Well first off you needd to think about the logic first. If you replace stock air filter with a K&N filter instead of an OEM filter, that should not void warranty. Let me explain why the magnusson moss act was enacted. It is to protect consumers, you and me, from being price gouged by car manufactures on replacement parts. If you can only use manufacturers part for replacement on your car, they will have a monopoly on the parts and charge you whatever they feel like. That is why they enacted the mangusson moss act, to create competition on replacement parts to keep the cost lower. And they know the only stronghold the car manufactures had was on the warranty, they specifically state that replacing parts with non oem parts will not void your entire warranty.


Nebo

 

If you decide to pursue this: first insist that you get a letter from the distric rep denying warrantied service- including what parts (parts) caused the failure and why the parts caused the failure. If they refuse, there's always your state's Atty General whose consumer fraud division would love to take a look at this for you. and there's the FTC:

Info about Magnusson Moss and how to contact FTC to file a complaint:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/...s/warranty.htm

 

First of all, you do make an excellent point as to why the the MM act was created. It is so consumers aren't gouged on REPLACEMENT parts. Hence K&N drop in filters are fine (as anyone with logic can tell), as are most other "basic" mods. It was NOT meant to cover aftermarket MODIFICATIONS. Besides, these things that are replaced (filters and such) or even upgraded (rims, tires, maybe even exhausts so long as they don't remove any cats) are things you most certaintly shouldn't have to try to hide to get warranty work.

I don't think this is so difficult to UNDERSTAND as it is difficult for many people to ACCEPT.

 

Had to add to this post, mitsu has a service buliton for all the syncros in the evo tranny. They have a design flaw causing them to clash and grind at times. MIne is goning to the shop next week for the new upgraded parts. (this was in relation to the shift knob coment, just trying to help ya)

Also Dodge does not warenty the mopar upgrade parts for there car. Even if they install them for you and that part craps out say an injector sticks and your motor lows its not covered. As the paper work that comes with a all mopar upgrades states that they are an outside branch of dodge, and these parts can void the warenty. It was funny he had the stuff shipped to work (was like a stage1 kit injectors and new ECU) and it had mopar and dodge paperwork in the box stating all this info. Funny thing was when he ordered it he was under the impression that it would all be covered.
as it reads on mopars site
"HOW DOES THE INSTALLATION OF THIS KIT AFFECT THE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY?
Performance or racing parts are considered to be non-DaimlerChrysler parts. Repairs or adjustments caused or required as a result of their use are not covered under your vehicle's factory warranties. This information can be found in the Warranty Information booklet in the glove box of each new vehicle. Refer to Section 3. What's Not Covered. "

 

most people are under the impression mopar is covered under dodge, though nice and big on their website it says they aren't. in fact, i do believe it goes to far to say it will void your warranty. IF they do cover it, and the dealer can if they want to, they are going above and beyond what is required of them.

on a related note, if you have the dealer do the install, you might be able to have a better chance of coverage later.

EDIT: www.mopar.com

check out the bottom!

"performance parts are sold as is, without any warranty whatsoever." doesn't get much clearer then that.

 

right i agre with you 100% and that some aftermarket parts definetly should void some warranty, however if you read the post that i quoted before, they guy i quoted was saying that if you replace any part that is non oem you should have your warranty voided even replacing a stock filter with K&N. I was merely pointing out the flaw in that.

Nebo

 

yeah. anyone that tells you a k&n drop in voids anything is full of crap.

 

Ok. So Dodge doesn't warranty the Mopar stuff for the SRT-4's. Good. News to me, but good. I was getting sick of hearing people say "Dodge honors the warranty on Stage 1 upgrades on the SRT-4, why is it so hard for Mitsubishi to honor stuff on the Evo?" every place I went. In fact, that is why I would ask Mitsubshi of North America, because I was tired of getting asked that question myself.

I think this is turning in to the proverbial dead horse. However, we have brought out some good points today:

1. Don't hide your mods. You did them, be proud of them. I don't want to return my car back to stock to drive it in to the dealership. That's a lot of work and it isn't very honest.
2. Be honest with your dealership and find one that you can trust. They've got a boss as well. You need to find one that understands the mods you have done, and the true likelihood that they caused this damage (Hindsight is 20/20, I know).
3. Keep a close eye on all aspects of your car. These cars can easily become a quart low after an oil change for various reasons (do a thread search for "Change own oil" or something like that). You could have drained it when hot, filled it when cold. You could have only added 4 quarts and forgot that some fills the oil filter and turbo oil lines. I don't know, maybe you didn't tighten down the oil filter or drain plug. Who knows. You lost a quart.
4. Nothing is stopping you from calling ahead to the dealership and getting advise from them. "Help, my car is out of oil. What do you want me to do?" Would be a good way to get some advise. Be sure you take down the name of who you talk to for the warranty denial that they will try to throw on you later for taking the advice.
5. Aftermarket parts are just that. Does Mitsu have to cover the car under warranty because of a failure when aftermarket parts are involved? Well, they need to prove it. However, if you are not 100% on top of your game, this will be easy. Catless exhaust, won't stand a chance in court. Not because it "caused" the problem, it proves you are dishonest and like to break the law...whatever...you know how it goes.


One other thing: A boost control that isn't used to control boost, only monitor? I am guessing you have only tapped in to a vacuum line then. Surely if it is to the true stock levels, your factory boost solenoid is still hooked up, and those little brass pills are still lodged inside the factory boost vacuum lines. Point that out to them. Show them that those lines have not been altered and that the thing still will boost as advertised.

