Warranty Void With Banks Kit

[lawdog]

Spoke to service rep at Cummins Michigan today in Mt Clemens , MI, who said they put the Banks Power Pack Kit on an '00 or '01 ram recently. Said that rear wheel hp on the dyno was 130 prior and 230 after install. Said the truck was a"rip snorting animal". However, Shortly after install, the injector pump went out, and the friendly local Dodge dealer in Richmond, MI, said, Oh your truck is modified, Your warranty is VOID. Cummins dealer rep says tha the customer came back to them for a reman pump at $1600. 00 instead of the $4200. 00 the dodge dealer wanted for a new one. Cummins dealer says that they will write on receipt on any more banks installs that the warranty will be voided by dodge...

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2000 QC SHORT BED 4X4, 24 VALVE W/ 275 HP INJECTORS, 3. 54 GEARS W/ POSI, AUTO, BLACK WITH EVERYTHING EXCEPT LEATHER,285/75R16 KELLY SAFARI AWR, RAIDER NOMAD CAB HIGH CAP,FACTORY RAZ STEREO W/ STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS, KENWOOD 848 AMP, KENWOOD EXCELON 6X9 IN DOORS AND KENWOOD EXCELON 6IN. ROUND DUAL-MAGS IN REAR DOORS, MTX FACTORY FIT BOX W/ 2-10"SUBS UNDER REAR SEAT

2001 ARCTIC CAT ZR800 TWIN LE BLACK...

 

[illflem]

I think it all comes down to which dealer you go to,seems like some will void the warranty if they see a non-Dodge cigarette lighter. The dealer where I bought my 2500 recommends,installs,offers as an option and warrants Banks kits. Every dealer I ever went to for warranty and recall work has said they thought Banks was a good idea,then did their work as usual.

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95' 25004X4,AT,Driftwood,Banks Stinger,Warn fender flairs and running boards(work truck)
95 3500,5 speed 3:54,BD E-brake,Driftwood,Banks&Psycotty,34,000 GCVW apple and tractor hauler(works harder truck)

 

[John]

The Banks customer needs to call Gale Banks Engineering to let them know of this incident. Banks Engineering has been tracking the 24v injection pump failure issue for some time now. I believe there is pending litigation between Banks and DC over this.

I will bet you one thing... the failed VP44 has a serial number ending in 11.

Chuck Arnold (owner of The PowerShop in Enumclaw, WA) also would like to talk to Banks customers that have experienced warranty denials of the Bosch VP44 injection pump (per his request in the latest addition of Western RV... Nuts & Bolts column, Jan. 2001). Chuck can be contacted by phone at: 1-800-835-8839 or by Email at: Chuck@thepowershop.com

[This message has been edited by John (edited 01-24-2001). ]

 

[Deezal Man]

It is unfortunate that Illflem is correct.

But the worst part is that most people DO NOT know what their rights are as a consumer.
Hence dealers can get away with "fraud"
Sorry folks, don't know how else to say it.

Basically, that owner got screwed. .



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98. 5' 24v 2500 Auto/3. 54 4x4 SB QC 285-75-16's on Alcoa's. Everything but leather. PIAA 1200's, AMSOIL dual filter relocation system, Smittybuilt Stainless Steel Nerfs, Rhino Liner(Junk), K&N air filter(For Sale)15 year AMSOIL dealer. Time permitting, Soon to include Ultra-lite Pyro,0-50lbs boost, Trans temp in the pillar. Rancho 9000's with in cab adjustment.

 

[DavidD]

illflem, I bought a new 98. 5 24V and the dealer installed a BD brake, exhaust and power mod. that I bought from them. I ask about the warranty and they assured me that it wound not void it. I have had no problems but from people on this site it does appear that the dealer makes a big dif. ! luckly mine has been really great.

 

[Mopar-muscle]

hate to say it , but DC's network of doing nothing dealers has struck again ... yes tell banks , good luck ... repeat after me ... I AM MY OWN WARRANTY STATION ...

 

[Banshe]

Before installing my Banks kit, I checked on the dealership's willingness to work warranty issues. Carlin Dodge here in Colorado Springs (of the Texas 7 fame now!) didn't have a problem with it. They said they'll work on it as long as the problem isn't related to the banks system.

How would Ford handle it? My dad has a Ford, so he spoke with the largest Ford dealership around and was told that they would not do any warranty work on his truck if he had the Banks kit installed. Ford dealerships apparently can refuse to work on any vehicle they don't want to mess with. Ford HQ confirmed this to be true.

 

[lawdog]

I am printing this off to take to Cummins Michigan to pass on to the customer, and for thier info. I will check with my dealer, Colonial Dodge in Eastpointe, MI, to see what their feelings are. I know the service mgr came from some dealer in northern Washington, and has said they used to take trucks across into Canada to BD for goodies...

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2000 QC SHORT BED 4X4, 24 VALVE W/ 275 HP INJECTORS, 3. 54 GEARS W/ POSI, AUTO, BLACK WITH EVERYTHING EXCEPT LEATHER,285/75R16 KELLY SAFARI AWR, RAIDER NOMAD CAB HIGH CAP,FACTORY RAZ STEREO W/ STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS, KENWOOD 848 AMP, KENWOOD EXCELON 6X9 IN DOORS AND KENWOOD EXCELON 6IN. ROUND DUAL-MAGS IN REAR DOORS, MTX FACTORY FIT BOX W/ 2-10"SUBS UNDER REAR SEAT

2001 ARCTIC CAT ZR800 TWIN LE BLACK...

 

[BillH]

LAWDOG, that does not surprise me about that dealer (Huvaere chrysler plymouth dodge). It is my opinion they are very diffucult to deal with, once you have made a purchase.

