Need Help with Warranty Issues!!

09bmw335 · 09-24-2014, 11:38 AM

I have a 2009 E92 xi. My valve cover gasket is leaking I have a CPO warranty until 60,000 miles and Powertrain Warranty until 100,000miles. My car only has 42,000 miles on it.

I have a cold air intake on the car and catless downpipes. I need them to fix my valve cover gasket under warranty and I'm worried that these things would void it. Isn't there a law that states they have to prove that these aftermarket parts were the reason the valve cover gasket was leaking? I just put the DP's in yesterday. My appointment is tomorrow and I want to be prepared.

Any advice?

Rg21044 · 09-24-2014, 11:47 AM

I don't know how hard it is to remove those mods, but I wouldn't take it to the dealership with them installed. You might not have any issues at all...or it could turn into a huge PITA. Depends on if you are a gambling man.

Maestro · 09-24-2014, 11:49 AM

yes there is a law, but all you need to say if they give you an issue is say show how what you did cause what they are about to repair, they have to be able to show one causes the other.

David1 · 09-24-2014, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maestro

yes there is a law, but all you need to say if they give you an issue is say show how what you did cause what they are about to repair, they have to be able to show one causes the other.

The law/act does not apply to illegal mods such as catless downpipes and intakes that are not CARB approved. Your owners manual also states that modifying your vehical gives BMW the right the cancel (also allowed under the law if stated by the manufacturer) parts of a warranty for modifications. Repairs to oem specs are not the same as modification.

David1 · 09-24-2014, 11:56 AM

At least put the stock intake back on.

kfriceman · 09-24-2014, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maestro

yes there is a law, but all you need to say if they give you an issue is say show how what you did cause what they are about to repair, they have to be able to show one causes the other.

The dealer does not have to prove shit to you, a court of law will make that decision, on your dime.

-Kevin

krhodes1 · 09-24-2014, 02:21 PM

In theory, modifications only affect warranty on the parts that are modified, and any ramifications that are caused by those parts. So a tune could certainly result in no warranty coverage on turbos, as the tune allows for more boost. But I fail to see how an intake or downpipe modification can have any effect on the valve cover gasket. They break due to time and heat.

So just take the thing in and find out. If they deny it, either fight it or just DIY the thing - it's not rocket science.

Ultimately, if you "need" the warranty coverage for something as simple as a valve cover gasket, you can't really afford to be modding the car.

Blackhawk36 · 09-24-2014, 04:12 PM

You are screwed. Those are mods to the engine and the engine (valve cover) has the problem. That is how BMW will see it.

You didn't mention a tune but catless down pipes would tell me you have one. More boost can mean more crankcase pressure and valve cover leaks.

SHEEDI · 09-24-2014, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackhawk36

You are screwed. Those are mods to the engine and the engine (valve cover) has the problem. That is how BMW will see it.

You didn't mention a tune but catless down pipes would tell me you have one. More boost can mean more crankcase pressure and valve cover leaks.

Correct, OP should reschedule the appointment and in mean time he should put stock things back

335m · 09-24-2014, 04:30 PM

Return completely to stock or take it to an independent shop that accepts BMW warranty.

bender rodriguez · 09-24-2014, 04:34 PM

Might be easier to replace the gasket than return to stock.

Kwike92M3 · 09-25-2014, 11:57 AM

The warranty will only be voided if the items installed on the car caused the issue at hand. However, i have heard some ridiculous claims made by service advisors, and at that point, it is up to YOU to prove them wrong. VC gasket is a VERY common issue on any BMW (or any car at that). If they claim your mods have caused the issue, I would love to hear their reasoning.

Another thing to consider!!!
If your car falls under the VANOS bolt recall, the valve cover must be removed anyway. Now, proper procedure would call for the gasket to be replaced upon removal, but warranty repairs are handled @ bare minimum requirements.

Might be worth a call to your service advisor.

09bmw335 · 10-02-2014, 02:13 PM

UPDATE::

They changed the valvue cover gasket and did all the labor for free. Just had to pay $50 deductible!!!! Took a chance with a cool tehnichian that was into mods.

So Happy!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackhawk36

You are screwed. Those are mods to the engine and the engine (valve cover) has the problem. That is how BMW will see it.

You didn't mention a tune but catless down pipes would tell me you have one. More boost can mean more crankcase pressure and valve cover leaks.

