warranty clutch - Page 2

***Seppo*** · 12-12-2007, 05:51 AM

So many contradictory reports... I think it makes more sense for them not to cover the clutch unless its a pretty obvious mechanical failure. I mean what stops people from when they hit 35,999 miles to just take a quick trip to the dealer and get clutch and brakes replaced under warranty.

Blackfang · 12-12-2007, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seppo

So many contradictory reports... I think it makes more sense for them not to cover the clutch unless its a pretty obvious mechanical failure. I mean what stops people from when they hit 35,999 miles to just take a quick trip to the dealer and get clutch and brakes replaced under warranty.

Yes, there is a warranty on those items just like anything else covered under 3/36. Just like any item, you don't just replace it because it is under warranty. There has to be a customer concern regarding a specific problem. There has to be documentation that the problem exists and the cause of the problem. Once that is found, then the repair comes into play. Warranty is used for manufacturer defects only. If the failure is caused by abuse, or the part failing not by defect (i.e you left your gas cap off and CEL comes on, or something on the road hits a part on the car), then it isn't going to be covered under warranty.

However, being the clutch falls under the wear item warranty, when they wear out/fail prematurely, it will be looked at to make sure it truly is a defect and not abuse or something caused by the driver/operators. I hope this clears things up a bit.

There is actually a thread on Nasioc regarding this very topic.

Blackfang · 12-12-2007, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hitman83

would a worn out clutch that had been slipping a while look the same? Like it should have been replaced but the guy didn't get around to it for a while

How about a defective clutch? (if there is such a thing)

A slipping clutch is not going to look like that. A defective clutch won't look like what I posted either unless it literally exploded, but other damage would have been done.

***Seppo*** · 12-12-2007, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackfang

Yes, there is a warranty on those items just like anything else covered under 3/36. Just like any item, you don't just replace it because it is under warranty. There has to be a customer concern regarding a specific problem. There has to be documentation that the problem exists and the cause of the problem. Once that is found, then the repair comes into play. Warranty is used for manufacturer defects only. If the failure is caused by abuse, or the part failing not by defect (i.e you left your gas cap off and CEL comes on, or something on the road hits a part on the car), then it isn't going to be covered under warranty.

However, being the clutch falls under the wear item warranty, when they wear out/fail prematurely, it will be looked at to make sure it truly is a defect and not abuse or something caused by the driver/operators. I hope this clears things up a bit.

There is actually a thread on Nasioc regarding this very topic.

I guess that makes sense. I would imagine that in most cases it's abuse and improper operation, so the clutch has to clearly fail for them to replace it. Also i think that if you were to take it to a dealer and they look at it and determine that it is the due to abuse, they will charge you a diagnostic fee.

STI_Mike · 12-12-2007, 09:51 AM

you may still be under warranty but they can tell if the clutch went out because of abuse or because the clutch was defective.

Blackfang · 12-12-2007, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seppo

I guess that makes sense. I would imagine that in most cases it's abuse and improper operation, so the clutch has to clearly fail for them to replace it. Also i think that if you were to take it to a dealer and they look at it and determine that it is the due to abuse, they will charge you a diagnostic fee.

That is correct. I always inform the customer upfront and before he signs the repair order that there is a diagnostic fee of such and such amount. If this repair is covered by warranty, customer doesn't pay it. If it is not covered by warranty, then the customer is responsible for it if he choses to not repair it.

If he doesn't agree to it, he can take it elsewhere.

Hitman83 · 12-12-2007, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackfang

That is correct. I always inform the customer upfront and before he signs the repair order that there is a diagnostic fee of such and such amount. If this repair is covered by warranty, customer doesn't pay it. If it is not covered by warranty, then the customer is responsible for it if he choses to not repair it.

If he doesn't agree to it, he can take it elsewhere.

Diagnosis fee for a worn out clutch!?!?! if it slips, it's worn. what's there to diagnose?

Blackfang · 12-12-2007, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hitman83

Diagnosis fee for a worn out clutch!?!?! if it slips, it's worn. what's there to diagnose?

For him to remove the transmission and inspect the clutch and bellhousing to see how it failed. If it was due to abuse, we get SOA involved to see if it is warrantied or if they deny the claim. You just don't go " oh it slips at 20k, lets warranty it". Subaru would return that claim faster than it took for the repair and the dealer eats that repair. There are certain policies and procedures in place.

Hitman83 · 12-12-2007, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackfang

For him to remove the transmission and inspect the clutch and bellhousing to see how it failed. If it was due to abuse, we get SOA involved to see if it is warrantied or if they deny the claim. You just don't go " oh it slips at 20k, lets warranty it". Subaru would return that claim faster than it took for the repair. There are certain policies and procedures in place.

