacted] as something to watch but did not provide any estimate for repair because a specific problem had not been identified. Again, the truck was released and the customer was not charged for the visit.If memory serves us correctly, Mr. [redacted] has already tried disputing the charge for the 8/14/12 invoice with his credit card company. We provided them the same information noted above and they apparently found no reason to move forward with the dispute.In a nutshell, Strictly Diesel does NOT perform unnecessary work on customer trucks. Quite the opposite, we frequently talk customers out of doing work that doesn't make sense. In the case of Mr. [redacted]s truck, the battery and fuel pump replacement performed on his first visit to our shop was 100% necessary. The lack of fuel pressure to the injection pump in Mr. [redacted]s truck would have eventually damaged the diesel injection pump, possibly damaged one or more fuel injectors and most likely would have left him stranded somewhere. This would have been a VERY costly repair and probably would have included a tow bill as well.We are very sorry that we could not reproduce and identify the drivability problem that Mr. [redacted] is complaining about. The problem simply never occurred for our technicians during any of the road tests that we performed, we never experienced what Mr. [redacted] wanted fixed so there was no way we could identify or repair it. This does not change the fact that we DID perform NECESSARY repairs (including the installation of new parts that Mr. [redacted] still has) to the truck on it's first visit, and we stand by the work we performed 100%. For this reason, we must decline to provide a refund to Mr. [redacted].

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

Regards,

Plrease see attached

Business

Response:

My first response to Mr. [redacted]s complaint was very detailed, there is no more information to offer. Simply put, the work that we performed, and that Mr. [redacted] paid for was 100% NECESSARY. The voltage and fuel pressure problems with his truck could easily have been the cause of the problem that he has been experiencing. We didn't know if that was the case, but we did know that NOT fixing the electrical and fuel pump concerns was a GUARANTEED way to leave Mr. [redacted] stranded on the side of the road at some point in the future (not only inconvenient for Mr. [redacted], but also a very expensive repair). The best analogy I can offer for this case is that Mr. [redacted]s problem is a lot like walking into a doctor office and complaining about an occasional arm pain. Upon examination, the doctor can't reproduce the pain through any amount of bending, poking, squeezing, etc...the arm seems to be just fine. Of course, like any good doctor, he knows that sometimes arm pain can be related to heart issues so he did do some further testing and discovered that the patient also has high blood pressure and low blood sugar. Not wanting his patient to develop more serious problems, medication and lifestyle changes are prescribed to get the blood pressure and blood sugar issues under control. Unfortunately, the original complaint of an occasional arm pain has still not been resolved...the patient is now healthier than when he first came into the office but he still has occasional arm pain. By Mr. [redacted]s logic, the doctor should have either ignored the other symptoms and just sent the patient out of the office without charging him for his services...or should have resolved the blood pressure and blood sugar issues for a free because he couldn't find the exact source of the arm pain. There is no logic in this thinking. For the most part, the "lives" we deal with are those of an inanimate objects. The worst case scenarios in our world generally involve being stranded on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck...and an expensive repair bill to get the vehicle running again (which Mr. [redacted] has clearly stated he can't afford). What Mr. [redacted] REFUSES to accept is that we did work that his truck NEEDED. He was charged a fair market price for the repairs. We agree that we never found the source of his original complaint, because we never experienced the problem. What we 100% DISAGREE WITH is that we owe him money back for fixing a critical current problem with the truck and preventing a very costly future repair. As a shop that cares about it's customers, it is our responsibility to make repairs and recommendations that are in THEIR BEST INTEREST. The repairs to Mr. [redacted]s truck are a perfect example of this...we would NOT have recommended them otherwise. Additionally, there was simply NO way we could have identified the specific cause of Mr. [redacted]s INTERMITTANT problem (which we never directly experienced) without first fixing the significant problems that we identified in the truck. The unfortunate reality of a situation like this is that had we NOT made the repairs to Mr. [redacted]s truck and he continued to drive it until the injection pump or injectors failed due to low fuel pressure, we are certain he would have blamed us for the failure...since we knew about it but didn't fix it. The most telling statement in Mr. [redacted]s last letter is this one: "I am in no position financially to continually pour money into this vehicle for work that appears to be just a process of elimination.". Mr. [redacted] owns a truck that is expensive to repair, as most light duty diesel trucks are. The parts are more expensive, the specialty tools to work on them are more expensive, and the skilled labor to fix them is more expensive. If he can't afford to own the truck, he should consider driving something that is less expensive to own and repair. As far as the "process of elimination" goes, it's no different than our doctor analogy. If you walk into a doctor with a complaint and the doctor finds multiple MAJOR problems with your health, the MAJOR problems will need to be addressed first. There is no way to identify a small problem when MAJOR problems exist because there is no way to know if the MAJOR problems are causing the minor ones. What Mr. [redacted] is insinuating is that we simply throw parts at problems in hopes that something will fix them...when in reality we DIAGNOSED a significant problem with his truck, one that would have stranded him and cost him a LOT more money...but the repair of this significant problem didn't resolve his original complaint so he's not happy and doesn't think he should be responsible for the cost of the repairs. In summary, the work to Mr. [redacted]s truck was 100% NECESSARY. Mr. [redacted] was NOT charged for any work he did not receive. Mr. [redacted] made several visits to our shop, visits that took our technicians away from other trucks, but that Mr. [redacted] was NOT charged for. We have done everything we can possibly do to find the problem with Mr. [redacted]s truck, short of keep it for a few months to drive it every day until the problem happens (because according to him it's very infrequent). Just because Mr. [redacted] doesn't want to take responsibility for the repairs his vehicle requires, doesn't mean that Strictly Diesel does. Mr. [redacted]s credit card company has already dismissed his dispute for lack of evidence that Strictly Diesel did anything that wasn't 100% above board, we expect that the Revdex.com will do the same. To be perfectly clear, Strictly Diesel will NOT EVER offer a refund to Mr. [redacted] simply because he "can't afford" to do proper repairs to his vehicle. This issue has nothing to do with the quality of our work. No shop can be expected to repair a problem they can't reproduce, and no shop should be expected to pay for repairs to a customers vehicle simply becasue the customer thinks they are too expensive or they can't afford it.