Tuesday, August 01, 2017

Down the Fleet?

  • About 2,000 auto mechanics are set to strike at 130 new car dealerships across the Chicago area on Tuesday, in a work stoppage that could cause headaches for car owners in need of a tuneup.

    Negotiations were ongoing Monday afternoon ahead of a midnight deadline to agree on a three-year contract. But representatives for Automobile Mechanics’ Local 701 and the Chicago Automobile Trade Association said a strike appeared likely.

    The union mechanics work at 130 of the 420 new car dealerships in Chicago and its suburbs. A work stoppage could be an “inconvenience” for some car owners, trade association communications director Mark Bilek said.
  • The Ford Motor Company says it will pay for all the police car that may have carbon monoxide leaking into the passenger compartments.

    Right now, those claims of unsafe police cruisers are being investigated by the federal government. Regulators have received 2,700 complaints of Ford Explorers leaking carbon monoxide -- and the police department in Austin, Texas, has pulled its entire fleet of Explorers off the road.

    The company says it is also looking into the matter and has discovered holes and in some vehicles, where police equipment was installed after the vehicle left the factory.
Call us dirty capitalists, but we fail to see how Ford is responsible for after-market holes being drilled into their product by police departments installing a non-Ford product.
But that isn't the entertaining part:
  • Hey SCC,

    Word is Ford is issuing a safety notice for their Police Interceptor SUV's and as a requirement for repair, all police departments must cease using the Police Interceptors forthwith until such time as repairs are made. So CPD has to down a few hundred new cars NOW or they aren't covering the costs.
If the dealer mechanics are on strike, that isn't going to happen. And Department garages are notoriously inefficient at repairing even the tiniest malfunction, preferring to ship stuff off to dealerships at every opportunity. We can't wait to see this one play out.

Labels:

49 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I don't know about Fords, but every car I have driven had an exhaust system, and the exhaust stayed in the system until it hit the tailpipe.
(Except for my 1979 Chevy, where the muffler and exhaust pipe were made out of rust.)

Seriously, is the exhaust leaking back into the vehicle from the tailpipe, or is the shitty engine and exhaust piping leaky into the cabin?

8/01/2017 12:15:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Can you ride six up in the remaining patrol cars?

8/01/2017 12:19:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

It is quite possible fumes entered the passenger compartment from undercarriage because sombody was pulling the drain plugs in the floorboards of rear prisoner compartment due to accumulating water from melting snow that is tracked in from the constant in & out in the winter. The snow would melt in the foot wells, creating a small lake, and thus plugs get pulled. Quite a few times I'd get headaches, and my face would be burning from those fumes. Crap, I should have did an IOD.

8/01/2017 12:25:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I wonder if those holes are for silly things like radio antennas, lights, and cameras?

Does painting CPD on the car or wrapping the door also void the warranty? If not, the Ford lawyers missed a good one.

8/01/2017 12:43:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Here issome more info,

"UPDATE, 7/28/2017: NHTSA has elevated its investigation since July 2016 after identifying 2400 additional reports of exhaust leaks on current-generation Ford Explorer models. These include at least 791 complaints of exhaust odors entering the cabin plus 41 injuries and three crashes allegedly caused by carbon-monoxide (CO) poisoning. To date, NHTSA said it has no conclusive evidence that CO poisoning caused the crashes, although a “majority” of the reported injuries described “nausea, headaches, or light headedness.” The Police Interceptor model is prone to exhaust-manifold cracks, while early testing suggests CO levels in all models may rise in “certain driving scenarios,” the agency said. NHTSA has added 2016 and 2017 Explorer models to its investigation as it continues to test vehicles that were reported in the complaints. More than 1.3 million vehicles are potentially defective."

http://blog.caranddriver.com/cat-back-federal-investigation-a-reminder-of-progress-with-carbon-monoxide-reduction/

8/01/2017 12:58:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sounds like it is exhaust manifold cracking that is causing CO leakage into the engine bay, and then that CO gets sucked into the cabin to build up inside. Too bad it is upstream of the catalytic converter, as that gets rid of most of the CO.

If you smell exhaust in your Ford, down the SUV.

8/01/2017 12:59:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The other day I drive west on 43rd St. from Racine Ave towards Ashland and what do I see on the north side of the street on 43rd? Brand stankin' new Ford police Explorers parked on some property. Are these new vehicles tainted too?

8/01/2017 01:02:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

In the mean time, roll with the windows open an inch or two.
Take frequent breaks outside the vehicle.
If you think you are exposed, see a doctor right away.

CO poisoning is no joke.

8/01/2017 01:05:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

They will not be liable when some moron breaks out a drill and pokes holes in a car without using proper equipment to seal any penetrations.

8/01/2017 01:26:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

All this time I thought I was just tired.

8/01/2017 01:35:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

In some of the burbs they are having the firefighters do carbon monoxide testing.

8/01/2017 01:44:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

It's great to live and work in a city/state where unions rule the roost.

8/01/2017 01:45:00 AM  
Anonymous "The Mechanic" (Ret.) said...

So sad,

Whenever someone needed a Tune-Up 50 years ago, they only needed to come in to us at 4001 W. Fillmore St. to be accomodated gratis.

