isuzu d max service surprise

[Dan Attle]

hi all got a 66 plate dmax for a full service and mot ever since its ran like a dog , anyway found out today that in a full service the fuel filters are not changed unless the light for it comes on . now is it me or does that seem ludicrous i mean if you sent a tractor in for a service you expect the fuel filters done as part of it so why is it different for trucks as serviceing is for reliability surely and not taking it back a month later for a fuel filter
is this a comman thing or are my garage fobbing me off

 

[Dave W]

I had exactly same. Fuel filter wasn't changed for first 30 odd thousand miles from new.
it's a pig of a thing to change as well

 

[MrNoo]

it's a pig of a thing to change as well

It's easy, I do mine myself, never had an issue although I did note one one occasion there was a few metal particles in the bottom of the filter housing but not noticed any issues since.

 

[michael N123]

So what did they actually do apart from change the oil and filter ?

 

[kiwi pom]

So what did they actually do apart from change the oil and filter ?

Did they even change the engine oil and filter?
They don't really do anything now, I'd imagine they claim everything else is "sealed for life" or has huge change intervals.

Not a worry if you only keep it a few years and its under warranty. If you're keeping it a long time though you're probably better doing it yourself or telling the shop what you want them to do (and watch if possible) rather than what's printed on a recommended schedule.

 

[mo!]

Did they even change the engine oil and filter?
They don't really do anything now, I'd imagine they claim everything else is "sealed for life" or has huge change intervals.

Not a worry if you only keep it a few years and its under warranty. If you're keeping it a long time though you're probably better doing it yourself or telling the shop what you want them to do (and watch if possible) rather than what's printed on a recommended schedule.

Absolutely right, first thing I do with a new vehicle is burn the service book. What the hell do these multibillion pound companies know about building vehicles that some bloke off the interwebs can't tell me. Who needs million pound testing programmes when I could ask someone in the digital pub?

 

[Lincsman]

Fuel filters only need changing if dirt gets into them, (they are not like engine oil filters) in the past with old bowsers they could need one every week at times (the small CAV ones fortunately), now everything is out of a new bulk tank I have found there is very little in them after 1500 hours.

Using service stations can be a different matter obviously.

 

[Martin Holden]

Interesting. I have an XC70 Volvo and my good independent dealer tells me that Volvo officially say the auto box and rear diff’ oil is for life! I have insisted they are both changed at around 90k miles. Oil is a cheap thing to replace compared to what it lubricates and all oil breaks down after a while. Not changing fuel filters is nonsense. I would have had words with the dealer!

 

[davidroberts30]

the service interval is "change if the light is on"
was the light on?

hi all got a 66 plate dmax for a full service and mot ever since its ran like a dog , anyway found out today that in a full service the fuel filters are not changed unless the light for it comes on . now is it me or does that seem ludicrous i mean if you sent a tractor in for a service you expect the fuel filters done as part of it so why is it different for trucks as serviceing is for reliability surely and not taking it back a month later for a fuel filter
is this a comman thing or are my garage fobbing me off

 

[Dan Attle]

the service interval is "change if the light is on"
was the light on?

the light was intermittent and it was overdue a service any way still doesnt explain why they dont include a fuel filter

 

[davidroberts30]

the light was intermittent and it was overdue a service any way still doesnt explain why they dont include a fuel filter

They wouldnt have seen the light on idle or pottering about into the workshop
Only come on under high power demand
Different matter if you said "oh make sure you do the derv filter too"

 

[TripleSix]

Transits are the same.

No interval for fuel filter changes, only when it tells you it wants one.

Axles sealed for life etc.

It's all to make costs of ownership lower for fleet operators

Some stuff like VW's are on 24,000+ service intervals.

 

[Robt]

A friend of mine is about to send his 64 plate back. He bought it used from a dealer. The Speedo has a mind of its own sometime a it reads 30 when doing 30, other times it reads 0 other times 100mph. I’ve been in it and seen it!

 

[Scribus]

They wouldnt have seen the light on idle or pottering about into the workshop
Only come on under high power demand
Different matter if you said "oh make sure you do the derv filter too"

I would have thought that any warning light coming on would be noted as a fault code and show up when they plug it in, assuming they even did that.

 

[davidroberts30]

I would have thought that any warning light coming on would be noted as a fault code and show up when they plug it in, assuming they even did that.

I dont think derv filter is connected to the management

 

[A Sales representative]

Never been hidden about the fuel filters, I’m on my third dmax and not had a problem

 

[Timbo]

I dont think derv filter is connected to the management

Not exactly - the ECU monitors fuel pressure and when it drops below threshold under high torque demand it puts the light on. At this point the filter is already partially blocked and you have less torque than advertised.

Its all done to maximise profit on servicing.

 

[feilding]

If a vehicle is in for a service then a service is oils and all filters. Anything less is not a service. Most main dealers do rubbish services. Because they just don't care and just rip off customer's with a big bill for not doing the job. I call it theft.

 

[mo!]

If a vehicle is in for a service then a service is oils and all filters. Anything less is not a service. Most main dealers do rubbish services. Because they just don't care and just rip off customer's with a big bill for not doing the job. I call it theft.

Nonsense. A "service" is whatever they want it to be. You can always ask what is included, and add other things if you believe you know better. After all, your brothers mate knew someone who went round the factory once so you know better than the manufacturer.

If the OP had the light coming on, he should have to the garage, he hasn't said that he did. My garage don't check for codes on a service, but willif I ask them.and charge me £45 for the pleasure.

 

[Cowabunga]

If a vehicle is in for a service then a service is oils and all filters. Anything less is not a service. Most main dealers do rubbish services. Because they just don't care and just rip off customer's with a big bill for not doing the job. I call it theft.

Services vary in nature and should naturally vary with the type of work a vehicle does. I don't know of many cars or trucks that require an air, fuel or cabin filter change with every service. Most vehicles have three service levels... intermediate oil change, main service, and a super service where extras like transmission and axle oils plus brake fluid may be specified. There may be other services needed such as timing belts, spark plugs and things on a longer schedule and things like wiper blades, brake pads and lights that need servicing on an as-needed basis.

Personally I tailor services to my judgment. For instance I always give pickups an axle oil change at the first10,000 miles, because mine tow a lot of heavy trailers. I also send it for an oil service every year at MOT, which is approximately between 9000 and 12,000 miles, even though Ford reckon every two years or 18,000 miles is sufficient for normal highway driving. Fuel and air filter every other year.
Fuel filters on tractors are inspected for water regularly but I do tend to extend filter changes as long as I think appropriate, because fuel filters do not have a bypass and therefore the only issue with blocked ones is restricted fuel flow. Tractor air filters are blown out periodically but only changed every five years or so. The only air filters I've changed on farm equipment in the past year have been the two skid steer loaders that had major services [including the hydraulic oil and filters] before this Winter. The filter housing ejector valve was changed on one, because it was damaged and not functioning properly. Services are more than going by the book. Common sense, observation, workmanship and record keeping to avoid missing services comes into it as much as anything, especially if one is responsible for a fleet of any size.