Voiding warranty
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 411
Likes: 1
From: Newhall CA
Voiding warranty
I am about to void my warranty by changing the heads/cam on the vehicle. How can I minimize the possibility of the dealer 'noticing' my changes?
Does the factory apply Glyptol (or something like it) during engine assembly?
The heads I am putting on have the '241' casting, so that won't be obvious. I know if they pull the valve covers they'll see the shims, so I'd be screwed right there. I don't intend to have the dealer perform engine work, but I may have them do peripheral things like alternator, A/C compressor, PCM, etc.. Basically, the things that I know I didn't 'break' will be handled by them.
What things do I need to do when I do the R&R to keep it looking like a factory job? I am not changing anything else on the vehicle, so it will look and sound stock.
Thanks!
- C5B
Does the factory apply Glyptol (or something like it) during engine assembly?
The heads I am putting on have the '241' casting, so that won't be obvious. I know if they pull the valve covers they'll see the shims, so I'd be screwed right there. I don't intend to have the dealer perform engine work, but I may have them do peripheral things like alternator, A/C compressor, PCM, etc.. Basically, the things that I know I didn't 'break' will be handled by them.
What things do I need to do when I do the R&R to keep it looking like a factory job? I am not changing anything else on the vehicle, so it will look and sound stock.
Thanks!
- C5B
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,072
Likes: 1,557
From: Poway CA
2025 C1 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
2024 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C1 of Year Finalist (stock)
2019 C1 of Year Finalist (stock)
2016 C1 of Year Finalist
Re: Voiding warranty (C5B)
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=509768
I can't help, but I'm thinking of robbing the Wells Fargo office in downtown San Francisco next tuesday at 2:45 pm. Do any of you have any tips for me? :hat
Sorry - couldn't resist.
I can't help, but I'm thinking of robbing the Wells Fargo office in downtown San Francisco next tuesday at 2:45 pm. Do any of you have any tips for me? :hat
Sorry - couldn't resist.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 4,010
Likes: 1
From: SE Idaho
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Voiding warranty (C5B)
Basically for GM to refuse to pay warranty on warranty items, they must be able to prove that the modification affected the damaged part. Changing your heads does not affect the generator, A/C compressor, etc.
Also understand that laws vary between states, and in some states, it is more difficult for GM to void the warranty.
Also, technically a dealer can't void a warranty, since they do not offer the warranty, the warranty is offered by General Motors Corp. Dealers are private enterprises. They can contact GM, who will decide if the part voids the warranty.
Also understand that laws vary between states, and in some states, it is more difficult for GM to void the warranty.
Also, technically a dealer can't void a warranty, since they do not offer the warranty, the warranty is offered by General Motors Corp. Dealers are private enterprises. They can contact GM, who will decide if the part voids the warranty.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Re: Voiding warranty (C5B)
probably not what you want to hear, but just accept the fact the warranty on your engine, tranny, and the rest of the drivetrain are NLA.
That's a decision we all have to make when doing power improving mods to our newer C5's.
That's a decision we all have to make when doing power improving mods to our newer C5's.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 411
Likes: 1
From: Newhall CA
Re: Voiding warranty (Mike Mercury)
probably not what you want to hear, but just accept the fact the warranty on your engine, tranny, and the rest of the drivetrain are NLA.
I think it means I am on my own :yesnod:
Thanks!
- C5B
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 16,477
Likes: 26
From: Gone
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
Re: Voiding warranty (C5B)
Damn. Okay, so I take it NLA is synonymous for SOL :cry Really, what does NLA stand for?
SOL would be a better term if you toast the motor or drivetrain afterwards though. :D
:cheers:
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Re: Voiding warranty (C5B)
No Longer Applicable.
I wish I had your hutspa (sp) to do a head & cam upgrade. I'm too scared about losing my engine/drivetrain warranty... so I instead chickened out. :sad:
I wish I had your hutspa (sp) to do a head & cam upgrade. I'm too scared about losing my engine/drivetrain warranty... so I instead chickened out. :sad:
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 411
Likes: 1
From: Newhall CA
Re: Voiding warranty (Mike Mercury)
No Longer Applicable.
I wish I had your hutspa (sp) to do a head & cam upgrade. I'm too scared about losing my engine/drivetrain warranty... so I instead chickened out. :sad:
I wish I had your hutspa (sp) to do a head & cam upgrade. I'm too scared about losing my engine/drivetrain warranty... so I instead chickened out. :sad:
I do believe that what comes around goes around (bad karma and all that). I really wouldn't expect GM to fix a problem that I created.
Alright, I have my answer..... kind of :)
Thanks! :cheers:
- C5B
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 26
From: Cypress TX
Re: Voiding warranty (C5B)
I think that if you find the right dealership, your warranty results will vary.... I've had considerable warranty work done AFTER heads/cam/mcleod dual disk, etc... including drive train work caused by my rear differential leaking. They know my car is modded but they also know the leaking wasn't caused by the mods so they fixed it. But again, you have to have an understanding/fair dealership. By the same token, I don't abuse my warranty coverage. I blew up my rear differential at the drag strip about 2 weeks after the dealership did all their work on it but I didn't bring it back to them- I took it to MTI and paid for those repairs because I knew they were my fault.
I have GMPP on my car.
Good luck,
Justin
I have GMPP on my car.