Times change.

8/01/2017 02:40:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm fixing a hole where the CO gets in
from the guy who drilled the wiring
for my blue lights, yeah
for my blue lights
He used an industrial size bit just like
the Verizon guy used to install my brand new phone line
patched the hole with red putty to match the bricks
match the bricks, yeah
match the bricks
Gave me the excuse it was the only bit in his truck, yeah
in his truck, yeah, in his truck, yeah
Told me he had no control over the bit, and he was happy
just to have one, cause some guys get trucks with no bits,
no bits, yeah, yeah, no bits yeah
Promised to patch the hole on both ends, don't worry, man,
yeah don't worry
So he lied, yeah, he lied to me cause I got no putty on the inside,
yeah, on the inside, yeah
Sounds like I got to fix that thing, on both sides, yeah, on both sides
Said he was Union and left promptly at four, yes he did, man, yeah,
yes he did man

8/01/2017 02:56:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

They can have walking post

8/01/2017 04:56:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

So carry a carbon monoxide detector while driving on patrol?
Maybe the Sgt in 012 caught sleeping in the Ford Explorer was actually suffering from carbon monoxide.

8/01/2017 05:04:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Cruiser and forthwith. Gotta be a comment outta New York.

8/01/2017 05:39:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Might want to bring a battery powered CO detector with you on your next shift. Couldn't hurt, and it might save your life!

Can't be more fetal than stuck at the station filling out paperwork half the shift on how your squad tried to kill you.

8/01/2017 05:50:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The tech that do the installs' need to know about this so this can be addressed.
I need to know more! ysw.

8/01/2017 06:07:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

If there is a problem you can bet the powers that be are worried about those riding in the back not those sitting in the front.

8/01/2017 07:03:00 AM  
Blogger Mr. SouthSide said...

Roll down the Windows.

8/01/2017 07:13:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ford
Found On Road Dead
Fix Or Repair Daily
Fucking Old Rebuilt Dodge

J.J.

8/01/2017 07:53:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

@ 08/01/2017 02:56:00 AM

So, which one are you?

Cheech?
Or Chong?

>Knock-Knock!<
"Who is it?
"Hey Dave! It's me, open up!
I see the cops man!"

>Pause<
"Dave doesn't live here!"

😆💩😝

8/01/2017 08:08:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Time to break out the CPD foot-powered Scooters! Anyone remember the "kick 'n Go" scooters from the 70's?

It's the new CPD combination wellness and cost-cutting initiative. Healthier coppers and lowered fleet costs! And for added bonus points: It's GREEN - cutting lots of those Gore Carbon Emmissions because you're not running an engine....

8/01/2017 08:53:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

down the cars and ride the cta to calls. two problems solved.

8/01/2017 09:00:00 AM  
Blogger Cuthbert J Twillie said...

The Carbon Monoxide issue is no big deal for CPD Brass to solve, even if Ford can't fix the problem right away.

Each District Commander can just send you guys to Home Depot and **you** buy a battery operated Carbon Monoxide Detector for your Squad Car. They're only $20.00 each and you can stick them next to the inside Dome Light with Velcro.

And you're already paying to do police business with your cell phones, and you pay for your vest and your sidearm, so another one-time $20.00 outlay for your safety is nothing.

Right?


[SARCASM Guys & Gals, just kidding :-)]
(but don't bet they might not think of this)

8/01/2017 09:23:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

i'm on Furlough 8B never fails, time to retire May 2018.....my time is far too important to me than breathing in carbon monoxide fumes-file a safety grievance-now!

8/01/2017 10:17:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

5:39 AM

Re: "cruiser" and "forthwith" in the NYPD

You're half right. "Forthwith" is often used for right now or immediately.

However, a "cruiser" is unheard of in NYPD jargon. A squad car is referred to as a RMP for Radio Motor Patrol.

Some other NYPD jargon includes:

bus = ambulance

EDP = Emotionally Disturbed Person (crazy)

Central = the NYPD radio dispatcher

10-13 = a CPD 10-1

10-85 = much less critical then a 10-13; send me an assist car

8/01/2017 10:18:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ford should end the Explorer model altogether.
Junk that once flipped over, now kills drivers with poisonous gas.
They aren't called exploders for no reason.

8/01/2017 10:31:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Down em all. Who gives a fuck? I get paid either way.

8/01/2017 10:33:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Garages used to be bustling with talented gear head shop guys. But now I wonder just how many actual "mechanics" are left at Area Garages.
Plenty of union membership but not mechanics. Most of the big stuff is farmed out to low bidder shops and some repair is on the lease company.

Then there's the riverfront, soon to be residentially developed (a Moreno-Maldonado Joint Venture) North-Throop SOS Fleet garage moving to The Englewoods, when the ball gets rolling, expect sudden community 'environmental problems' with the proposed new location and the big move will be scrapped.
If Rahm can find 'the right guy for the right time' in vehicle maintenance, expect the Area Garages to become a thing of the past.

Electric cars, scooters, Divvy's and foot patrols are the next green idea to outfit the ever shrinking police force ot the future.
Democrats solving the problem the old fashioned way.

