For a laugh?: Thor warranty question

GordSanClemente · 02-10-2021, 11:22 PM

I figure this was at least good for a laugh...
Do you think I have a snowballs chance in H377?

My 2019 ACE 30.3 had a check engine light. I took it in last week for that and an oil change.
I figured that since I took it into the FORD Fleet repair, that the check engine light would be all warranty work since it only has 9,300 miles.

Guess again.

This was an O2 sensor error that the shop says was caused by a faulty build by the RV builder.

These are the exact words that the shop put on the invoice...

"Retrieved multiple DTC's related to O2S system. Inspected vehicle. Found RH HO2S open circuit.
Found Body Builder Failed to Secure O2 sensor wire and it melted on the exhaust. Removed and replaced HO2S."

$250.86 later we are repaired.

Do you think I have any chance of getting reimbursed by THOR?
(Stop the laughing)
I figured I would get some feed back before I waste my time.
And no, I didn't get any extended warranty.

Thanks,
Gordon

Bob Denman · 02-11-2021, 12:04 AM

With that paperwork: I think your chances are pretty good.

ducksface · 02-11-2021, 12:07 AM

Do you have a picture of the removed part you could post here?

Pete'sMH · 02-11-2021, 12:51 AM

I think you might be successful if you’re still in your Thor warranty. And I think it should not have cost that much. I know from personal recent experiences that the O2 sensor in the catalytic converter is $42 at Ford and it just screws in and plugs in. There is another though, I think and perhaps it’s different. Good luck. Let us know if you succeed.

atreis · 02-11-2021, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GordSanClemente

"Retrieved multiple DTC's related to O2S system. Inspected vehicle. Found RH HO2S open circuit.
Found Body Builder Failed to Secure O2 sensor wire and it melted on the exhaust. Removed and replaced HO2S."

My thought on reading that: If the issue was a broken connection due to melting of the wires going to the O2 sensor, why did they replace the O2 sensor at all? Why not just replace or splice the wires, secure them properly, test to make sure the sensor works again, and call it done?

Raeburn2000 · 02-11-2021, 02:47 AM

We had a similar issue with a hydraulic line to the jacks where they installed the hose tight against the chassis frame. On the repair ticket they wrote exactly why it failed and relocated two other hoses with a similar problem.

Received a full refund check about 8 weeks later.

Judge · 02-11-2021, 12:04 PM

Thor is very good about reimbursing for things like this. Just write a nice e-mail and include the invoice and description. Sometimes they would like to have the failed part but if you didn't ask for it from the dealer, it should not be a show stopper to get paid.

The Gritz Carlton · 02-11-2021, 05:02 PM

This was probably done by the frame company (Lippert?) that modifies the frames and installs the floor joists before Thor installs the bodies, etc. History has proven that Thor's vendors kiss Thor's butt when there's an issue with their products. My bet....20:1 you will get reimbursed, especially if you have photos of before and after. If not...it could have been a lot worse than $250.

Beau388 · 02-11-2021, 06:43 PM

Most charge $100 to $150 to run the complete diagnostic sequence on Fords mainframe. Add the one hour minimum labor charge and the cost of the part and .....

ducksface · 02-11-2021, 06:48 PM

Beau is right.
And
splicing isn't the type of liability a dealer signed up for.
I'd have spliced, perhaps if it was possible, but I don't have any liability.

There's a very good reason I asked for a picture of the replaced part.

GordSanClemente · 02-12-2021, 05:50 PM

This just shows the value of this forum.

Thank you all very much.

I received a PM from the "THOR MOTOR COACH TEAM" with several suggestions on ways to contact them on this matter.
I chose email. Even if it is slower, it seems the easiest to provide them all the info and have a nice thread to follow.

I just submitted it moments ago with invoice.

I will keep this thread abreast about developments.

BTW the diagnostic and repair are labor 169.00 and 81.86 parts.
added note: they drove it 20 miles to make sure all was good, and the check engine light came back on. They had to message ford since there was a special procedure to clear this error. They drove it another 40 miles after that. I am pretty impressed they did this, because that is a lot of time added.

Thanks to all that contributed to this thread.

g

ducksface · 02-12-2021, 06:13 PM

The thanks are to you.

You did a nice follow up and review of the path taken by the dealer.
Few members bother to help others as you did with your follow up.
I sure find it odd when someone asks for help and then refuses, purposefully, to follow up to help others.
You cured yourself and then out of nowhere, posted.
Thats rare...and valuable to others.

Excellent post and follow through from the op.
Thank you.

cgeace29.3 · 02-17-2021, 10:41 PM

It doesn’t cost anything to ask.

Popfla · 02-17-2021, 10:55 PM

My original house battery kept losing fluid and I couldn't figure out why until I removed the strap that held it in place. Come to find out there was a hole about the size of a dime in the side of the battery that was covered by that strap. The strap allowed a slow leak of the fluid. Contacted Thor. They agreed it was likely caused during the build, and paid in full for a replacement battery that I got from an auto parts store since I was nowhere near a CW store or Thor dealer.

Pat Ll · 02-18-2021, 05:53 AM

Thor rep told me that I did not buy a Thor motorhome. I bought a Thor box put on a Mercedes. Thor doesn't think I both a motorhome from them, just a box.

mcr1010 · 02-18-2021, 02:11 PM

On some of the earlier models, the trans cable melted on the exh. Mine did, but thanks to another member here with an early warning, I moved mine so it would make it to a Ford dealer. They ordered a cable, installed it without charge. Not sure if they went back on Thor or not.
Thanks for a follow up.

OldWEB · 02-18-2021, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GordSanClemente

added note: they drove it 20 miles to make sure all was good, and the check engine light came back on. They had to message ford since there was a special procedure to clear this error. They drove it another 40 miles after that. I am pretty impressed they did this, because that is a lot of time added.

The first 20 mile trip was to pick up some coffee for the boys, then the lucky mechanic got to drive the MH home (40 mile trip) to show DW the nice ride.

Or that is the way I woulda handled it.

GordSanClemente · 03-08-2021, 10:54 PM

Well. You folks were right.
I figured I should wait till I had the check in hand.
Got it today!
$260ish

BTW - If you recall I mentioned the dealer service took it on some long test drives? I said I really appreciated it...

Well I got my "notice of impending fine" from the local toll road.
The dates line up with the dates the service department had it.
We don't have this vehicle on an account.
Nice.
Wish they had at least told me they did it.

OldWEB · 03-09-2021, 12:03 AM

Now the "THOR MOTOR COACH TEAM", if monitoring this thread as they did earlier, should get on the dealer to pony up for that 'extra charge', already enough fees tacked onto invoices without needing that hidden charge.

GordSanClemente · 03-09-2021, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldWEB

Now the "THOR MOTOR COACH TEAM", if monitoring this thread as they did earlier, should get on the dealer to pony up for that 'extra charge', already enough fees tacked onto invoices without needing that hidden charge.

I like your thinking, but I am pushing my luck on that one.
I am happy with my outcome, and am not going to raise my blood pressure anymore.
I am guessing that if the dealer service got a call from THOR, they would tell THOR to pound sand and suggest that THOR pay since they caused the problem in the first place.

BTW - I paid the toll quickly enough on-line that it is only the toll, not the fine.
Also - I understand why the service dept drove the toll road. It is the only road near the dealer service that you can drive at highway speed for any length of time.

Again - wish the dealer service had told me.

You may also like: