what voids the warranty

[desertryder]

I read of all the engine mods just what can I do to my trucks engine that DOESN'T void the factory warranty?

 

[dodgerep]

600-610

From what I have been able to find out, there is no physical differences in the motors. There was a computer flash that allowed for more power. Heck, after you get it, who cares you will have it turned up to about a thousand anyway... . :-laf :-laf :-laf

 

[Mike B.]

Maybe an after market airfilter or a bypass oil filter system. you could also get away with gauges although tapping the exhaust manifold would (I guessing here) void the warranty on that part or maybe the turbo if metal flakes did damage.



really, you can't change anything that makes you smile. I expect to void the warranty on my 05 right around the 20k mile mark.



Mike

 

[Buffalo]

I've been doing a bit of research on this subject. Talked to a number of Dodge/Cummins mechanics and Dealer service mgr's. and writers at a number of local dealers.

The consensus is: Changing air filters and mufflers is OK. You must have an air filter and muffler on the truck, though. Guages are OK, also.

Anything that messes around with the fuel delivery system is a big No,No! The downloaders leave a big footprint in the trucks computer that can be "easily" be seen by the dealer. Preasure boxes (Edge EZ) can be seen but, are a little harder to find. You can also take them off the truck before you take it in for service. But, the dealers arent stupid. They are looking for telltale signs of a box (velcro mounts, cleaner than normal connectors, etc. ).

The preasure boxes can pretty easily overpower the preasure relief valve in the common rail. That valve is not designed to be used on a regular basis.

There is alot of information in the latest issue of the TDR on this subject.

I think I've pretty much decided to try to keep my warranty intact. With the number of "injector/fuel delivery" issues, it would be pretty expensive to correct these on my dime/dollar, MANY dollars!

I put an AFE ProGuard-7 intake system with Torque Tube, on my truck, and removed the silencer ring. Also, put a Magnaflow exhaust on for a throatier sound.

I may not be the fastest kid on the block but, the truck sounds like it has more performance than it really does. I enjoy driving it. It's a little bit different but, still has the warranty.

Hope this helps you out a bit with your decision. I'm no expert in these matters but, have learned a little bit from others that have more expertise.

Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[GCross]

I agree with Buffalo, with one added point. Warranty work acceptace or denial seems to rest with each individual dealer and if you're denied, DC will not be of much help, You will be on your own to find a dealer that will overlook whatever mod you have made.



-George-

 

[BHolm]

The LAW states that the manufacturer must PROVE that the aftermarket part you added was the CAUSE of the failure of the part you want warranty coverage on. That means to me that there is no blanket statement and that it is not up to the dealer. They can say what ever they want but if you pursue it, which you must, the are obligated to prove that whatever you changed was the cause of the problem. This based on the Magnuson-Moss warranty act, not on what DC or their dealers would tell you.



I have seen Banks products ripped here, also seen them praised. They CLAIM to remain within all of the engines parameters with their mods. They also CLAIM to support customers in the pursuit of warranty coverage if denied.



I think you can do whatever you want but you obviously risk losing coverage if the changes you make cause a failure. Things like sending 800+ lb/ft of torque through a stock transmission or cluth, not to mention the u-joints and differentials will probably get you denied and rightfully so. However if the power box does not exceed the specs for pressure and an injector fails, it should be covered though you will likely have to fight to get it done.

 

[DPKetchum]

As I stated before D. C. voids a warranty. NOT a Service manager,service writer or a tech. If you tear up a engine THEY always look long and hard as its not easy or normal for one to tear up. But thats looked aton any engine failure these days. Repeated torn up transmissions. Some techs or ones I knew were so tired of the hoops that Star or any tech line made them jump through know what to say to get it repaired and parts asap if you know what I mean. I have seen Star turn VP44 injection pump down because of Banks equipment. Banks sent a NEW pump and said thy would deal with D. C. Tech said I SCREWED UP and made a MESS. Banks stuff had nothing to do with a VP44 failure as WE all knew. Tech stated it was the last time he'd ever mention any thing about a bombed truck to THEM.

 

[p-Bar]

Alot of great points made on this thread. We must remember D. C. buys these motors with no warranty from Cummins , so they have to kick and scream when they see some of the mods done to these motors.

 

[tjm]

just picked up my new 05, 3500 drw. read the owners manual last night. The only thing the owners manual says is that if you alter the odometer in any way shape or fashion the entire vehicle warranty is voided. Seem to simple doesnt it?

