I had to respond to a thread that made me remember I wanted to post this.

Many of you remember a thread I posted where I melted a valvecover at the track in Savanah, GA.

The car was towed to the nearest dealership and the bottom line is when the field engineer came out to examine the car, he found out I had a tune on the ECM so they not only wouldn't pay for the 600.00+ repair but voided my warranty on the engine and drivetrain.

When the valvecover melted again, I pulled everything apart only to find out that 2 bolts connecting the downpipe to the turbo were missing and the remaining top bolt had backed out about 1/8".

All the heat was pouring out the top and the factory heatshield directed the heat onto the valvecover.

So bottom line, it wasn't the M7 heatshield's fault nor was it RMW's tune. (which incidently, I had run for over 12K miles without so much as a hiccup)

Point is, after much discussion, not only did I get my money back from the dealership (which goes to show that a fair and honest dealership will do the right thing) but I still have a warranty on my car.

Having said that, they still won't cover the noisy timing chain tensioner under warranty. but at least I have a warranty. (not that much of a big deal since I've got over 17K miles in less than 6-7 months... warranty's almost over anyways...lol)

Just thought I'd mention it....





Mark

 

Good news. Sounds like the listened and was reasonable.

It will soon be time when you have to come out to play (i.e. VIR)

 

Orange, as the dealer has tried to do the right thing, who is it? Flow or Hendricks? This'll matter to me as I PCS back to Bragg in 178 days.

Cheers!!

 

Charleston Mini is the dealer... They are so good that when I had my Stage I kit installed on my '08 MCS, I drove all the way to Charleston instead of staying in my own town.


Mark

 

Good news, Orange... and like the posters on the other thread, I'm very surprised that nobody heard such a large exhaust leak! You'd think a leak that size would have been pretty noisy, particularly if it was blowing out enough hot gas to melt the cam cover. Sheesh... the time I had an exhaust leak in my MG, it was coming from a very small gasket burn-through, and I could hear it distinctly, and localize it by listening through a tube. Anyway, glad to hear you got it all sorted.

Spridget

 

Thanks... apparently the exhaust leak was small enough you couldn't hear. By the time it actually made a hole (after I had been running down I-4 for several hours) it did sound like an airplane.

But like you said, a great dealership that stands behind it's work makes the difference.

Mark

 

tactful and skillfull persistence reaps its own rewards. a good MINI dealer is one U stick with.

My 2005 S was a hunk O teutonic-limey junk, but I stuck with the brand for a 2nd chance because my dealer rocks. And I'm glad I did because my 09 is a gem.

glad to hear all was resolved.

 

Nice to see this end result. Are you still going to find a core JCW engine and build up a 2.2 liter?

Just asking, since the warranty is about to roll over for you.

Don

 

Nope, not now.... got too many projects in the works.

Sending the H2 to CA for a duramax diesel conversion.

Finishing a 468 cu.in blown big block in my S10

Elcamino is painted, no interior

Custom softail is coming back to me for paint....

So, no, NOT NOW!!!


I need another project like I need a hole in the head.

BTW, I'm on my way to pickup a muffler for the JCW, I'm playing with some ideas...


Mark

 

Wow, great news. I can't believe they actually paid you back for the money you spent!

 

Like I said, great dealership. The GM understood and honestly, if I brought my car in to be fixed, they should have checked it further rather than just replacing a valvecover. I guess they had it in their head that since the car had a tune, that was the culprit.

I don't know but their integrity stands way above most.


Mark

 

Congrats, but why wont they fix the timing chain? That is a known problem, and ought to be a recall as it can lead to the engine self-destructing.

 

Mark,

That's awesome news. Really happy for you!

Given how much you drive and that you're only covered for 36000 miles, that means you've managed to keep your warrenty until about next Wednesday

 

I thought the MINI warranty period was 4 yrs/ 50K?

 

You're right, I keep thinking it's 3yr/36000.

Nonetheless, my warranty will only be around for a short while at the rate I'm driving...lol.


Mark

 

Ok Mark, maybe you've got til Valentine's Day then