Warrenty Question

[dmasini]

If I put a KKM air intake on my X while under a 3 year warrenty, what parts would end up not being covered under the warrenty? It's a 36/36 GM Protection Plan "Major Guard" Warrenty. I've read over the fine print a couple times but it seems very vauge and I don't feel as if I have a difinitive answer.

I was hoping someone on the board here might be familiar with warrenty basics and could give me some advice. Thanks!

 

[DocVijay]

GM Protection Plan for a Ford?


Anyway, if it's the factory warranty, not much will be affected. The Magnusson-Moss Warranty Act says that unless a manufacturer provides free replacement parts, they cannot void your warranty for using aftermarket parts. Some dealers will be jerks about it, but as long as you know your rights, you can get them to fix it. Just don't be a jerk in return, as this ALWAYS puts them on the defensive, and only more problems will happen. Be cool about it and just let them know that you know if they try and decline a repair.

Now there are some exceptions. If you put on massive tires and a lift, and your tranny goes, they could feasibly say that the parts caused the failure, which it could have. If you supercharge, and then blow a gasket or otherwise damage the engine, then likewise, they could say the parts caused the problem.

The law says that for them to reject a wararnty claim, they have to prove that the part you used caused the damage. Otherwise they have to repair it.

Here is the biggest catch: if it's an extended warranty, they can much more easily decline warranty claims. It's not hte factory warranty, so the third party providing the warranty can more easily do what they want. Read the fine print again. It's probably vague on purpose; that gives them more room to screw you over.

 

[dmasini]

Yeah, I bought it from a GM dealer and you get a good price break if you get the extended warrenty through them as opposed to me going to a Ford dealership seperatly.

That's pretty much what I figured though, they were being vague on purpose.

The only thing it says is:
This agreement is not responsible for a failure or claim relating to any part which is not original vehicle manufacturer equipment or a like replacement part, whether or not it meets vehicle manufacturer specifications.

But then it gives examples of garage door openers, cell phones and A/C components...??

So I just assume if my MAF goes bad for some reason and I have a KKM on it they could just say it went bad because of the KKM and not have to replace it.

Thing I'm worried about is say the CAM chain tensioner came loose like in all SOHC's, could they say that the air intake had something to do with it?

 

[DeRocha]

Simple...Install the KKM, and keep the stock airbox in a safe place. If you have any warrante issues just swap the stock equipment back in before heading to the dealer...

 

[dmasini]

Very true derocha. That's what I was planning on doing. Just trying to make sense out of this whole extended warrenty thing. I've never had one on any of my vehicles before so I just want to be sure I don't screw it up you know? Thanks!

 

[DeRocha]

Even if the warrantee indicated it was "OK" to have non OEM parts I would still not believe it 100%... I have seen various "Retro Active" legislation passed in MA so it wouldn't surprise me if today its covered, but tomorrow it isn't...

 

[DocVijay]

Originally posted by dmasini
So I just assume if my MAF goes bad for some reason and I have a KKM on it they could just say it went bad because of the KKM and not have to replace it.

Thing I'm worried about is say the CAM chain tensioner came loose like in all SOHC's, could they say that the air intake had something to do with it?

If the MAF went bad, they may be able to make a claim that the KKM ruined it.

However, it is simply not reasonable to say that the intake made the chain tensioner come loose. The dealer MUST prove that the part made the other one fail.

For exapmle, even if you installed a supercharger, and the radio breaks, that is completely unrelated, so they would have to cover it.

 

[dmasini]

Thanks for the help guys. I've been reading up about The Magnusson-Moss Warranty Act and found this link explianing what the act means. It's pretty informative: (make sure you guys have Acrobat Reader for this link)

http://www.southlandmicro.com/pdf/Mag_Moss.pdf