Voiding the Warranty

[LVMarauder]

This may seem obvious to some of you but not to me. Is adding performance parts such as 4.10 differentials and custom burned ECC chips going to void the warranty that i have and if so how can i get around it? I went to Ford motorsports today and they said hell no, so ill look at some local shops. Thanks.

[jgc61sr2002]

LVMarauder - Welcome- Some dealers say mods void the warranty and some say they do not. The answer is to find a mod friendly dealer. Anyway you came to the right place. Good luck with your new ride.

[CRUZTAKER]

Mods? What mods? Who? Me?

I didn't do it nobody saw me do it you can't prove I did it :P

[SILVERMARAUDER]

JUST BOUGHT A 300B JOB#2 SILVER 03 LOVE IT BUT AFTER 350 MILES THE TRANNY IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE REPLACED ;( ANYONE KNOW THE APPROX PRODUCTION OF THE SILVER 03'S?

[frdwrnch]

It's all about relationships. Try to develop a good relationship w/ your local dealer by " throwing them a bone". Have your oil changes and periodic maintenance done by them. It should be pretty competetive w/J-Lube and others. If they are worth their salt then minor mods should not void your warranty unless there are OBVIOUS signs of abuse. The burden of proof is on the dealer. Ford is tightening the purse strings on warranty payment so dealers are forced to minimize their expenditures. One of the first questions asked by a rep when going for an after warranty adjustment is "Have they frequented your dealer?" So if you're a familiar face(but not wearing them out) you're in a good position to be considered a valued customer.

[Marauderer]

I asked the Service Manager at my dealership this same question today. Like the previous post said it is all about relationships and perspective. This guy said that no individual "upgrade" voids the entire warranty, but if a part you install causes a failure on a directly connected system then the repair will not be covered. Essentially, if you install a new chip and your A/C fails - no big deal. Install a chip, headers, plugs, stat, and other popular mods; drop the tranny - it's on your dollar. However, if you get a prick that is looking for an excuse then a chip could be blamed for anything from a transmission problem to paint defects (regardless of whether or not you could fight it - the potential for hassle does exist). I plan on performing mods while taking the utmost care to either "appear" stock and/or be able to put it back the way it was "BEFORE" I take it back to dealer. That means no cutting, welding, beating, bashing, peeling stickers real careful like, etc. That is until I put enough miles on it that I don't care anymore.. This is a Big reason that I like the approach that Dennis uses, he seems to make things availble to us with just this mindset!

[Fourth Horseman]

Personally, I'm sticking with non-power train mods until my warranty expires. My dealership isn't mod friendly, and I can't afford to replace an engine or tranny should I blow one or the other. I mean, I don't think the mods would cause this, but if I just had bad luck and blew and engine all on my own, my dealership would use the mods as an excuse to stick it to me. :(

So, for now I'm doing suspension (DR rear sway bar), I've replaced the mufflers, and I want to replace brakes at some point. This is enough to keep me happy until the warranty is gone and then look out. I'll be going crazy then. :)

[darebren]

If you go to one dealer, and they deny coverage...is it too late to look for another dealer, because your already in the "computer system"?

[CRUZTAKER]

I wouldn't think so dare.....I got tired of the shatty attitude of the service people at Liberty and now go to one in Barberton. I had to be completely re-entered, they had no idea who I was.....and I bought the car from them 6 months ago!

[jefferson-mo]

Dare...........Yes! With so many mods being done nowadays the FIRST thing they look for is a chip install..........and like in Mad3R's case once they voided his powertrain warranty his SM went staright to the Ford computer system and 'red-flagged' his VIN so he couldn't just play dumb and go somewhere else.

I REALLY like Dennis' deal where he reprograms your PCM(instead of physically installing a chip) so there's no evidence of reprogramming.

[cyclone03]

Just signing on this site voids your "customer ignorance factor"
Thus increasing your dealers "dip shirt" factor".
It's all about money.

[Dr Caleb]

Originally posted by cyclone03
Just signing on this site voids your "customer ignorance factor"
Thus increasing your dealers "dip shirt" factor".
It's all about money.

:lol:

I knew more about the car when I took it for a test drive than the guy who was selling it to me. That was before I knew about this little part of heaven called "MM.net".

Now I'l like to think I know more about alignment specs, FSB, programming codes and general maintainence than any Ford trained tech would. I hope I'm wrong though...time for an oil change again...

[cyclone03]

No You,we,all know more than the people we pay to do our work.
Sad but true.

[Fourth Horseman]

Hehe, the dealer tried to give me the 'tour' around my car when I bought it. You know, show you how the radio works, how the power seats work. I was like: "Yeah yeah, just give me the darn keys." :D

[jgc61sr2002]

Originally posted by SILVERMARAUDER
JUST BOUGHT A 300B JOB#2 SILVER 03 LOVE IT BUT AFTER 350 MILES THE TRANNY IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE REPLACED ;( ANYONE KNOW THE APPROX PRODUCTION OF THE SILVER 03'S? SILVERMARAUDER - Welcome to the site,sorry about the trans. What's up with that. Keep us posted. Thanks:(