Ford cracking down on Warranty

ltd · 01-06-2009, 05:41 PM

Now, this is not an opinion but an observation.
Saw an FG F6 at ford today, as my G6E-T was getting the fuel sensor and sub woofer replaced. I asked my mate the advisor why it was there and he told me it had oil leaks, with only 6000klms on it. Anyway, it had been there 2 weeks as Ford refused to warrant it. It needs a new sump, timing chain cover and head gasket. All pretty standard warranty items I opined.

Anyway, a ford engineer came up from Melbourne and went over the car with the foreman at the dealership I go to, and found the car had been flashed 36 times. Resultantly, Ford declined to warrant the car. The warranty guy said the car showed evidence of having been at a track, the pcm showed several over temperatures consistent with track use and as Ford design their vehicles for road use only, it was not covered under warranty.

Now, I'm not voicing an opinion as last time I was flamed, but thought it wise to mention it in the hope it may save someone being left with a hefty repair bill.
Finally, CRC and a solicitor are now looking at the case, as Ford conducts more scrutineering tests on the car. Apparently, the next step is more pressure tests and the like, an Xray with a die may be used for porous tests in the metal castings.

Paxton · 01-06-2009, 05:43 PM

Does FPV not include a track day with the purchase of a new FPV product?

That could go some way towards explaining the 'track use' results.

flappist · 01-06-2009, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paxton

Do FPV not include a track day with the purchase of a new FPV product?

That could go some way towards explaining the 'track use' results.

No the FPV track day is very tame. No high speed or continuous runs, you can work the car harder staying within the speed limits on the old putty road etc.

As a side observation, I owned a 271rwkw F6 for almost 3 years and I would have only flashed it about 10 times including resetting it to standard for services.

Paxton · 01-06-2009, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

No the FPV track day is very tame. No high speed or continuous runs, you can work the car harder staying within the speed limits on the old putty road etc.

Ok, thanks for clearing that up.

I was under the impression that FPV offered a track day, but had no idea what was on offer.

**DJM83** · 01-06-2009, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

No the FPV track day is very tame. No high speed or continuous runs, you can work the car harder staying within the speed limits on the old putty road etc.

Thats clears up my theroy of the track day then

mcnews · 01-06-2009, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJM83

Thats clears up my theroy of the track day then

My ZF gearbox went into overheat mode 3 times at the FPV track day in WA. Car was 100% stock.

Smoke Pursuit · 02-06-2009, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

No the FPV track day is very tame. No high speed or continuous runs, you can work the car harder staying within the speed limits on the old putty road etc.

As a side observation, I owned a 271rwkw F6 for almost 3 years and I would have only flashed it about 10 times including resetting it to standard for services.

We did high speed runs around QLD race way for about 20 laps the day i did it.. It was pretty hard on the car and the temp was about 38 degrees on the day..

Therefore i dont agree with what you have said.

As for the car in question, we all know the you play you pay routine..

4Vman · 01-06-2009, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ltd

Now, this is not an opinion but an observation.
Saw an FG F6 at ford today, as my G6E-T was getting the fuel sensor and sub woofer replaced. I asked my mate the advisor why it was there and he told me it had oil leaks, with only 6000klms on it. Anyway, it had been there 2 weeks as Ford refused to warrant it. It needs a new sump, timing chain cover and head gasket. All pretty standard warranty items I opined.

Anyway, a ford engineer came up from Melbourne and went over the car with the foreman at the dealership I go to, and found the car had been flashed 36 times. Resultantly, Ford declined to warrant the car. The warranty guy said the car showed evidence of having been at a track, the pcm showed several over temperatures consistent with track use and as Ford design their vehicles for road use only, it was not covered under warranty.

Now, I'm not voicing an opinion as last time I was flamed, but thought it wise to mention it in the hope it may save someone being left with a hefty repair bill.
Finally, CRC and a solicitor are now looking at the case, as Ford conducts more scrutineering tests on the car. Apparently, the next step is more pressure tests and the like, an Xray with a die may be used for porous tests in the metal castings.

I wouldnt warrant it either if its been flashed 36 times and seen track use..

**Sorted** · 01-06-2009, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

I wouldnt warrant it either if its been flashed 36 times and seen track use..

I am not up with this Flash Tuning Stuff on the BA BF and FG's but 36 times sounds like a massive amount.

When you get it Flash Tuned does it just show up as 1 Time or does it depend on how many times you play with the settings and runs to get it right?

