Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) K&N filter voids warranty???

[superdave]

just left my local dodge dealer,,went by to look at the 2003 1 ton... one of my friends was there having his dodge checked for something and the service writer told him while i was there that K&N filters were causing some engine failures and that cummins nor dodge nor K&N were standing behind ANY repairs... the writer also showed my friend and me a service bulletin that warned against having Pennzoil or any other brand oil filter other than Mopar, that it would void the warranty if there were a problem... also mentioned was using only Mopar fuel filters..... CAN THIS BE ACCURATE???????????

 

[B9Mile]

The Oil Filter TSB

http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2001/09-004-01.htm



Since Dodge isn't going to spend $$ testing a competitor's filters for compliance, I suspect all of the oil filters listed here are made by Fleetguard.

 

[lkuykendall]

That doesn't sound right. If I remember correctly, there are a number of Dodge dealers that sell K&N. If you don't mind me asking, which dealer was it? I live in the same general area as you and would like to avoid service departments like that if possible.



It sounds like the Dodge dealers are doing anything they can to avoid warranty work.

 

[Texas Diesel]

http://www.cummins.com/na/pages/en/....cfm?uuid=00060D72-0093-1B8D-BCF080C4A8F00000

 

[MJawsman]

Originally posted by lkuykendall

That doesn't sound right. If I remember correctly, there are a number of Dodge dealers that sell K&N. If you don't mind me asking, which dealer was it? I live in the same general area as you and would like to avoid service departments like that if possible.



It sounds like the Dodge dealers are doing anything they can to avoid warranty work.

K&N filters are listed in the Mopar Performance Parts Catalog for crying out loud! What is their problem??

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Since Cummins withdrew their stamp of approval on the K&Ns, I thought Dodge dealerships stopped selling them.



Cummins says they don't recommend them. . .



http://www.cummins.com/na/pages/en/....cfm?uuid=00060D72-0093-1B8D-BCF080C4A8F00000



Vaughn

 

[lkuykendall]

Vaughn, you may be right about them not carrying K&N any longer. I haven't stepped foot in a dealer in a long time but I thought there were dealers that carried K&N filters at one time.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Since it's pretty obvious DC is constantly going to greater lengths to limit their warranty liabilities from use of non-approved, non certified products, doesn't it make sense to be careful about your use of non-approved, non certified lubricants as well...

 

[Midnight]

Wouldn't it make sence that the dealers supply the filters if that is all they want you to use. What i mean by supply, is to give them out for free. Like that would ever happen!

 

[rrausch]

This is a ploy to gain marketshare. When I was at Moss Bros Dodge, buying a water pump a few months ago they had many K&N filters prominently displayed, INCLUDING several for our beloved Cummins. I've run a K&N for over 55,000 miles and I love it. No oil or dust anywhere except on the outer side of the filter.

 

[PSL53]

K&N

superdave

In was told the same thing at Christopher Dodge in Denver/Golden

Out

Peter

p. s. They kindly changed my K&N to stock for $125 bucks, I have BHAF on order

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by Gary - KJ6Q

Since it's pretty obvious DC is constantly going to greater lengths to limit their warranty liabilities from use of non-approved, non certified products, doesn't it make sense to be careful about your use of non-approved, non certified lubricants as well...

Careful Gary you will start an "OIL" war. Once they start they are hard to end

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

"Careful Gary you will start an "OIL" war. Once they start they are hard to end"



Ain't it the truth! We've lost some VERY good members from oil and transmission wars!



BUT, there seems to be a constant effort by many who love their trucks to seek out the "very BEST" lubes for their beloved trucks - to the point SOME endanger their warranties due to the great sales pitch some well-intended lube-pusher talked them into... AND, like I said, for those SERIOUSLY concerned about their warranty, with DC apparently going overboard to avoid standing behind their warrany obligations, caution might be a good idea for ALL critical products they use in/on their trucks...



*I* don't have to worry - my warranty expired as soon as the Comp was installed on my truck...