 

[klenger]

Read the warranty manual. It has more information about what you cannot do if you want to maintain your warranty than the owner's manual.

 

[patcarman]

desertryder,it all boils down to the service man,i live in indiana and i bought my truck from westgate chrysler,wich was formerly carson chrysler,and before i sighned the papers, i went back and talked to the head service manager. we went for a walk in the parking lot, and i asked him about performance mods on a diesel,he said that exhaust,gauges, airfilter,turbo of any make were ok,then he said if i put a box on it,he didnt care but if it was in for work asked that i take it off,and at last he said that if i put injectors in he didnt care,but if somthing real bad happend and chrysler would send someone to look at it, it could be a problem,but not usally,so it depends on how cool your dealer is i guess,hope i was of some help... .

 

[Tony T.]

A mechanic friend of mine told me here a couple of years ago he had a customer with a stock Dodge CTD in his shop that the injector pump was out on, the truck had like 100,100 miles on the odometer. He called Dodge and told them about it only being 100 miles over on the mileage, but the time limit was still intact, I think it was 5year/100,000 warranty at the time. Long story short they went ahead and honored the warranty and replaced the pump. I'm sure the CTD owner probably had to pay something I know he (friend mechanic) told me, but I can't remember exactly what it was deductable, partial labor I don't remember. Anyway he (the customer) didn't have to fork out for a new pump. So I guess it does depend on the dealership or service manager.





Tony

 

[john3976]

All the dealer had to do was write up the truck as only having 99,574 miles on it and it would have been a none issue.



Years ago when I worked for a Dodge and a Chrysler dealer we would do that for a customer if the car was just out of warranty, it made for better relations with the customer to just cover something that was about 1200 or less miles out of warranty.

 

[DPKetchum]

In the past D. C. never hasd a problem with a few miles out. A FEW.

 

[sag2]

The one thing that DC will come down HARD on the dealer is fraud. If a dealer backs up the mileage on a repair order it will be completely charged back, no exceptions. Seems like there is always another repair order in the system that busts the dealer. Once they find fraud on one claim, they REALLY look hard at the rest of the claims. The auditor runs a report that lists all claims within X miles of 12,000, 36,000, 50,000, 70,000, 80,000 100,000. They then pull those files, and waala!

The stupid part is, most dealers have self authorization for out of warranty repairs for at least 12/12 beyond the warranty. The best dealers have even more self authorization authority.

 

[DPKetchum]

100% correct.

 

[justinp20012500]

you could also get away with gauges although tapping the exhaust manifold would (I guessing here) void the warranty on that part or maybe the turbo if metal flakes did damage.





Mike

Are you kidding me?? The little savings (the ones that actually get into the manifold) are not going to do a thing to the turbo!!



My dad is a service tech that routinely installs gauges on the new trucks. And sometimes I do it because I have done more then he has and is faster at it.



He has never had any problems tapping the manifold and turbo failure. Maybe if you drop the tap in there you would have a problem.



The guys at Gillett Diesel have done about 15 sets of gauges every week for the last 5 years on all types of diesels and have never had a turbo related "shaving" failure.



That is the craziest thing I have heard!!



The second you start the truck the shavings are already past the turbo and half way down the exhaust before the truck starts.



If you are extremely paranoid about it you can pull the fuel system relay and crank the motor for 10 seconds and blow the shavings out without having the Cummins start.







O ya,



The stuff that voids your warranty is anything that you have done that directly relates to what failed.



IE.



Stuck injector + signs of fueling/timing/pressure box = voided warranty



Fried transmission + signs of fueling/timing/pressure box = voided warranty



Smoked clutch + signs of fueling/timing/pressure box = voided warranty



Smoked motor + very old oil = voided warranty (I actually witnessed that one first hand, the guy's truck was going to get repossessed anyway so he didn't change the oil for 75,000 "rough guess". The dealer told him to pee up a rope on a new engine replacement)



Mileage less then the last time you had work done = voided warranty



Huge tires/suspension lift + any drive train problems/vibrations = voided warranty



*IF* you installed your gauges and tried to tap into the gauge cluster for power to run the gauges and your cluster fails, or has problems that will = voided warranty on fixing the cluster.





I think you can kind of see where all the above is going.





Anyway, my dads dealship is very lenient to guys that mod their trucks and have problems.



If you have a pressure box on your truck and the stereo quits working you WILL get it fixed!!





Justin

 

[DPKetchum]

Real common sense approach with the bull removed.