YOOT · 01-06-2009, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ltd

Now, this is not an opinion but an observation.
Saw an FG F6 at ford today, as my G6E-T was getting the fuel sensor and sub woofer replaced. I asked my mate the advisor why it was there and he told me it had oil leaks, with only 6000klms on it. Anyway, it had been there 2 weeks as Ford refused to warrant it. It needs a new sump, timing chain cover and head gasket. All pretty standard warranty items I opined.

Anyway, a ford engineer came up from Melbourne and went over the car with the foreman at the dealership I go to, and found the car had been flashed 36 times. Resultantly, Ford declined to warrant the car. The warranty guy said the car showed evidence of having been at a track, the pcm showed several over temperatures consistent with track use and as Ford design their vehicles for road use only, it was not covered under warranty.

Now, I'm not voicing an opinion as last time I was flamed, but thought it wise to mention it in the hope it may save someone being left with a hefty repair bill.
Finally, CRC and a solicitor are now looking at the case, as Ford conducts more scrutineering tests on the car. Apparently, the next step is more pressure tests and the like, an Xray with a die may be used for porous tests in the metal castings.

I would cost more to pay someone to fly around the country performing elaborate tests and writing reports over a period days then it would to simply order the parts (at cost) and replace them (wages only).

Windsor220 · 01-06-2009, 05:51 PM

Surely if someone has flashed the ECU for more power they cant expect to get warranty on it. Thats just common knowledge.

**DJM83** · 01-06-2009, 05:47 PM

Not even the track day Norm? But i guess the track day wouldnt involve consistant over temps. But i do agree with the not warranting the 36 'flashes'

Whitey-AMG · 01-06-2009, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJM83

Not even the track day Norm? But i guess the track day wouldnt involve consistant over temps. But i do agree with the not warranting the 36 'flashes'

Its more of a DRIVER INSTRUCTION day.........Ahem

The speeds are not anywhere near real TRACK DAY stuff as they normally put witches hats down the straights and some bendy bits to keep the speeds down. This is why you do not need to wear a helmet nor register with CAMS etc.....

Although some of us seemed to have this uncanny ability in finding the straight way around the hats and some of the speeds were a little higher than expected..........

:

Regardless , I think if you read the fine print, FPV nor the organisers are liable for any damage incurred on the day.........in fact, you should always check with your Insurer before going on this event as most may dispute the cover for any sort of track / driver Instruction course..........

As for having a car flashed 30+ times outside of a registered FORD dealership...........YOU PLAY........YOU PAY.

schnoods · 01-06-2009, 05:47 PM

36 times is alot for any car.

BUt it is interesting whether FPV is the same story, a high performance car at a track?

snappy · 01-06-2009, 05:50 PM

They should not be expected to warrant it. By declining these for warranty maybe they could put the money towards the people that deserve the right of claims .
There are to many unfairly treated customers now that deserve better service an also to many that dont .

flappist · 01-06-2009, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snappy84

They should not be expected to warrant it. By declining these for warranty maybe they could put the money towards the people that deserve the right of claims .
There are to many unfairly treated customers now .

On the other hand, they have accused the owner of misuse. If the owner has not admitted anything and this ends up in court it will be most likely that Ford will get the silver medal.

But then if the owner is a goose like one up here who fitted nitrous and had a magazine article published about it before truing to claim the destroyed engine under warranty he might not be successful.

ltd · 01-06-2009, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

On the other hand, they have accused the owner of misuse. If the owner has not admitted anything and this ends up in court it will be most likely that Ford will get the silver medal.

But then if the owner is a goose like one up here who fitted nitrous and had a magazine article published about it before truing to claim the destroyed engine under warranty he might not be successful.

Someone actually did that? Unbelievable.

The ford guy Marty was telling me of a BF XR6T that had a destroyed engine after 30,000klm (this was before they could read the pcm's for flash evidence), and Ford refused the warranty. When the customer mounted a legal challenge (letter of demand etc, legal correspondence), Ford basically referred him to youtube which featured his runs, dyno work with outputs and listed modifications. Subsequently his challenge was withdrawn and he had a mates workshop carry out the repairs.

Bearman · 02-06-2009, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ltd

Someone actually did that? Unbelievable.