09-24-2014, 11:38 AM	#1
09bmw335 Private 12 Rep 96 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW 335XI Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Minneapolis, MN iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 335xi [0.00]	Need Help with Warranty Issues!! I have a 2009 E92 xi. My valve cover gasket is leaking I have a CPO warranty until 60,000 miles and Powertrain Warranty until 100,000miles. My car only has 42,000 miles on it. I have a cold air intake on the car and catless downpipes. I need them to fix my valve cover gasket under warranty and I'm worried that these things would void it. Isn't there a law that states they have to prove that these aftermarket parts were the reason the valve cover gasket was leaking? I just put the DP's in yesterday. My appointment is tomorrow and I want to be prepared. Any advice? __________________ * Injen Dual Cone Intake * VRSF Catless Downpipes * LUX V4 Angel Eyes
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09-24-2014, 11:47 AM	#2
Rg21044 Second Lieutenant 25 Rep 238 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335i Coupe Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: East coast USA iTrader: (0)	I don't know how hard it is to remove those mods, but I wouldn't take it to the dealership with them installed. You might not have any issues at all...or it could turn into a huge PITA. Depends on if you are a gambling man.
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09-24-2014, 11:49 AM	#3
Maestro Major 1013 Rep 1,268 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Sedan, 2021 X3 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (0)	yes there is a law, but all you need to say if they give you an issue is say show how what you did cause what they are about to repair, they have to be able to show one causes the other.
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09-24-2014, 11:56 AM	#5
David1 Brigadier General 814 Rep 3,953 Posts Drives: 09 E92 09 X5 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Columbus, OH iTrader: (1)	At least put the stock intake back on. __________________ 2021 M2 Comp Sunset Orange \|Black with orange Stitching Dakota Leather\|Executive Pkg\|DCT
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09-24-2014, 02:21 PM	#7
krhodes1 Colonel 1436 Rep 2,526 Posts Drives: 2011 328i Wagon Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Westbrook, Maine, Port Charlotte, Florida iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 128i [10.00] 2011 BMW 328i Touring [10.00]	In theory, modifications only affect warranty on the parts that are modified, and any ramifications that are caused by those parts. So a tune could certainly result in no warranty coverage on turbos, as the tune allows for more boost. But I fail to see how an intake or downpipe modification can have any effect on the valve cover gasket. They break due to time and heat. So just take the thing in and find out. If they deny it, either fight it or just DIY the thing - it's not rocket science. Ultimately, if you "need" the warranty coverage for something as simple as a valve cover gasket, you can't really afford to be modding the car. __________________ '11 328! Touring - Tasman on Chestnut, 6spd manual, factory upside-down "i" option '11 128i Convertible - Space Gray on Savannah Beige, 6spd manual, also '14 Mercedes-Benz E350 wagon, '95 Land Rover Discovery, '74 Triumph Spitfire
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09-24-2014, 04:12 PM	#8
Blackhawk36 Captain 30 Rep 644 Posts Drives: 2007 335i 6MT No iDrive Join Date: May 2009 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	You are screwed. Those are mods to the engine and the engine (valve cover) has the problem. That is how BMW will see it. You didn't mention a tune but catless down pipes would tell me you have one. More boost can mean more crankcase pressure and valve cover leaks.
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09-24-2014, 04:30 PM	#10
335m Major 123 Rep 1,166 Posts Drives: 08 e92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Austin Texas iTrader: (1)	Return completely to stock or take it to an independent shop that accepts BMW warranty. __________________ 2008 e92 M3: Gintani Sport w/ Topspeed Catless X-Pipe, KW-V3
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09-24-2014, 04:34 PM	#11
bender rodriguez Banned 149 Rep 1,995 Posts Drives: Audi Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: CA iTrader: (1)	Might be easier to replace the gasket than return to stock.
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09-25-2014, 11:57 AM	#12
Kwike92M3 Private First Class 74 Rep 146 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 Supercharged Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Dallas iTrader: (2)	The warranty will only be voided if the items installed on the car caused the issue at hand. However, i have heard some ridiculous claims made by service advisors, and at that point, it is up to YOU to prove them wrong. VC gasket is a VERY common issue on any BMW (or any car at that). If they claim your mods have caused the issue, I would love to hear their reasoning. Another thing to consider!!! If your car falls under the VANOS bolt recall, the valve cover must be removed anyway. Now, proper procedure would call for the gasket to be replaced upon removal, but warranty repairs are handled @ bare minimum requirements. Might be worth a call to your service advisor.
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