Good luck,
Justin
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,986
Likes: 24,716
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Re: Voiding warranty (C5B)
Don't know how GM assembles the engine, but for them to deny warranty coverage, the failed part would have to be related to the modification you did. Find yourself a mod friendly dealer and discuss with them. That way, you know what to expect.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,557
Likes: 0
From: Columbia MD
Re: Voiding warranty (JDs00PewterCoupe)
Personally I don't care what you have done to the car but as was previously stated,don't expect coverage on a modified component. Each AVM has his own views on warranty expense and what is related and what isn't.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 411
Likes: 1
From: Newhall CA
Re: Voiding warranty (ambitin)
By the same token, I don't abuse my warranty coverage. I blew up my rear differential at the drag strip about 2 weeks after the dealership did all their work on it but I didn't bring it back to them- I took it to MTI and paid for those repairs because I knew they were my fault.
Thanks!
- C5B
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 995
Likes: 0
From: Lake Villa Illinois
Re: Voiding warranty (JDs00PewterCoupe)
Don't know how GM assembles the engine, but for them to deny warranty coverage, the failed part would have to be related to the modification you did. Find yourself a mod friendly dealer and discuss with them. That way, you know what to expect.
:cheers:
-Chris
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 4,010
Likes: 1
From: SE Idaho
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Voiding warranty (cselz)
There are laws on voiding a warranty, and basically in layman's language it states:
A manufacturer may not reject a warranty claim only because an aftermarket item is present. Warranty work can only be denied if an aftermarket part caused the failure being claimed under warranty.
Most states have agencies that will step in and fight for your warranty rights.
A manufacturer may not reject a warranty claim only because an aftermarket item is present. Warranty work can only be denied if an aftermarket part caused the failure being claimed under warranty.
Most states have agencies that will step in and fight for your warranty rights.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 483
Likes: 0
From: Austin Tx
Re: Voiding warranty (WhiteC5Vette)
So what you are trying to say is that: (for example)
A) Chevy engineered the connecting rods and setup the rest of the engine for lonmg life at 350 FWHP;
B) You added a set of heads and cams, raised the red line and end up with 450 RWHP;
C) then find a connecting rod failure;
that Chevy should warentee a part that is now obviously overstressed?
It is just plain wrong to blame Chevy for this failure, as it would not have happened if the engine were left alone.
Whether you can get Chevy to pay for thie abuse is one thing, and Chevy may pay for it just to keep you happy, but remember it does end up RAISING the cost of cars over time, effectively, making those who don't mod their cars pay for those who do. This is just wrong.
<donning flame protecting suit--flame away>
A) Chevy engineered the connecting rods and setup the rest of the engine for lonmg life at 350 FWHP;
B) You added a set of heads and cams, raised the red line and end up with 450 RWHP;
C) then find a connecting rod failure;
that Chevy should warentee a part that is now obviously overstressed?
It is just plain wrong to blame Chevy for this failure, as it would not have happened if the engine were left alone.
Whether you can get Chevy to pay for thie abuse is one thing, and Chevy may pay for it just to keep you happy, but remember it does end up RAISING the cost of cars over time, effectively, making those who don't mod their cars pay for those who do. This is just wrong.
<donning flame protecting suit--flame away>
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 4,010
Likes: 1
From: SE Idaho
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Voiding warranty (Mitch Alsup)
From the original post I took it the person was asking about components that would not be affected by changing the heads, cam, etc. I cannot see how an A/C compressor, or generator would be damaged by this change. I'm just trying to say in my previous posts that GM must prove the modification damaged the part being replaced.
I agree, if someone adds a blower, changes the heads, cam, etc., then blows a rod, GM should not be liable for the repair.
I agree, if someone adds a blower, changes the heads, cam, etc., then blows a rod, GM should not be liable for the repair.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 411
Likes: 1
From: Newhall CA
Re: Voiding warranty (Mitch Alsup)
So what you are trying to say is that: (for example)
A) Chevy engineered the connecting rods and setup the rest of the engine for lonmg life at 350 FWHP;
B) You added a set of heads and cams, raised the red line and end up with 450 RWHP;
C) then find a connecting rod failure;
that Chevy should warentee a part that is now obviously overstressed?
It is just plain wrong to blame Chevy for this failure, as it would not have happened if the engine were left alone.
Whether you can get Chevy to pay for thie abuse is one thing, and Chevy may pay for it just to keep you happy, but remember it does end up RAISING the cost of cars over time, effectively, making those who don't mod their cars pay for those who do. This is just wrong.
<donning flame protecting suit--flame away>
A) Chevy engineered the connecting rods and setup the rest of the engine for lonmg life at 350 FWHP;
B) You added a set of heads and cams, raised the red line and end up with 450 RWHP;
C) then find a connecting rod failure;
that Chevy should warentee a part that is now obviously overstressed?
It is just plain wrong to blame Chevy for this failure, as it would not have happened if the engine were left alone.
Whether you can get Chevy to pay for thie abuse is one thing, and Chevy may pay for it just to keep you happy, but remember it does end up RAISING the cost of cars over time, effectively, making those who don't mod their cars pay for those who do. This is just wrong.
<donning flame protecting suit--flame away>
Actually, my short block is engineered for at least 405fwhp as it's the same as the LS6. So, in theory, if I were to change to LS6 heads/cam and reach 405fwhp, then a blown rod would be well within Chevy's liability..... in my opinion :) But, I still wouldn't expect them to handle it. I AM referring to peripheral components, not the long block.
I did say, in a previous post, that wouldn't expect them to cover a problem that I created. I wouldn't expect them to replace my valve springs because they cracked if I revved it up to 6000rpm @ 30 degrees F. I WOULD expect them to replace my radiator if it developed a leak 10,000 miles after I removed/replaced it during the head/cam swap.
Folks, I am not stupid, just inexperienced with new vehicle warranties and modifications. This will be that last time I view this thread as some people are assuming I am trying to cheat the system. I have a few friends that take advantage of everyone and everything that they can; I despise that part of their character.
:cheers:
- C5B