The ford guy Marty was telling me of a BF XR6T that had a destroyed engine after 30,000klm (this was before they could read the pcm's for flash evidence), and Ford refused the warranty. When the customer mounted a legal challenge (letter of demand etc, legal correspondence), Ford basically referred him to youtube which featured his runs, dyno work with outputs and listed modifications. Subsequently his challenge was withdrawn and he had a mates workshop carry out the repairs.

What a goose!!

:

:

No mods is a no brainer for warranty compliance and it looks like you have to be right on the interval for services. Sounds too much like common sense to me.

ltd · 01-06-2009, 05:51 PM

It's a nice looking car too, in black. Estimated repair bill is over 7 thousand. Not surprisingly the owner doesn't want to pay for it. Apparently though, it is putting out (the owner boasted about this) over 360rwkw.

GT69 · 01-06-2009, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ltd

It's a nice looking car too, in black. Estimated repair bill is over 7 thousand. Not surprisingly the owner doesn't want to pay for it. Apparently though, it is putting out (the owner boasted about this) over 360rwkw.

Obviously an owner that didnt read the 'you tinker, no warranty' part of the contract

b2tf · 01-06-2009, 05:58 PM

36 times is an awful lot, sounds like it's almost been used for a tuner to "practice" their FG stuff on. Either way, you play you pay.

ltd · 01-06-2009, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b2tf

36 times is an awful lot, sounds like it's almost been used for a tuner to "practice" their FG stuff on. Either way, you play you pay.

I would have thought that as well but apparently the owner has some transport (trucks) business. He is from the bankstown area though so I guess a cousin of his might have had trouble getting it to work (hence 36 attempts).

stevepet · 01-06-2009, 06:13 PM

Just a little bit on ford warranty. Five years ago I purchased a Corier 4X4 diesel. Gearbox let go at 108000kms. Just out of warranty they ended back knocking back the claim the reason i was 1500 kms late for one service. At this service the gearbox oil was even meant to be changed. I love my fords but the FOMOCO sucks.

Steve

4Vman · 01-06-2009, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ltd

It's a nice looking car too, in black. Estimated repair bill is over 7 thousand. Not surprisingly the owner doesn't want to pay for it. Apparently though, it is putting out (the owner boasted about this) over 360rwkw.

He has allot of front to expect Ford to fix it if he's pushing that much boost through it.., no wonder it blew a head gasket and associated other gaskets....
Its not hard to work out why Ford are so careful and picky if this is any example of the types of "abuse" warranty claims they get.

XR_Strider_GuY · 02-06-2009, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ltd

It's a nice looking car too, in black. Estimated repair bill is over 7 thousand. Not surprisingly the owner doesn't want to pay for it. Apparently though, it is putting out (the owner boasted about this) over 360rwkw.

360rwkw is where it gets me and he expects warrenty?? What happened to the you play you pay deal. As we know with tuning the shops who yield more power do not carry out the rigourous testing day in day out like Ford Motor Co do to ensure no spiking on pinging at any weather or temperature.

I wonder if tuning companies are will to offer a km/year period warranty for their work to back the tuning they are doing without sacrificing longetivity.

mcnews · 02-06-2009, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR_Strider_GuY

I wonder if tuning companies are will to offer a km/year period warranty for their work to back the tuning they are doing without sacrificing longetivity.

Nizpro offer a 12 months engine and drivetrain warranty on their Stage 1 and Stage 1 + kits.

vztrt · 01-06-2009, 05:52 PM

Doesn't Nissan void the warranty on their GTR if you have more then two runs down the quarter or not get the car serviced after track work??

snappy · 01-06-2009, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vztrt

Doesn't Nissan void the warranty on their GTR if you have more then two runs down the quarter or not get the car serviced after track work??

I doubt any car company will warrant regular track work

vztrt · 01-06-2009, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snappy84

I doubt any car company will warrant regular track work

My point is its a $150k designed sports car, yet they are very strict on its use.

So thinking your getting warranty on a modified F6 is a tad naive.

Falc'man · 01-06-2009, 07:39 PM

This bloke is silly imo.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vztrt

Doesn't Nissan void the warranty on their GTR if you have more then two runs down the quarter or not get the car serviced after track work??

They voided the warranty if you hard launched the car without DSC/ESP/whatever, as that indicated there was use of the launch control, which voids the warranty on the $70,000 gearbox.

They no longer have launch control on the GT-R as too many peeved customer's kicked up a stink about having to pay that much to replace the not-so-cheap gearbox. Even "Hitler" threatened to buy Porsche after his ordeal.