Frantz Filter Voids Warranty!?

[Axion]

Well, I am a little concerned to say the least. I have recently had some problems with my truck. The details can be found in the thread titled "First time left stranded!" I would link it here but I don't know how.



To make a long story short, the dealership looking at my truck had no idea what a Frantz filter was or what it did. The service advisor mentioned that the installation of this afermarket accessory could possibly void my warranty!



My thought is that I have a clogged injector, the diesel tech at the dealership said it sounds like I may have dropped a valve. If they void my warranty it could end up being a hefty bite in the old pocketbook.



Does anyone out there have any experience with having a bypass filter installed and Dodge cutting them loose because of it?

 

[FourBarR]

I would say that if its not on the dodge or cummins approved list they could void the warrenty. It doesnt take much these days for them to do it ,they will use any excuse. hope it not in your case.

 

[RobertP]

there is no way they can void your warranty because of added filtration.

dodge already knows that the factory filtration is not enough.

 

[Axion]

My thoughts exactly. The service advisor just mentioned the possibility since it is aftermarket equipment. I can see where chips and programmers can cause issues but I could not see how the Frantz could be anything but a good thing.



I'm really hoping that the service advisor is just not aware and that once they talk to Dodge on Monday this will all be just a bad dream!



If it does turn out to be major damage and Dodge does leave me hanging, we're going to have words! :-{} I will of course be polite and respectful but dogged persistence and patience are things I have in spades. :-laf

 

[Johnstra]

If you explain to them directly what the bypass filtration system does, there should be no issue. The only thing they could assert is that if it is an oiling issue (clogged oil passage or some such), you might be up the up the creek. Beyond that, they'd be very hard-pressed to blame a mechanical failure on your bypass filtration system.

-john

 

[sfr1047]

I would print out some information about your system and give it to them. Go to the manufacturers website and print their product flyer and a diagram of how it is plumbed.

 

[CDonaldson]

Bypass filtration is an industry standard regarding it's use in diesels in large fleet operations. Where you might have issues is with regard to the specifics of the filtration, ie approved filters/filter materials themselves. While many companies filter systems and filter materials have been appropriately tested, many have passed a standard and many have not. Since the Frantz relies on toilet paper for filtration, an oil sample that rules out the toilet paper materials in the oil might be your only leg to stand on in argument that the filtration materials did not cause or contribute to your current problem. I would see that being DC's argument regarding the Frantz unit. I know that many use the Frantz unit, many of them do oil testing, and if the toilet paper were an issue, their oil testing would have indicated it as a problem. So, since we have not see those type of comments here and on other boards I can only assume the toilet paper NOT to be an issue. How DC would see the unit IS another story, and you might have to prove it is not directly connected. I also would provide inforomation regarding your system, and I would even direct them to the Frantz information, but I would also have a backup oil sample test verifying the toilet paper was not the issue. I have the Amsoil bypass and i am sure that if I had any issue similar to yours I would also be getting grief from the same standpoint. I do oil sampling with ever oil change, so I have a history of the conditions of my oil at my interval changes. There have been no indication of filter element breakdown in my sampling results.



CD

 

[amsoilman]

Many years ago, Amsoil went to bat for a customer that had installed the Amsoil By-pass unit on a Dodge automobile. The case was taken to court, and Amsoil won the case, as it was proven the by-pass did not cause the problem in question. Of course this was back in the early 80's, but if this became an issue with Amsoil by-pass filters, Amsoil would also step in and defend their system, provided the customer was using it in complete compliance with their recommendations. Perhaps the "Frantz" people would do the same.



Wayne

 

[Axion]

Thanks CD, you make a couple of valid points. I have been doing the oil analysis routine since my second oil change and have only missed once, the tech forgot to fill the bottle when draining so the service manager didn't charge me for the oil change. So I do have a history for oil quality both before and after the Frantz install. I'm really glad I have those now!



At some point I'll have to post pictures of the install and the oil analysis results. I don't know much about oil so when I read the analysis report its kind of like reading Greek! Again, maybe someone here will be able to help with translation once I get them posted.



Amsoilman; its nice to see when companies go to bat for their customers. Hopefully it won't come to that in this case, but I'll keep it in mind. Too bad DC doesn't stand behind their products like that! I realize DC also gets hit with frivolous warranty claims but when you've done everything right and are only trying to get whats fair, it can be frustrating. Again, by Monday afternoon this should all be cleared up.



As suggested I will print out some literature and take it into the dealership regardless of the outcome. Maybe if I can educate them a little now, it'll save someone else the grief down the road.

 

[Axion]

Warranty still stands!

The problem with my truck turned out to be a busted exhaust rocker arm. The dealership that did the repair, not the one that pronounced a dropped valve, said the Frantz would have no effect on my warranty whatsoever. Oo.



I guess it comes down to a diesel tech and service advisor not being up to speed on bypass oil filters for diesel trucks. I educated them a little and hopefully they won't freak out any other Cummins owners about voided warranties.



Thanks everyone for your input.

 

[CDonaldson]

Glad to hear that it turned out better than you expected, or at least NOT what was first thought regarding your bypass filter. It is a shame that you had to seek another dealership to get your problems solved. Considering the cost of our vehicles, we certainly should have better service knowledge, DC should spend MORE time training them HOW to fix our trucks rather than training them on aftermarket no-no's and how to dislaim legit problems.



CD