Extended Warranties

[JJacobs]

Two weeks ago I ordered a 2003 4WD single rear wheeled 3500 ETH and just have started to investigate extended waranties for this vehicle. Have any of you boought/reviewed online warranties vs DC warranties? I'm thinking about a 5 year/100,000 mile warranty.

 

[Big Best]

warranty

You cant beat dc warranty. Buy it the day you take delivery and get a discount . The longer you wait the more it costs Bob

 

[JJacobs]

DC Extended Warranty

Thanks for the speedy answer Big Best. I was arriving at the same conclusion and glad you confirmed it for me.

Thanks,

JJacobs

 

[HC]

Don't forget that many parts are covered to 100k already on the diesels. Also, no matter where you buy your warranty, if you don't stay "stock" the engine/drivetrain warranty will probably get voided.



The extended warranty is a cost-averaging among owners, with built in profit for the organization that issues it to you. Another name: Insurance. If you never buy the warranty, over your lifetime you should come out ahead by cutting out the "middleman", even if once or twice you get stuck with an expensive repair.



At least once in my life, when a salesman told me I "needed" the extended warranty, I told him that showed me the truck must be unreliable, I didn't want an unreliable truck, and I walked out.



On the other hand, if you don't like playing the odds, then the peace of mind that comes with an extended warranty has value for you. Just be sure to read all the fine print and do everything needed to keep the warranty in force, including required maintenance and especially avoiding the power-enhancing mods that are so popular on this board. You can't step up the power and then expect DC to still warranty the drivetrain; they turned down the power of the Cummins for exactly that reason - to have fewer trucks breaking on their nickle.

 

[JJacobs]

HC-Thanks for your thoughts. You raise some good points and I appreciate you taking the time to respond to my thread. I raised the subject of the warranty, the dealer never mentioned it. At this moment I feel that I should go for the warranty because this is my first diesel and I'm a bit nervous about its operation and the cost of repairs. Since I'm buying the HO and it's rated at 305 hp I'm not sure I'll need to uprate the engine at least for the first 100k. The only goodies I would like to add are a pyrometer and a boost gauge. Since I do not tow a trailer and only carry heavy loads occasionally, I suppose I can live with out the gauges if installation will void the warranty. Again thank you for your thoughts.

 

[Prairie Dog]

After buying the extended warranty the paper work came in the mail and in the fine print said I was to take the truck to the issuing dealer for repairs under the extended warranty. :{

I've since been to my dealer (somewhere in Monroe Wash. ) for a repair and was sorely disappointed with their attitude and ability.

I now wonder if I wasted my money or if I can get another dealer to perform repairs under the extended portion of my warranty.

By the way, they will deal on these warranties - I talked them down $400!

 

[HC]

I agree, with 305 HP, you should be able to get by without power-enhancing mods. I don't think gauges would void the warranty, unless someone totally botchs the install and it causes problems. This is rare, but it is one of the reasons I went counter to the majority opinion and had my EGT probe installed downstream of my turbo. People who have stepped up the power need the probe upstream of the turbo, but downstream is OK if you haven't got a major fueling box or big injectors. It is the "power enhancing" type modifications that would void the drivetrain warranty. Gauges are GOOD for your truck - don't back away from that part of your plan!

 

[JJacobs]

Extended Warranty

I purchased a DC extended warranty for my current gasoline fueled Dodge truck and have had service covered all over the US by DC dealers without a problem. DC service managers have generally been cordial to me regarding this current warranty. I would not be happy if they turned out to not be as receptive with the one I am about to purchase when my HO arrives.

 

[JJacobs]

After reading about the potential horror stories of metal chips, etc being fried in the turbo, I had decided already to put the pyrometer post tubo and not worry about a potentially bad install. I probably will go for the gauges since I trust gauges more than idiot lights. I had thought briefly about installing the RR4 but understand Cummins will not be supplying it in 2003 for lack of owner interest. Analog gauges look better anyway.

 

[illflem]

Originally posted by JJacobs

After reading about the potential horror stories of metal chips, etc being fried in the turbo. .

I haven't heard of even one instance of metal chips or a failed probe causing turbo damage. It doesn't mean you can be sloppy though. Install it pre-turbo where it will do some good and forget about it.

As for warranties, if they gave a price break for no warranty whatsoever that's the direction I would go. My experience with dealer service is that it's counter productive, they screw up more than they fix. I'd rather save my money and fix it myself or take to a mechanic that gets paid more than a hair above minimum wage.

 

[Big Best]

warranties

Iwent with warranty gold. you take it to whoever you want. THEY wont know about your up grades. and they are good. Igo to a chevy dealer,where i lve . for good work

 

[RFirpo]

extended warrenty

I got the extended warranty and so far I am OK with it. The warranty paid for the master and slave on the clutch[the clutch is excluded under the basic 100k warranty] and this cost me $50 rather than the dealers $360. This happened at 40k miles. The lift pump went out at 38k miles and this was covered under the emissions warranty, the oil pressure sender went out and this was covered under the basic warranty. The steering was also adjusted by their Cummins mechanic at 25k. So far McPeeks truck stop in Anaheim has provided quick and efficient service, I am very pleased with them and the vehicle. TDoc Fullerton,Ca