 

[MO MONEY]

Sorry to here about your situation. Check out this web site www.usdieselparts.com they have a great write up for you on the Magnuson Moss Act. Print it off and take it to the dealer with you and it just might surprise somebody there.

Good Luck...

 

[PeterT]

The issue of dealers attempting to deny warranty based on the mere presence of an aftermarket product is not a new one. This has been going on for some time and has become somewhat of a greater issue because of the problems that Dodge is experiencing with injection pumps. The fact remains that if a dealer is doing things by the book, there should be a causal analysis done before warranty work is denied. For obvious reasons, if an aftermarket product is responsible for a problem, then a dealer should not be held responsible for the repair work. But time and time again, we hear about dealers skipping the step of determining the actual cause of the problem, and deciding that just because there is an aftermarket product, that the warranty work should be denied, and/or the warranty on the engine is void. Your warranty statement is clear in the fact that an aftermarket product will not, in and of itself, void a warranty. This is supported by Magnuson-Moss (for more info on Magnuson-Moss, see http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/buspubs/warranty/undermag.htm).

As the injection pump problem began to surface, we of course wanted to be certain that our product was NOT responsible in any way. Our research indicates that the source of the failure seems to be related to an improperly finished component in the pump, leaving a burr that can dislodge at any time, causing the pump to seize and fail (I believe that this issue has been discussed at great length elsewhere in this forum). We have tested and TRIED to cause injection pump failures by using excessive calibrations, hooking things up wrong, etc. , and have determined that our method of fuel enhancement is not responsible for failures. Our research also indicates that the pump problem seems to impact about 2% of the 24-valve truck population.

Whenever a customer has a problem with getting proper service at a dealer, I encourage him to go to the dealer with his warranty in hand (it’s in your Owner’s Manual) and ask the questions about why they have denied him warranty, emphasizing the issue of causal analysis. There are many dealers that are very aware of the situation and do not attempt to duck warranty work. As others have suggested, it may be beneficial to find a dealer that installs aftermarket product themselves. They are likely to be the most understanding of the situation. There are a number of dealers that install Banks product that can be recommended.

Peter Treydte
Director of Technical Communications
Banks Power

 

[John HBD]

Can you give me the name of a Dodge Dealer that installs Banks products. E-mail with there name.
Thanks
John

 

[Mopar-muscle]

peter , that is well put , answer this one ... honestly ... i have a ram with a blown drivetrain compoment lets say transmission , i am at the mercy of a dealer that decides its broken because of the banks ( or any other) components installed on the truck . they call dc and tell dc the failure was caused by my mods and if i want it fixed i have to pay , oh and by the way they decided to void any warranty i have .

take JNutter as a case in point , don't know if you saw that mess , but all he had was a VA , his engine failed with less than 10k miles , dealer had printouts of posts from this site , told DC about it , didn't even diagnose the problem correctly , denied warranty . he had to have it towed to cummins and pay 6k to repair it ?????

not everyone has the money and the time to fight DC after the fact . you talk a good game , but is BANKS willing to pay for my repair and help me fight DC to get reimbursed ?????

[This message has been edited by Mopar-muscle (edited 02-03-2001). ]

 

[Chad Sheets]

Most dealers have a hard enough time finding help that is knowledgeable in the diesel field, let alone knowledgeable in the modified diesel field.

I once talked to a LONG time Chryco tech (+20 years now) who has more certificates and letters from DC than anyone I have ever seen. This guy has a mechanical and electronic engineering degree, not to mention all the other class certificates from auto schools. He was under the impression you had to crack the injector lines every time you changed fuel filters to prime the system on our Cummins. The knowledge just isnt out there for dealerships. They are not going to fix what they dont understand.

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Always ready to help!
2000 2500 Red Sport quad cab, 4x4, K&N, DDI's, straight piped, boost, pyro and fuel pressure gages, Hot Power Edge, EZ box, mean looking set of 33. 5" tires, Snap On diamond tool box, Marine Corps window sticker, Semper Fi!

1972 340 Cuda'. Original tripple Black, 340 car w/air. Good clean car, super stock springs, Weld Prostars, shaker hood, strong 340 with a 727/4000 stahl, 4. 56... . Bombs away!
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[RobG]

Peter is right, and I will be using that to my advantage when trying to get my Camaro repaired under warranty because of a bad bearing in the transmission. The dealer refuses to even LOOK at the car because there is a supercharger on it. But my point is that this very dealer rebuilt the transmission a year ago before the blower was ever installed. I believe there is a defect in a replaced part.

Likewise, since it IS up to the dealer to prove that a part has voided a warranty, I don't see how the "VOID" sticker that Dodge is putting on the motors could ever hold up in court if things got nasty.

Rob


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2001. 5 RAM 3500 QC 4x4 ETH/DEE Silver/Agate 4. 10 USGear OD, Rickson 19. 5 Wheels, Edge EZ, SPA Guages, Firestone Airbags, Hellwig Rear Swaybar, Torklift Superhitch & Camper Tiedowns, much more.

 

[1tuffram]

Rob,

Mopar-muscle hit it on the head. Most of us do not have the finacial resources or time to bother with taking DC to court, which I'm sure DC knows and uses to their advantage. Another point made earlier is a lot of us do not know our rights in regards to warranty repairs or where to turn when getting jerked around by dealers and DC. So, unfortunatly some truck owners end up getting the "5 star screw".