Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Dealer finding out about modifications

[wrk24wheel]

I have several mods done to my rig. I took the truck in for a warranty repair for the first time to the dealer a couple of weeks ago. Before taking the truck in, I removed my 'Edge Comp' controller. Today I dropped off the truck to have the radiator flushed and filled. As I watched the service tech key in my information, I saw a note on the system which read that I had modified the intake, exhaust and fueling systems. How could they know this? Did the 'Edge' throw off some sort of a code in the computer that they were able to read?

 

[duaneparks]

Sympathy reply #1

I hate to say it, but I think the gauges (that should have been there in the first place) may have tipped him off.



'Course, the 4" exhaust and Scotty II may have been a clue that the exhaust and intake had been modified



I had a similar experience last time my truck was in the dealership for a door handle problem. I wanted them to check the fuel pressure and they said they would gladly perform a warranty replacement IF I returned the fuel system back to stock. Idiot me had left the scotch lock on the VP44.



They didn't flag mine, but I'm sure they would if I pushed it. I picked the truck up and plan on replacing the lift pump myself.



"I am my own warranty station. " Besides, the Dodge part is out of warranty anyway now that the truck has 37K miles on it.



Now I'll take it to a REAL mechanic or body shop if it needs anything.



Duane

 

[BillGotthelf]

Well your trucks not out of warranty yet, I thought that Cummins warrantied the motor (including VP44 and lift pump) to 100,000 miles. Unless modified and they prove that the modifications caused the part to break to begin with.

 

[TowPro]

Better check your warranty book.

VP44 on a stock motor=Yes 100K

Lift Pump on a stock motor = different for each year.



Again, the "prove the modification caused the part to break to begin with" is how the law reads, but its you against all there layers.

Originally posted by BillGotthelf

Well your trucks not out of warranty yet, I thought that Cummins warrantied the motor (including VP44 and lift pump) to 100,000 miles. Unless modified and they prove that the modifications caused the part to break to begin with.

 

[wrk24wheel]

Well the truck only has 27k miles on it. And to be fair, they did replace the oil pressure sensor under warranty when I brought it in for the first and only time. This is when they must have flagged my account. My main concern was the 'Edge' Computer. I took it out prior to taking it to the dealer. I can't figure out how they knew that I had the "Edge" in there at all.



I was under the impression that removing the "Edge" from the system left it completely undetected to the dealership. Do you think the dealer was just speculating that it must have one?



I guess my main question is, am I screwed! I was waiting until the warranty was up to do the fuel injectors and other big changes. So if that flag means I screwed up, then I do I just go ahead and make the modifications that I really want to. I really want to put a exhaust brake on, but I have read that they will try and void the warranty for that too.

 

[Boondocker]

stock or not

I'm a little confused about your Edge box. You sig says EZ but you called it a Comp and talked about the pump wire. If you left the Scotchlock connector on, that's making it too easy for them. Evidence of tampering is impossible to hide from a mechanic who knows what to look for. That covers the fueling part.



As for the intake, you sig says you have a Scotty intake. That's an attention getter for service department looking for an excuse. Do you have a modified boost elbow on your turbo? Non factory hose clamps there are a give-away too.



That might cause them to peek underneith. You sig says 4"exhaust.



And then there's gauges. While gauges themselves aren't warrenty breakers, they typically are a sign of a performance minded owner. It's a red flag to a dealer.



Your post worries me because I have 80,000 miles left on my power train warrenty. Anybody know where I can get some factory boost elbow hose clamps?

 

[Shovelhead]

The mods they indicated could have been the guages themselves.



One hooked to the Intake=Boost

One hooked to the Fuel system=Fuel Pressure

One hooked to Exhaust=Pyro/EGT

 

[wrk24wheel]

My mistake. It is a Edge EZ. No wire splicing. I bought it thinking that I would be able to quickly remove it before taking it to the dealer. I can't see how a dealer could void any warranties by adding a different exhaust or air intake or even gauges for that matter. Unless of course the part that the guages are attached to fail.



But the computer on the other hand, I can see how they could void the 100k warranty because they affect so many components and change the way the truck was designed to run. As for exhaust and intake, you really are not modifing the way the truck was designed. You are only allowing more air in and out.



However, the engine alone will determine wether or not it can use that extra air and exhaust. I could be wrong, but it sounds good to me...

 

[Shovelhead]

According to your 1st post:

Quote:

"I saw a note on the system which read that I had modified the intake, exhaust and fueling systems"



The tech only noted that you had modified the systems by adding guages.

Did the Service Department actually tell you your warranty was Void?