8/01/2017 11:30:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

OK, this could get interesting. If I were a defense attorney I would request info on the type of car the officer was driving. If it was a Ford then I would claim the testimony in the arrest record was questionable due to confusion from CO poisoning. With the current trends from the DA office, I think this would be a plea to time served.

8/01/2017 11:30:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I suggest stopping by any firehouse and have them run their CO meter inside the SUV. Every apparatus has a quad detector and it takes only a minute if that to get a reading.

8/01/2017 11:46:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Spend $30 on amazon and get a detector. And if it turns out you are getting carbon monoxide in the car, document this (pictures, video). And if you're feeling sleepy at the wheel, then pull the fuck over.

8/01/2017 12:14:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

We just got a 2017 Explorer (small department). We were told by other departments in the area that they had issues with their earlier models but not the 2017's. Chief went so far as to have the FD ride along with a CO monitor for an hour or so and nothing showed up. FD said the consumer CO detectors you get at Lowe's or Menard's aren't sensitive enough to use in the car, you'll suffer symptoms before the alarm goes off. Leave a window open a couple inches and wait for Ford to decide what they're doing.....

8/01/2017 12:46:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Jenning's Chevy in Glenview is non-union shop. Their mechanics aren't on strike and are still servicing cars if anyone needs it.

8/01/2017 12:57:00 PM  
Anonymous Da REAL PO-leece said...

2:40 AM

Ah! Memories of old Fillmo'.

The janitors in every district station in the city had to mop the floors. All but 011's Archie. He had to wash the walls too.

8/01/2017 01:14:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sounds like it is exhaust manifold cracking that is causing CO leakage into the engine bay, and then that CO gets sucked into the cabin to build up inside. Too bad it is upstream of the catalytic converter, as that gets rid of most of the CO.

If you smell exhaust in your Ford, down the SUV.

8/01/2017 12:59:00 AM
Your not going to "smell it" carbon monoxide is odorless and tasteless, it accumulates in your system causing all kinds of health promotes and it could be cumulative! The crazy thing is Ford offers full unfitting of explorers done at the factory by factory techs, it is wired correctly and done properly. The city has the "parts changers" who most have zero skills just jam the equipment in, look even when you get a simple oil change you find grease on the door handles steering wheel full of grease,the outside grease prints etc...

Best advice buy a co detector and they make a co strip that changes color when co is detected, if you feel sick down the vehicle,hit the medical get a good lawyer class action suit! Where is Kevin graham on this??

8/01/2017 02:49:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Now Retired for some time...

Does the city still employ two different unions to work on vehicles, Electricians and Machinists?

8/01/2017 03:08:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I was driving my cruiser and got drowsy and the perp was able to evade apprehension.....A tale from the City that never sleeps.

8/01/2017 03:50:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ford Motor Company in the city of Chicago on Torrence avenue can completely properly equipped all police vehicles instead of having the people at Fleet who are totally incompetent ruin the new vehicles it would be much cheaper much safer to have the manufacture install the proper equipment!

8/01/2017 04:34:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

In certain northside districts officers are very lucky.The supervisors have all the new explorers while the lowly beat officers are in the tahoes and crown vics.who knew that they were looking out for our well being.thanks bosses.

8/01/2017 07:35:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Just call uber for a ride.

8/01/2017 09:33:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

In certain northside districts officers are very lucky.The supervisors have all the new explorers while the lowly beat officers are in the tahoes and crown vics.who knew that they were looking out for our well being.thanks bosses. Maybe that's why the sgt fell asleeep in the car? Carbon monoxide is odorless, colorless & tasteless. Sue the heck out of those assholes!

8/01/2017 10:10:00 PM  
Anonymous Pigpen said...

J.J. You forgot
First
On
Race
Day

8/02/2017 12:18:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Fleet is run by a bunch of assholes who really know nothing g about cars and repairs. They penny pinch and never install any aftermarket properly, example is when they installed the rifle racks on the inside of the trunk lids of crown vice for SOS. just mounted them to the factory metal underside of the trunks. That lasted abut 1 month before they ripped loose and destroyed the underside of the trunk lid. They were too cheap to buy the right brackets. Dumb ass Mark Chumpulis from Area 1 garage boss.

8/02/2017 08:36:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

That place on 43rd is a fabrication shop that is mexican owned family business, nice guys who managed to get a contract with the city. The did some work years back and got bigger.

8/02/2017 08:42:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Now Retired...

During the Washington administration we were supplied with rebuilt starter motors and alternators from a preferred minority (connected) vender. These were so bad that they exploded like grenades under the hood. They failed so frequently the automotive electricians wrote the date of installation on them. A lot of cars were down because of this.

Someone got a look at the place building those darn things. It was a local ghetto dump and the workers were all high school aged kids. No NAPA for us.

8/02/2017 11:56:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sad thing about the strike is, the mechanics all want raises in pay at the same time that car sales are beginning to tank again.
I suspect that the mechanics aren't going to get a lot of what they want, just like us in our upcoming union contract talks.

8/03/2017 11:21:00 AM  

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