A simple question - no lectures please
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
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A simple question - no lectures please
Has anyone ACTUALLY BEEN DENIED warranty coverage because of an after market Haltech or AFE air intake? I understand if something were to go wrong, it is possible that GM would try to attribute it to ANYTHING other than their own fault. However, that is not the question I am asking. I really hope this does not turn into a "in my opinion" or "ATE vs Haltech" or "I heard". Anyone have PERSONAL EXPERIENCE with a contested issue like this? Best
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 141
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A simple question - no lectures please
Ask your dealer ... That's the best way my dealership says intake and exhaust would be ok, but I was told not to re-tune the car every dealership says something different so ...I think I will drive mine stock before I do anything, I pick mines up 9/11 at NCM .... Good luck ..
Alcoholics Unanimous
Joined: Aug 2014
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From: 29464
St. Jude Donor '15-'16
^ This.
I've seen GM dealerships try to deny warranty service on a broken nav system because the customer installed GM accessory wheels, I've seen dealers look the other way and give warranty service to owners with major mods which might even have contributed to the issue, and everywhere in between.
The Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act and BBB autoline are a backstop in a worst case scenario, but nothing beats having a positive and clear understanding with your dealer's service department's manager about what their threshold will be depending on the modification. It seems inequitable that there isn't a clear standard, but it is what it is, and your relationship with your dealership will be the most determinant variable.
So there's no way that anyone here can answer that question for you with certainty.
I've seen GM dealerships try to deny warranty service on a broken nav system because the customer installed GM accessory wheels, I've seen dealers look the other way and give warranty service to owners with major mods which might even have contributed to the issue, and everywhere in between.
The Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act and BBB autoline are a backstop in a worst case scenario, but nothing beats having a positive and clear understanding with your dealer's service department's manager about what their threshold will be depending on the modification. It seems inequitable that there isn't a clear standard, but it is what it is, and your relationship with your dealership will be the most determinant variable.
So there's no way that anyone here can answer that question for you with certainty.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Oklahoma City Oklahoma
You would have to be an all pro driver to get all the power and preformance available on a stock ZO6. If you want to spend some money take a week and Bondurant or Spring Mountain.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
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I have raced cars from Watkins Glenn to Daytona for years, and your comment is relevant how exactly?. Best
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
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As someone else said it can vary from dealer to dealer. Probably the most sensible thing and not full proof is to check with the particular dealer used. Best
Melting Slicks
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From: Fair Oaks, California
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Got Boost?!
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From: Houston Texas
St. Jude Donor '15-'16-'17-'18.'19
Some one on here recently blew their motor with intake only. Any one know where that thread is and if it has been updated with details on the warranty claim?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
The air cleaner issue has been addressed a number of times over the years. If you install an air cleaner with a filter that needs oiling (such as a K&N, Donaldson, others) and there is an issue with the MAF sensor they most likely will deny the warranty claim as it is known the oil will contaminate the wire in the sensor. Other than MAF warranty claims I haven't seen anybody claim they have been denied a warranty claim based on having an aftermarket air cleaner.
Another way to think of it is even if an air cleaner and filter didn't filter as much dirt out of the air as the stock filter it would be a long time before the rings wore bad enough to be replaced. With most Corvettes that would be long after the longest duration warranty expired.
Bill
Another way to think of it is even if an air cleaner and filter didn't filter as much dirt out of the air as the stock filter it would be a long time before the rings wore bad enough to be replaced. With most Corvettes that would be long after the longest duration warranty expired.
Bill
Last edited by Bill Dearborn; Aug 30, 2015 at 02:05 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
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Helpful- thanks. Best
The air cleaner issue has been addressed a number of times over the years. If you install an air cleaner with a filter that needs oiling (such as a K&N, Donaldson, others) and there is an issue with the MAF sensor they most likely will deny the warranty claim as it is known the oil will contaminate the wire in the sensor. Other than MAF warranty claims I haven't seen anybody claim they have been denied a warranty claim based on having an aftermarket air cleaner.
Another way to think of it is even if an air cleaner and filter didn't filter as much dirt out of the air as the stock filter it would be a long time before the rings wore bad enough to be replaced. With most Corvettes that would be long after the longest duration warranty expired.
Bill
Another way to think of it is even if an air cleaner and filter didn't filter as much dirt out of the air as the stock filter it would be a long time before the rings wore bad enough to be replaced. With most Corvettes that would be long after the longest duration warranty expired.
Bill
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Melting Slicks
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Le Mans Master
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St. Jude Donor '15
There is no service manager that wants to keep his job that will automatically grant warranty when you bring your blown $30k+ engine in to get replaced. He is going for approval from GM, and it will depend on what information they ask for....the SM, is going to protect his butt not your wallet!
But then, if you believe the conversation you had with the SM when it is hypothetical go for it!
But then, if you believe the conversation you had with the SM when it is hypothetical go for it!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Concord NC
The problem with this is that they (GM) will do their due diligence if you have a catastrophic failure. The computer is going to show them what the A/F ratio and boost pressure were when the failure happened.
Safety Car
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From: Sands Township, Marquette County, Michigan
Cruise-In II Veteran
Thus far no one has answered your question, and given the small % of Vette owners that will even see this post, let me suggest a novel solution to your question - why not talk to the warranty people at Chevy and see what they say. 
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
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I appreciate your motivation/intent. I did speak with two different service managers when I added a supercharger when I owned an older Z 06. One said "NO" (definitively), the other said "no problem" and I had various issues over a two year period which were never questioned and always addressed. This latter case seems extreme even to me, but (and this is a big but) I never had a major failure, to find out what would have happened. However, there is no doubt that if it is not in writing it does not exist and therefore we are all guessing. At the end of the day, I suspect if we do ANYTHING there is a degree of risk and out of our control. Best
The Consigliere
Joined: May 2006
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From: 2023 Z06 & 2010 ZR1
Bob - GM's SOP on any catastrophic failure - i.e. engine failure - is to do a full review of the ecm for any tuning. If none is found, and no history of any is found, then they usually proceed. On other hand, if the review comes back having detected tuning, they will not hesitate to deny warranty coverage. The service manager will have no say in any of that. He'll be directed by GM to pull the ecm history, and folks in GM will make the call.
Outside of the impact of tuning for warranty of catastrophic failure, the SMs do seem to be able to "ignore" basic bolt-ons and such.
Anymore, though, if you're tuned you're on your own as it relates to engine failure.
Outside of the impact of tuning for warranty of catastrophic failure, the SMs do seem to be able to "ignore" basic bolt-ons and such.
Anymore, though, if you're tuned you're on your own as it relates to engine failure.