That's BS, it needs to be replaced regardless of how it failed. When you pull the tranny to replace the clutch you can inspect it. I agree you can refuse to replace it (although it's a bit sketchy unless it's blown up) but no way in hell should there be a diagnostic fee unless it's inspected (removed and replaced) prior to scheduling an appointment for install. i guess ome service managers/dealerships suck

Blackfang · 12-12-2007, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hitman83

That's BS, it needs to be replaced regardless of how it failed.

Well how you feel and how Subaru want are different.

Yes, I agree it needs to be replaced, but that doesn't mean we replace it and then figure out who pays for it afterwards. We don't just go and replace parts because a customers wants us to under warranty. We have to see how those parts failed because SOA will more than likely want those parts back.

Quote:

When you pull the tranny to replace the clutch you can inspect it. I agree you can refuse to replace it (although it's a bit sketchy unless it's blown up) but no way in hell should there be a diagnostic fee unless it's inspected (removed and replaced) prior to scheduling an appointment for install. i guess ome service managers/dealerships suck

What do you think the diagnostic fee is? It is to inspect it. However, why make the customer come twice to make a repair that can be done in 1 visit. You bring the car in, drop it off, we remove the trans and inspect how it failed. If it is warranty, then we replace it, customer pays nothing. If we find that it is due to abuse, we get SOA involved and they can deny it or approve it. If it is denied customer is called and told what the repair will cost. If they declined the repair, they pay the diagnostic fee and come get their car. Why should we put remove and inspect a transmission for free? That diagnostic is to ensure the Technician gets paid for his time. I am sure you don't work for free, so I can't expect a technician.

Yes some of us Service Advisors suck, but I am fair to everyone and upfront to them.

Hitman83 · 12-12-2007, 10:30 AM

I guess I just feel it's hard to justify a diagnosis fee on something that takes no time to diagnose. And they aren't diagnosing whether the clutch is bad or not. They're "diagnosing" whether or not they will cover it and that burden should be on them. Oh well, I'll be prepared for this argument with SOA if mine ever goes.

***Seppo*** · 12-12-2007, 10:32 AM

A little OT, but a question to you Blackfang. So when work on a car gets done under warranty, does SOA pay the dealer 100% for the parts and labor?

Blackfang · 12-12-2007, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seppo

A little OT, but a question to you Blackfang. So when work on a car gets done under warranty, does SOA pay the dealer 100% for the parts and labor?

They pay us for both the part and labor, but at a reduced labor cost. Technicians make less on warranty repairs.

***Seppo*** · 12-12-2007, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hitman83

I guess I just feel it's hard to justify a diagnosis fee on something that takes no time to diagnose. And they aren't diagnosing whether the clutch is bad or not. They're "diagnosing" whether or not they will cover it and that burden should be on them. Oh well, I'll be prepared for this argument with SOA if mine ever goes.

Not much to argue here, i don't think this is an unfair thing at all. There are way too many people that genuinely abuse their clutches and it takes a while to examine how the clutch failed. I think the dealer should be compensated for their time of performing that task.

***Seppo*** · 12-12-2007, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackfang

They pay us for both the part and labor, but at a reduced labor cost. Technicians make less on warranty repairs.

I guess you have a rotating schedule of who gets to work on a warranty repair? I can imagine its not the most popular endeavor around the shop.

12-12-2007, 05:51 AM	#16
*Seppo* No Rice Car: 06 OBP STi Fav Mod: Brake dust Location: Jersey Posts: 635 Join Date: Sep 2007 Trader Rating: (1)	Re: warranty clutch So many contradictory reports... I think it makes more sense for them not to cover the clutch unless its a pretty obvious mechanical failure. I mean what stops people from when they hit 35,999 miles to just take a quick trip to the dealer and get clutch and brakes replaced under warranty. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

12-12-2007, 09:51 AM	#20
STI_Mike S204 Racer Car: 05 Aspen White STI Fav Mod: Defi Gauges Location: Laguna Niguel,Ca Posts: 2,920 Join Date: Jul 2006 Trader Rating: (4)	Re: warranty clutch you may still be under warranty but they can tell if the clutch went out because of abuse or because the clutch was defective.

12-12-2007, 10:30 AM	#26
Hitman83 Spec C Club Car: 06 STI, 08 GSXR 750 Fav Mod: 8cm 20g Posts: 1,278 Join Date: Jun 2007 Trader Rating: (2)	Re: warranty clutch I guess I just feel it's hard to justify a diagnosis fee on something that takes no time to diagnose. And they aren't diagnosing whether the clutch is bad or not. They're "diagnosing" whether or not they will cover it and that burden should be on them. Oh well, I'll be prepared for this argument with SOA if mine ever goes.

12-12-2007, 10:32 AM	#27
*Seppo* No Rice Car: 06 OBP STi Fav Mod: Brake dust Location: Jersey Posts: 635 Join Date: Sep 2007 Trader Rating: (1)	Re: warranty clutch A little OT, but a question to you Blackfang. So when work on a car gets done under warranty, does SOA pay the dealer 100% for the parts and labor?