Gearbox warranty void on Air Intake
Discussion
Hi All,
Just looking for some opinions on something that happened yesterday with my local Audi branch.
I bought a Audi A1 67 Reg, around 6 months ago, this car had 2000 miles on it, and currently has 13k (been doing a lot of commuting recently) and one day my reverse sensors and rear parking light stopped working, and the car struggled to go into gear (reverse would grind and pop out)
Long story short, i took this back to the dealer, them basically saying that my gearbox would need stripping and due to me having a custom air intake, this voids my gearbox warranty as the car is making a lot more power than stock...
Now, Ive heard mixed reviews on air intakes, and i believe you aren't really going to see the full potential of a cold air intake unless the car is mapped, you would probably look around 6HP max increase, and to be honest the car drives exactly the same.
I tried arguing that how could an air intake possibly send my reverse gear into destruction, but their answer still remains.
Anyone else had this kind of an issue with their dealers at all? Can anyone recommend anything i could possibly do?
Audi UK said that i would have to pay for the stripdown of the gearbox at £1188 to find root cause, and if its under warranty they would cover it, sounds like russian roulette to me, considering they also found some 'unidentified' wires hanging under the car, which they didn't tell me and only told Audi-UK.
Anyone have any ideas in this situation?
Just looking for some opinions on something that happened yesterday with my local Audi branch.
I bought a Audi A1 67 Reg, around 6 months ago, this car had 2000 miles on it, and currently has 13k (been doing a lot of commuting recently) and one day my reverse sensors and rear parking light stopped working, and the car struggled to go into gear (reverse would grind and pop out)
Long story short, i took this back to the dealer, them basically saying that my gearbox would need stripping and due to me having a custom air intake, this voids my gearbox warranty as the car is making a lot more power than stock...
Now, Ive heard mixed reviews on air intakes, and i believe you aren't really going to see the full potential of a cold air intake unless the car is mapped, you would probably look around 6HP max increase, and to be honest the car drives exactly the same.
I tried arguing that how could an air intake possibly send my reverse gear into destruction, but their answer still remains.
Anyone else had this kind of an issue with their dealers at all? Can anyone recommend anything i could possibly do?
Audi UK said that i would have to pay for the stripdown of the gearbox at £1188 to find root cause, and if its under warranty they would cover it, sounds like russian roulette to me, considering they also found some 'unidentified' wires hanging under the car, which they didn't tell me and only told Audi-UK.
Anyone have any ideas in this situation?
I can't see how someone could legitimately claim that a change of intake can kill a gearbox. If your bores were scored or a valve not seating properly, sure they could probably blame the intake, but the gearbox? I'd be amazed if you get a measurable increase in either torque or power from it with no other changes.
stevemcs said:
Do you drive fast in reverse ? might be worth finding out what cars that gearbox is also fitted into and noting its power but more importantly torque figures.
Hahah! Definitely not!Maybe its worth running it on a rolling road and then presenting Audi with the figures to show the cars still making the same power.
Many people have just said they are picking faults with the car and will try get out of doing any work, and maybe gearbox warranty is more defined as 'opening the gearbox for suspect issues' including all gears.
Really stuck on this one!
Also to add,
The Audi mechanic also pointed out an issue with my exahaust (center box delete) there was a tiny leak (being repaired by the garage who did this)
Summed off the video "Based on the modifications on the car with the Air intake and Exhaust your gearbox will not be covered under warranty".
Now i dont know if this is a trainee mechanic, but these modifications would not affect the engine/gearbox in a vast manor in any way?
I guess this is why you hear horror stories about Audi and huge bills!
Anyone have any ideas how i can take this further?
The Audi mechanic also pointed out an issue with my exahaust (center box delete) there was a tiny leak (being repaired by the garage who did this)
Summed off the video "Based on the modifications on the car with the Air intake and Exhaust your gearbox will not be covered under warranty".
Now i dont know if this is a trainee mechanic, but these modifications would not affect the engine/gearbox in a vast manor in any way?
I guess this is why you hear horror stories about Audi and huge bills!
Anyone have any ideas how i can take this further?
fatboy b said:
I’ve just had £3000 worth of extended warranty work done on my engine, all with after market rear exhaust boxes. So they are ‘aving a laugh.
Christ, something doesn't seem right! And when raising with Audi-UK they honoured the mechanics decision and asked me to pay the money for the stripdown + costs and then if i was found liable after paying i can then raise this!??Atrocious!
pfnsht said:
Seems a bit OTT for an air intake and I assume some wiring to an amp (suspect wires) in the boot? Is the car modified in any other way - I just wonder if the dealer is making an overriding void warranty decision based on the non factory condition of the car.
I agree!And car is stock, other than a center box delete and air intake, that's it!
Hmm... A visible aftermarket intake and an exhaust modification...
If I was a betting man, I’d wager there may have been a remap applied too.
Sorry OP but you always run this risk when modifying a car under manufacturer’s warranty.
I think the official stance is that the manufacturer has to prove the modification caused the fault however some dealers will be more awkward than others.
If I was a betting man, I’d wager there may have been a remap applied too.
Sorry OP but you always run this risk when modifying a car under manufacturer’s warranty.
I think the official stance is that the manufacturer has to prove the modification caused the fault however some dealers will be more awkward than others.
It needs fixing. If Audi won't play ball, you'd be better off getting it fixed elsewhere (don't pay the stupid investigation charge).
Send the dealer a letter before action, give them a few weeks then get it repaired at some trusted independent and lodge a claim in the small claims court for the cost. Worst outcome you lose a few more quid, best outcome you get it all back.
Send the dealer a letter before action, give them a few weeks then get it repaired at some trusted independent and lodge a claim in the small claims court for the cost. Worst outcome you lose a few more quid, best outcome you get it all back.
My guess is that they think if you gave it to them with the modified air box and centre box removed (is that what you mean by deleted) then they suspect that these were the mods you weren’t able to remove before you returned the car to them for the gearbox issue.
Perhaps a remap as well, easy to install/uninstall, but difficult to prove unless the gearbox failed due to additional torque/power and the only way to really see that is a strip down.
Perhaps a remap as well, easy to install/uninstall, but difficult to prove unless the gearbox failed due to additional torque/power and the only way to really see that is a strip down.
JJBMX said:
Summed off the video "Based on the modifications on the car with the Air intake and Exhaust your gearbox will not be covered under warranty".?
He said “may not”. Not least because he doesn’t make the decision. So this thread doesn’t descend into the inevitable pulling teeth, why not just say what mods you’ve had done. Apart from the ‘pointless’ ones, obviously. No one in their right mind will think just an air box will ruin a gearbox, but then most people wouldn’t modify an in-warranty motor and not consider the possibility of it being suddenly out of warranty.Edited by bigandclever on Saturday 19th January 18:00
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