Is it me or why does every time we question DC they are defended.......

[SoCal Rebell]

by board moderators and VCA high ranking officials. Are you guys on our side EVER or is it your job to squash any conserns we have with DC. Whose better interests are you looking out for? The SRT-10 valve concern is a perfect example.

 

[2charmed]

Ron,

Are you racing? What do you have now or are you waiting for a car?

Just curious.

2Charmed

 

[luc]

Ron,

It's you,we all know that DC is perfect and NEVER make any mistakes.
How dare you question on which side the VCA officials are?
What will you prefer,being friend with DC big wigs or with some nit-picking,selfish,never happy Vipers owners like you and me?
I only like you because your line of work!!!!!

Luc.

 

[VOI9 ASP]

luc

Does Ron own ******* or something?

Here's an idea on the engine work. Maybe DC can offer a regional point - one for each region - 4 across the states for those that don't want to take their cars to the local guys that may not be the best when it comes to Vipers. They can designate one location with the best Viper Tech's for those that would like to take their car there rather than the local guy. You could put the $300 toward the shipping of the car if you didn't want to drive there?

They know where the cars are located. Maybe they are not spread across the states. Maybe they are closer to one or two regions.

 

[Cris]

Is it me or why does every time we question DC they are defended by board moderators and VCA high ranking officials. Are you guys on our side EVER or is it your job to squash any concerns we have with DC. Whose better interests are you looking out for? The SRT-10 valve concern is a perfect example.

Yep, noticed this too. And frequently those same assertions that all is well are proven to be less than truthful. I understand the need for good relations with the DC representatives. However, it should not include pulling the wool over our eyes.


Quotes from Joe Houss:

Also, please explain why you would want to replace the heads? There's nothing wrong with the heads.... it's just being updated with the appropriate valve. And a valve replacement is a procedure that is done by just about any mechanic, and surely with 100% accuracy by a certified Viper Tech, as they tend to be the most tenured (and most qualified) staff members of each facility, considering the training they must adhere to.

<font color="red"> Valve replacements done by just about any mechanic??? Okay name 10 Viper techs that have replaced valves in a Viper engine. And 100% accuracy. That is not possible in any atmosphere, let alone a dealership that lacks any test equipment to verify assembly. We all have dealer service experience. It is impossible to hoodwink us on the "certified Viper Tech" comment.</font>

Where did you get the info that the factory replaced the heads? I am quite sure that this is NOT the case.... just the valves .... just like every other effected Snake will be offered.

<font color="red"> Check your facts. I am certain you will find that you are incorrect. </font>

Quotes From Jon B:

--Team Viper/D-C mechanics did the valve replacements at CAAP. The repair was a 1.5 - 2 day job. Just the valves were replaced at CAAP. D-C allows 6.2 hours for dealers to repair. THEY will be "NOT HAPPY" as well. Why would D-C allow a rental car for "a few days" per D-C letter? The dealers get 6.4 labor hours for this, plus wash and fuel-fill labor and costs.

<font color="red"> Check your facts. As I hear it all of the R&amp;R work was done in Sterling Heights at a different DC facility and NOT CAAP. I do agree with the time statements though. No way will a valve replacement take only 6 hours on a Viper. A Neon maybe. A Viper NO. </font>

--Dodge Viper techs WERE allowed to work on motors from 1992-April 1994. The reasons they were stopped was NOT totally based on lack of competancy....it was based in part on the Zones frequent discovery of modded engines being repaired under warranty by dealers who winked at the process. And also on the difficult nature of the massive head-gasket-debacle of 92-95.

<font color="red"> Not stating you are wrong here. However, the way it is emphasized makes it sound like competancy was not a big factor. I would think it was the MAJOR factor. In the timeframe indicated the level of performance parts available was very limited, thus widespread abuse was not likely.</font>

 

[Craig 201 MPH]

I agree with this thread.

In before is gets deleted.

 

[Y2K5SRT]

by board moderators and VCA high ranking officials.

It is you. There are only a couple moderators on the boards that I know of, and I have yet to see any "defend" DC per se, especially on the valve issue. Fortunately, I am a low ranking official, so my position matters little. I do find it interesting that you and I BOTH had problems with our engines in our 2000 Vipers that called for them to be pulled and shipped to Arrow. Indeed, that problem affected approximately 200 cars as well, yet DC never said a word and never offered any "compensation" for the problem. We had two months of downtime (not a day or two) and did what we could.

Will I defend DC for allowing a defective product to be delivered? Nope. Will I commend them for at least going public with it this time and trying to make it right? You betcha.

Chris

 

[Vic]

Ha ha, leave it to SoCalRebell to state the unspoken! Who else would say what on everyone's mind but Ron? LMAO

Look at your own profession. Do you do everything exactly perfect all the time? I know I don't, and am always learning from my mistakes. Even though I have been doing it a long time, I am still making mistakes, (not the same exact ones!), and always striving to be better.

