Warranty Void

[tonytypeR]

Would installing a catch can or oil cooler void my extended warranty? Would either of those lead to any kind of failure even if installed properly?

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[Byron Sexton]

Yes any modification to a stock vehicle could void your warranty if proven that the part installed caused an issue. Some dealers wont even look at the car if it is modified. There are a few Dealers however that are mod friendly and could fix it under warranty it depends.

 

[Z06Chris]

People say the the dealership has to prove it caused the issue.. But do you really want to lawyer up or sit there and argue all day with a dealership that doesn't want to do your repairs under warranty?

Dealerships are independently owned. If you blow your motor or trans and they refuse to cover it under warranty because of something like a catch can or aftermarket exhaust, you're better off taking it off and trying another dealership.

Only time I've seen info follow a Vin from one dealership to another is for over rev or ecu flash. Then you're shit out of luck.

 

[tinyman392]

Would installing a catch can or oil cooler void my extended warranty? Would either of those lead to any kind of failure even if installed properly?

With warranty repairs the dealership has to prove that the modification you did to the car could cause failure to the part you are trying to warranty. So say that you forgot to empty your oil catch can, hit a bump, and sent a bunch of oil through your intake which caused an issue with the motor. That likely would not be covered. If your AC stops working, however, they dealership will have a very hard time linking that issue to the catch can or oil cooler.

 

[Learn2turn]

This is your assurance and the basis of aftermarket modifications.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnuson–Moss_Warranty_Act

 

[haltamer]

I'd suggest careful reading of your extended warranty policy documentation - It's not a manufacturers warranty (Bearing in mind I'm speaking from a UK Perspective), so there may be contractual getouts (In the extended warranty) such as "Cover invalid on modified vehicles" - Just to give them a getout.

In a practical sense, I wouldn't expect either to lead to problems - provided they're installed correctly and are quality parts.
It isn't unheard of for fittings / hoses to fail on oil coolers, which can lead to oil loss - Do keep on top of your oil checks:- Personally, I'd say if you're not planning on intensive track use, don't bother - Keep failure points to a minimum.

Mostly, Common sense applies to warranty IMO - If you've got a catch can and something goes pop on the PCV system, I'd say it's on you - As you've modified that system.
Similarly, if you spun a bearing through oil starvation and had an oil cooler with seeping fittings, the new engine is on you:- If however, your boot had a leak - Obviously nothing to do with what you've done.

 

[Byron Sexton]

Basically messing with the catch can and you have an engine failure....Its on you. Therefore your Warranty is useless.

 

[princeRS]

whos the extended warranty through? companies like zurich are shit to deal with if your cars modded in my experiences

 

[MisterC]

Dealerships refuse to honor warranty claims all the time mods or not. If you can't afford to replace a critical component failing and not being covered, don't mod it.

 

[jakdotdot]

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