Is there any solid proof that Ford watches this site?

[Tecate Virgin]

With almost 65,000 members this site should and does contain immense knowledge on quality issues gleaned from experienced owners and also Ford employees regarding Ford products. The reason I ask is I just got back from a meeting with a Service Manager at a Ford dealership and he was not aware of this site, nor did he seem impressed that there exists a site like this one. He preferred to make decisions based on what his local diesel tech told him, who by the way, knew nothing about the issue I was there to discuss with him.It makes me wonder if anyone in Ford actively monitors this site. They would be a fool not to.

I'd like to keep any comments general in nature and would appreciate any thoughts on this. When you try and make points with the Svce Mngr based on experience and information available on this site and he asks you where you heard that, what do you suggest as a reply?

Thanks,
Dave

[444-4D]

I can't answer your question but I do have a comment. There are a few TDS members that work in the shops of Ford dealers. I can't remember one of them ever asking a question. They are always providing answers. So it seems that your service mgr might be using the correct source for info.

[67Shorty]

Well, I take everything I learn from this site with a grain of salt. Some people try one thing, and it fixes their problem, and they become "Fanboys" of that particular part. Not everyone realizes the trade-off until down the road when they have to fix something that went wrong, because of their "fix". So, there's my .02.

[Kanman]

Back in 99 Ford asked that the name of this site be changed. I would say that is pretty good evidence that Ford at least has knowledge of it. When you think about it, with all the other websites out there these days with the name Super Duty or Powerstroke in the web site name. Ford must have felt pretty strongly to insist upon this sites name being changed. Lots of attention here.


Your local dealership is not owned by Ford. They are owned by private individuals. Ford and your dealership are not one in the same.

[rednck21]

[ QUOTE ]
Back in 99 Ford asked that the name of this site be changed. I would say that is pretty good evidence that Ford at least has knowledge of it. When you think about it, with all the other websites out there these days with the name Super Duty or Powerstroke in the web site name. Ford must have felt pretty strongly to insist upon this sites name being changed. Lots of attention here.


Your local dealership is not owned by Ford. They are owned by private individuals. Ford and your dealership are not one in the same.

[/ QUOTE ]


what did this site used to be called?

[MDarrough]

[ QUOTE ]
what did this site used to be called?

[/ QUOTE ]

FordDiesel.com

[ryaneverk2]

except with a dash in it:

http://www.ford-diesel.com

It is interesting... there's another site with ford in its name followed by trucks... they've had that name always, as far as I know. Back to 98 or 99. I guess Ford just decided to pick on TDS. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

[BlueMule]

[ QUOTE ]
Back in 99 Ford asked that the name of this site be changed.

[/ QUOTE ]

Actually that was in the summer of 02.

HERE is Jasons post.

[LMJD]

[ QUOTE ]
Well, I take everything I learn from this site with a grain of salt. Some people try one thing, and it fixes their problem, and they become "Fanboys" of that particular part. Not everyone realizes the trade-off until down the road when they have to fix something that went wrong, because of their "fix". So, there's my .02.

[/ QUOTE ]

Perhaps like this foolproof method of installing freeze plugs? I feel our friendly Ford dealers would not be impressed---- [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img]
[ QUOTE ]
If I have another one pop out in the future, I am going to JBWeld all of them back in.
Does anyone know of any reasonable reason not to JBWeld them in?
How about a better way to enshure they never come out again?
They are sort of a cupped thing that you put the concave part towards the engine and bang flat.
Flattening them with a hammer doesn't expand them properly.


[/ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
"Fanboys" of that particular part.

[/ QUOTE ]
Quite true, you have "fanboys" versus the HUGE data base of info that dealerships are privy to since they have access to info on chronic problems on thousands of units compared to what one guy has worked on his driveway. Years back there were many mechanics on this site, some Ford diesel only, but most all of them have gone by the wayside for obvious reasons.

[Wayne B]

[ QUOTE ]
Years back there were many mechanics on this site, some Ford diesel only, but most all of them have gone by the wayside for obvious reasons.

[/ QUOTE ]

No, I don't understand, there are still quite a few techs on here.

Wayne B

[wil]

everything you read on the internet is true, and every "fix" is perfect!!!

[jbdawson]

Reading the freeze plug story reminds me of the member who, shortly after the HEIU(sp?) system was first used by navistar, asked if he should start the engine after the crankcase had drained to get all of the residual oil out of the high pressure system. Made cold chills run up my spine!

[KINGTUT]

It is doubtful that Ford or any other manufacturer makes it a practice to surf the web. I do believe if a particular site came up in some litigation, i.e. someone is a deposition stated, I found out about this and that at ..........website, they may take a look. Since this site has a policy of not allowing posters to "drum up" lawsuits, solicit folks to join "class actions", or allow folks to post subjects that violate the law, it's in real good shape not to be on Ford's radar screen.

It does seem that they have a ridiculous double standard when it came to how they demanded this site change it's name and now seemingly allow all of these other sites to use their registered trademarks in their web site names and addresses without permission, but when it happened to this web-site, sites like this were just kicking up and they probably were a little heavy handed about it. Now that there is a site a minute popping up, they just don't care and don't have the time, patience or resolve to screw around with it.

Just don't try it with Disney, they will go for the balls and they won't miss. Probably the most jealously guarded trademarks in the world, homie, they don't play.

[Diesel Jay]

Ford, or I guess the IP's assigned to Ford, does visit the site quite regularily, as does Navistar. I know that at Nav there is a lot of debate, though, on how "accurate" a lot of the information presented here may be.

Regards,
Jay

[v_lombardi]

they are all ran by the CIA!