"Bring on the Snakeoil!"

 

[A Johnson]

Originally posted by Gary - KJ6Q



BUT, there seems to be a constant effort by many who love their trucks to seek out the "very BEST" lubes for their beloved trucks - to the point SOME endanger their warranties due to the great sales pitch some well-intended lube-pusher talked them into... AND, like I said, for those SERIOUSLY concerned about their warranty, with DC apparently going overboard to avoid standing behind their warrany obligations, caution might be a good idea for ALL critical products they use in/on their trucks...

[/B]

AMEN.



Best thing for those interested in keeping their warranties, is to read them and get clarification on anything they don't understand.



A Johnson

 

[GLASMITHS]

Ever so often there is a mail-out from the local dealer. In it they have Mobile1. However, there is a disclaimer. Meaning that D/C does not warrant; it is on the dealer. Our service writer tried to sell me mobile 1 5W30 for the CTD. My answer was "Are you nuts".

 

[John Berger]

Gary, if what you say is a reflection of the truth, there are quite a few of us that have problems with our warranties. I remember the oil war that got a member booted. I use Amsoil, which is API certified, by the way. So what about Rotella? Mobil? Delo? I use an Amsoil oiled filter. Have since around 7500 miles or so. I've done regular oil analysis and results have always been good to outstanding relative to universal averages with metal wear and filtration. This K&N issue with our trucks is an old one. I remember posts from a couple of years ago that stated that K&N filters, in our trucks, were known to let dirt get by the filter. I believe it was a sealing problem. I've got oil analysis sheets to back me up if I run into a problem with my filter relative to my warranty. I also have a pretty good service department when I need it. This is still annoying, though. My A/C is acting up and is covered under my drivetrain warranty. I wonder if DC will void the warranty on it cause I use an Amsoil filter or because I got Amsoil lubes in the transmission and differential.





Only 19,471 miles till I'm my own warranty station. On paper, anyway. :-laf

 

[amsoilman]

I hate it when some of these dealers try to tell the consumer what to use when it comes to maintaing our vehicles. Especialy when a "service writer" says your warranty is void!



Get it in Writing

If a dealership denies warranty coverage, they should be willing to do so in writing. Have the dealer describe the failure which is causing your problem AND how the dealer believes the aftermarket product installed is responsible for the problem. Keep an accurate log of all contacts and correspondence in addressing the warranty denial.



The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act may also be helpful. Under this federal law, you can sue on breach of express and implied warranties. The main point of interest here is that the Act says warranty coverage may not be conditioned upon the use of only the vehicle manufacturer's parts unless the parts are provided free of charge. In other words, use of a non-carmaker product should not void your warranty unless it caused the problem.





Wayne

amsoilman

 

[superdave]

the service guy from the local dodge dealer said the K&N filters were collapsing into the intake and causing "something". . i did not understand copmpletely as i was standing to one side... why oh why does a company make a really good product and then deny warranty claims... . beats me... have a friend who burned his cummins up (2000). . thermostat stuck and overheated and cracked heads and block. . i saw the engine after the dealer had it broken down... they replaced the engine and less than 3000 miles later my friend had the same overheating problems... sold it and bought a PSD... kinda like the pump problems... if you know there is a problem, with all the high dollar engineers who work for the major auto companies,,,why is it so difficult to find a solution??? Dad always did want me to go to college... .

 

[joel]

Amsoil is NOT API CERTIFIED.....

It just meets the requirments of the various standards.



At least, that's how I understand it. Wayne or other Amsoil folks, correct me if I'm wrong.



And no, I'm not and Amsoil basher - I had it in my engine for aabout 25K before the engine died - and as far as I can tell, not for any lubricity problems.

 

[RustyJC]

Oh, No! Another Oil Thread...

Simple answer to this one (and I ain't got no dog in this fight - I run Delo 400):



Does the oil bottle have the API "donut" on it?



If it does, it's API-certified.



If it doesn't, it's not.



Rusty