 

I just spent 2 hours reading this entire thread very carefully and even though I feel bad for your car I appreciate all points of view in this massive commencement of opinions. Good stuff and important to remember when I start throwing everything out the engine bay and replenish it with MOD everything. EVO's rule...oh yeah, in my opinion...swallow it and pay, alone for not being able to drive it.

 

Well if i know that my mods most likely did not cause the problem then I would most definitely return the car to stock before bringing it to the dealer. I don't consider this dishonest or shady at all. You just have to play the game. Put it this way: if the dealer knows for damn sure your mods did not cause a problem your car is having and still blame it on the mods, how would you feel? You are just not looking at this from all angles. And just so you know, if I had a problem with my car and I know that it is caused by myself or my car's mods then no I would not bring it to to dealer for warranty work.

 

sorry to go off topic, but can you tell me more about the service bulliten- or does any one have info on it?

i seem to be having a prob wit my syncros-- 5th gear was done about 6 mos ago- and it doesnt grind all the time, but it will sometimes- and its clunky all the time.

also, sometimes it wont want to go into gear...

thanks for any info

 

tell u what, the biggest scams in the world are warranty charges and insurance charges. Hey everybody is going to get their money's worth, do you think when you bought the car that the warranty provided is free?? Sorry dude, but everyone pays a premnium on their car for a warranty that like insurance is giong to happen but most likely won't happen. So you already paid for warranty work, you might as well use it. If you think a making claims from a multi billion dollar company is not cool, then think again. If they provided a quality product in the first place then there wouldn't be a warranty claim. I do not feel sorry for these big conglomerates, they've made their money, and we work hard for ours.

And if they're going to produce a car that is based of a rally inspired edition vehicle, i sure hope that the car can take some hard driving otherwise they are just claiming false advertising.

my 2 cents

nebo

 

Dude, I sure hope you did not change the wiper blades with some non parts or changed your radio or your tires or anything with non OEM parts, because if you did, you just voided your warranty.... Oh yeah, don't try to be crook by changing it back either. Just better face the music and open your wallet. You screwed with your car now it's time to pay the price (just kidding .

 

Dude your logic is very narrow minded and a little priggish. You have to admit that defects of workmanship and parts occur regardless of modifications. Also, if you are going to apply such rigid rules, you could not even change your wheels and tires because it's change however small to the drive train. What if you changed your shocks with a set of high quality coil-overs? what if you changed you crappy worn out clutch with a better after market unit? what if you use different brands of oils, lubricants, filters, antifreeze, belts or hoses in your car.... Would you accept a denial of warranty?
Face it, if the heater core leaks, are you going to say Mitsu is right to deny warranty because you have a boost controller? If you electrical system goes to hell, is that due to an aftermarket clutch? Is a faulty differential cause by and aftermarket exhaust? Is a bad transmission caused by your cam gears?

Please, what's right is right. If the modification caused the problem, then by all means the owner is responsible. But in any other case, the denial of warranty is unfair and unethical in the manufacturer's part. There are lots of service bulletins and memos that all manufacturers write about defects and potential failures of their cars. Ever hear of recalls? Now, if there are documented problems with certain parts of the engine, or the ECU, or the tranny, or whatever, it's fair and proper that these things be investigated before blaming the customer, regardless of what mods are done to the car. Many times modifications cause absolutely no harm. Also, it's very easy to abuse and break the car without a single mod done to it.

Oh yeah, the owner of a new car like the EVO cannot be expected to check the oil every damn time he gets in his car to drive it. That's ridiculous, I doubt that any one in these forums checks their oil every time before they start their engine. If anyone does this, I strongly suggest a vist to a competent mental health professional because there is an excellent chance that this person is suffering from obssesive/compulsive disorder and he or she needs psychiatric help. If the oil ring(s) go bad or break due to some defect of material or workmanship, then the oil will get used up very fast and the driver cannot be expected to know this and keep up with it.

Years ago when I bought a new Pinto (yes I'm an old fart ) the jokers at the factory or the dealership left off the transmission oil cap! Needless to say, that sweet shifting 4 speed tranny did not last a week! all the oil came out and the bearings and gears were damaged. According to some of you, that would have been my fault for not checking that tranny...... Of course, that's preposterous, it's implied and explicit that all these things are done correctly from the factory. A reasonable person would not be expected to check that just like the average driver does not check the oil, tires, brake fluid, tranny lube, etc. every single time he or she drives it. Hell, I bet anybody's mother in these forums or you cousin, brother or uncle Dick, probaly could not even find the hood release latch, let alone find all the appropriate plugs, caps and dipsticks or inspection places.

Bottom line is that the guys engine has failed for some reason. If that reason can be traced to his modifications to his engine, then it's his responsability to pay for the repairs, on the other hand, it is quite possible that the failure is due to a warrantable defect inwhich case it's only fair that takes care of it.

Rant off-

 

I think you are missing my point.

The key to what I was suggesting was not to check the oil every time you drive; however, if my oil is a quart low one day and I choose to top it off. I guarantee it's not going to be 3 weeks later the next time I check it.

Right now with my daily driver, I check the oil and the airpressure in all 4 tires every time I get gas. Looking at the mileage thread also going on, I'm guessing you need to get gas more than once in three weeks. Also, any time there is unusual noise coming from the engine bay, I will throughly look it over and determine the cause before I even think of starting it again.

Like I said I feel bad for the guy, but he's at least partially to blame.

If you topped up the trans fluid in the pinto, and didn't bother to take it back to the dealer to find out why the levels of a non-consumable item have dropped I'd say you bore at least some responsibility.

YMMV,

Greg