So now lets consider a car company, which is a big team, compared to my little company. There are more people in the mix, and various tiers of suppliers, too. Its almost impossible to prevent any and all problems at this level. Even with a huge budget, NASA still makes mistakes. How much smaller budget is Dodge running on? (I would assume its a shoe-string, in comparison)

If there is no voice to balance negative things, the negative gossip can snow ball, and more negative press can be generated than is warranted. Even if Dodge does screw up, the resulting fallout can be minimized by positive spin, or it can snowball out of control, in the absence of another perspective. This is no secret, and not hard to figure out. All you have to do is read between the lines a little. Money makes the world go around, and you can expect Dodge to protect its image, and interests. That is not to defend Dodge, nor to defend cover-ups, I'm just stating the way it is, realistically. That is the world we live in.

Despite all that, we still have a great sports car for the money, and I'm glad Dodge did the Viper. (psst- DC, Can I have my headers now?)

I would only hope Dodge and other American car companies takes a lesson from Lexus, and constantly subject themselves to review, self-scrutiny, and constant improvement.

 

[BACKNBLACK]

Well it's basically true that the VCA board is close with DC. No question about it. So whats the point you are making ??? To be honest, we are very fortunate to have these guys on the board. Whenever we get to hear a complain or anything else, you have Joe House constantly jumping to help you guys. Even if you don't agree with the post, you all should be happy that you have a guy in the forum that looks out for all in here... Go check out Ferrari club or Lambo and see if they are close with the manufacture when they have troubles with there cars...

 

[luc]

Backndblack

"you have Joe house constantly jumping to help you guys...in the forum that look out for all in here"

Sure!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here is a copy of an e-mail I sent on 4/14 to Joe regarding the viper owner and fighter pilot that had a probem with DC

" Joe
I think that you should read this thread about a fighter pilot that has to sell his Viper because DC will not honor his extended warranty if he take his Viper with him on his next military posting in Europe

Can you call DC and make it happen,that the least we can do to support our troops.
Luc."

NEVER got an answer from Joe,hopefully I'm a stupid,selfish ***** and Joe did contact DC and this fighter pilot enjoy his Viper in Europe.

 

[GR8_ASP]

Okay, I want to state that Joe's efforts, and others that provide a similar role, are appreciated. Clearly the relationship that the VCA has with DC is an asset to all of us owners and is not something that we should jeopardize. That said it does appear that several have stretched their statements beyond the known facts. I would say it is better to say "I don't know" or "I will check into it" than answer prematurely and risk losing the membership trust.

 

[Mike Brunton]

Joe is a good guy and always there to help - I speak from experience. I don't blame him - he's probably the MOST accessible and helpful prez the VCA ever had.

Having said that, of course there is a symbiotic relationship between the VCA leadership and PVO. I imagine it would cause Joe some major gried if he came here and said "yeah I agree this valve issue ***** and they need to do more to help". But it's not that the guy lies... he deals with PVO all the time and I think he sees them trying their best. Furthermore, any politician (haha) has to often soften their personal feelings for the good of the group.

But there *IS* an almost sickening sometimes ass-kissing of DC constantly going on in the VCA leadership. But at least it's better than the last two guys we had - talk about dumb and dumber!

 

[BACKNBLACK]

Yo guys, you just have to be political..Stop crying, [******] happens and you are lucky you are getting it fixed.Look at the animal you have in your possesion.So just enjoy!!!!

 

[Joseph Houss]

Wow, I made it to the 4 month mark without a "smack Joe H" thread!

Yes, I do try hard to voice ALL sides of the story to PVO...AND Dodge marketing, and all are very receptive, but the clock ticks slow in "corporate land", and many issues don't get solved as quickly as many (including PVO) would like.

...and by the way, luc, your e-mail was forwarded immediately to those that can help... still waiting on a helpful response. I hope something can be done.

I have to say that personally, our PVO and Dodge contacts are incredible! They are receptive, concerned, and actively address all issues ... but have to do everything "by the book"... so things don't always move as fast as we would like.

Please keep the posts going, and feel free to e-mail me anytime, I'll do whatever I can for our members (heck, that's my job!)

By the way, PVO has been working on authorization for a Q&amp;A section for a very long time.... amazing how many approvals, authorizations and signatures are necessary for publishing answers! Stay tuned, as this will be in operation shortly, and will include answers to many of the questions that have been compiled by Viper HQ via this website over the past FOUR months!!!!

 

[knuk]

hmmm....wish they would step in and satisfy those of us who were delivered defective SRT's - haven't heard squat from ANYONE at DC, but sure hear from lots of upset owners about the way the whole situation is being handled.