Ed

 

[wrk24wheel]

No, no one told me it was void. This is strickly fear brought about by reading posts from this group!

Originally posted by Shovelhead

According to your 1st post:

Quote:

"I saw a note on the system which read that I had modified the intake, exhaust and fueling systems"



The tech only noted that you had modified the systems by adding guages.

Did the Service Department actually tell you your warranty was Void?



Ed

 

[Shovelhead]

We're not really paranoid ... ... ... . they really are out to get us. :{ :-laf



I'd stop by and ask them nicely to check to be sure.



Unless they're VERY anal, they should'nt void your warranty for protecting your investment with guages.

 

[LSMITH]

If you want to play you need to be prepared to pay. You cannot hide the extra fueling if the tech working on it is any good. If they void your warranty you are up the creek with no recourse. Your shocks and steering and stuff like that should still be covered though... ... ... .

 

[markdixon]

Im a mechanic heres a little advice tyrap 10 or 20 dollars under the hood wher the teck will be your chances of having notes or warrt. isues deinied are greatly reduced. This is what I did untill my warranty was over never had a thing said to me about my mods

 

[Ncostello]

Boondocker... that little clamp is a "tamperproof" double ear pinch lock hose clamp. You can buy a box of 10 from McMaster Carr supply or just about any wholesale company like that. You'll also need the special pliers/pinchers that you crimp the clamp ears with. At least thats the clamp my 99 had if were talking about the same one. They are really not that special. Factorys may be black plated... new ones may be silver. Just paint it with semi gloss black before assy. and touch up with a fine brush. Only the FBI could tell then .



On wire tap issues, I was told that even if you got a free VP in the event of failure... the cost would eventually come back to you because Cummins will end up with it, see the tap evidence, and refuse to pay Chrysler the warranty fee. Bosch (or Cummins) has already stipulated this info to DC and they expect them to honor their request if they want the part covered. Therefore DC will back charge the owner. Thats how it was explained to me.

 

[krs]

I think that they are required to make note of any alterations found to the intake or exhaust systems for emmision reasons, including noise emmisions, just to cover their butts. There's a fun federal law called the Noise Control Act of 1972, for example amonst many other EPA regs, which forbids the removal or rendering inoperative any equipment originally installed by the manufacturer to comply with that act. It also prohibits the operation of a vehicle so modified. It means that the Scotty and the 4" exhaust are illegal and the dealer wouldn't want to be found to have participated with you in breaking the law.



How anyone can think that changing the air cleaner or exhaust to a different type does not also change the intake, exhaust and fueling of an engine is beyond me. They're interdependent.

 

[illflem]

Like LS said, you play you pay. To try to hide the fact that you have added possible engine damaging modifications is nothing more than fraud. Either wait till your warranty is over or except the fact that you're your own warranty station.

 

[Archive]

They tagged a note to one of my tickets while doing a TSB on the exhaust manifold bolts... Saying I had modified the engine and air system... Well. . yea. . I polished the OUTSIDE of the intake horn and the letters on the valve cover!!! The truck did have gauges and exhaust with less than 10,000 miles... After a trip bad trip to the dealer... (and not being able to fight off the DARK side any more. . ) I decided to become my own warrenty station... and haven't had to fix anything yet that would have been covered under the warrenty... but a new lift pump and/or pusher pump is looking inviting with 80,000 miles... not to mention bigger injectors, bigger exhaust, who knows which turbo... and a clutch in there somewhere...

You might as well jump all the way in... .

Bryan

 

[slo-ryde]

Dodge has a service bulletin which provides assistance detecting modifications to the CTD. It tells them which wires to look at for signs of tampering.



I don't know much about these aftermarket computers but apparently they tap into certain wires on the motor. I saw the bulletin while waiting for the dealer to service my vehicle. I asked to see the tech bulletins for my vehicle and they handed me a 3 inch binder overflowing with bulletins. They were for all the Ram pickups so not all of them applied to my vehicle. It made for interesting reading and helped pass the time.

 

[Mpotter]

Edge EZ

I have heard from several sources that your problem may or may not be that removing the Edge EZ without disconnecting both battery negative terminals may or may not set a "Soft Code" in the truck's computer. I haven't removed mine yet to check this. If you have a code reader give it a try. Also, did you reinstall the OEM electric wire cover?



"I ar' be my own warnty station" Amen



Press on with pride and a large check book... ... if need be

 

[BFC]

A good tech can find out just by the stored ECM parameters. Remember that BOMBING is nothing new and well known by most dealers. I have to agree withh Illflem on that one, taking off mods before warranty work is nothing more than fraud. just my opinion.



Glenn