Warrenty after mods?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: Tempe Arizona
Warrenty after mods?
2007 C6 Auto
I'm thinking about doing some mods - cam, long tube and Exhaust. When something breaks under the hood will I have problems at the dealer? Lets say I have a leak of some type or the power stearing goes out will I be on my own? My installer says in some states its illegal to make cam changes!
With headers the oxygen sensor is removed is this a big deal?
I'm thinking about doing some mods - cam, long tube and Exhaust. When something breaks under the hood will I have problems at the dealer? Lets say I have a leak of some type or the power stearing goes out will I be on my own? My installer says in some states its illegal to make cam changes!
With headers the oxygen sensor is removed is this a big deal?
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
powertrain, electrical, and other separate systems are treated separately when they decide whether to honor the warranty based on your mods. As far as the powertrain warranty goes, anything beyond exhaust and intake voids you. Headers, cam, etc will void you. If you get a powersteering malfunction, that has nothing to do with your powertrain so you should be fine.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,375
Likes: 1
From: Northern CA
The law, and generally the dealer/manufacturers interpretation of it is pretty logical. If it's not reasonable that your mod could have been the source of the failure, then you are generally covered.
Obviously, the modded parts themselves wouldn't be covered. If something downstream broke and higher than stock power could possibly be the cause, the dealer/manufacturer has a legitimate out but will often cut you some slack.
If you are going to mod and want generous warranty coverage, it's a good idea to take all your service business to a mod-friendly dealer and to be on good terms with the service mnager. They have a little flexibility in how they deal with warranty issues.
Obviously, the modded parts themselves wouldn't be covered. If something downstream broke and higher than stock power could possibly be the cause, the dealer/manufacturer has a legitimate out but will often cut you some slack.
If you are going to mod and want generous warranty coverage, it's a good idea to take all your service business to a mod-friendly dealer and to be on good terms with the service mnager. They have a little flexibility in how they deal with warranty issues.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,861
Likes: 1
From: Bremerton WA
St. Jude Donor '09
Cams are usually a give away unless you stick to something of the "cheater" variety. They typically gain about 25 rwhp and sound very close to stock and idle like stock.
You can also get away with ported factory intakes and TB's as they are not outwardly visible. Everything external appears stock
You can also get away with ported factory intakes and TB's as they are not outwardly visible. Everything external appears stock
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 38,772
Likes: 621
From: Boston MA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08,'12-'13
Cams are usually a give away unless you stick to something of the "cheater" variety. They typically gain about 25 rwhp and sound very close to stock and idle like stock.
You can also get away with ported factory intakes and TB's as they are not outwardly visible. Everything external appears stock
You can also get away with ported factory intakes and TB's as they are not outwardly visible. Everything external appears stock
you will get another Warentee
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,611
Likes: 5
From: Thousand Oaks California
2007 C6 Auto
I'm thinking about doing some mods - cam, long tube and Exhaust. When something breaks under the hood will I have problems at the dealer? Lets say I have a leak of some type or the power stearing goes out will I be on my own? My installer says in some states its illegal to make cam changes!
With headers the oxygen sensor is removed is this a big deal?
I'm thinking about doing some mods - cam, long tube and Exhaust. When something breaks under the hood will I have problems at the dealer? Lets say I have a leak of some type or the power stearing goes out will I be on my own? My installer says in some states its illegal to make cam changes!
With headers the oxygen sensor is removed is this a big deal?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 12,094
Likes: 197
From: Colorado Springs, CO
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
The law is one thing but stating they 'have to fix it' or they 'cant void you' is easy but getting a lawyer to fight their decision to void you isnt so fun or easy. People get turned away all the time in spite of the law.
I would find a dealer that does the installs too. Here in NY Ramp chevy does mods all the way to superchargers and honors the factory warranty on the mods. Many tuners will honor extended warranties on heavy mods as long as you use them for the mods.
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Brett Foote
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
I've heard of so-called 'mod-friendly' dealerships but in my experience the dealership aggressively denies warranty service to anything even remotely connected to a modification. With the cost-cutting measures underway by GM, I would imagine their scrutiny of warranty repairs is more intense than ever.
I wish it were otherwise but I understand why....GM spends billions designing and building a car to precise specifications....they warrant the product. Granted, there has to be some connection between the modification and the problem but when someone alters the car and deviates from what GM designed and built, why should GM continue to be liable for (related) repairs?
I dislike the suggestion that you can cheat the dealership/GM with a modification so long as the mod isn't visible or 'obvious'....install a stealth cam or change the gearing in the rear end and they'll never know. I don't think this is right.
I think modifying your car is great but if you do it, be prepared to lose portions of your warranty coverage and accept the responsibility for what you do. If you're concerned about losing warranty coverage, ask your dealership in advance what's 'acceptable.' If they say headers won't void your warranty, ask them to put it in writing (I'd like to see how they respond to that).
I wish it were otherwise but I understand why....GM spends billions designing and building a car to precise specifications....they warrant the product. Granted, there has to be some connection between the modification and the problem but when someone alters the car and deviates from what GM designed and built, why should GM continue to be liable for (related) repairs?
I dislike the suggestion that you can cheat the dealership/GM with a modification so long as the mod isn't visible or 'obvious'....install a stealth cam or change the gearing in the rear end and they'll never know. I don't think this is right.
I think modifying your car is great but if you do it, be prepared to lose portions of your warranty coverage and accept the responsibility for what you do. If you're concerned about losing warranty coverage, ask your dealership in advance what's 'acceptable.' If they say headers won't void your warranty, ask them to put it in writing (I'd like to see how they respond to that).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,375
Likes: 1
From: Northern CA
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: Tempe Arizona
Stopped by the dealer
Just for the fun of it I stopped by the dealer and asked the question about mods. Cats are OK but nothing else. My guess is if you rolled in with a problem that was not in the drive train your OK. If you had a problem with an attached component like power steering etc you would be OK. But try and get them to fix a blown rear end my be a problem.
I think I will keep the warrenty!
I think I will keep the warrenty!