I took my MCS ~ 18K miles to the dealer for what sounded like noisy valves or a loose timing chain "chattering sound from the engine"

I was just told that my "valves and timing are messed up". The service advisor is not technical and could not explain the problem entirely. MiniUSA is currently reviewing my dilema and may not cover this under warranty.

Mini / Dealer states that the Madness Air Intake & Boost / Oil Pressure guage set (which has never leaked a drop of oil and came with the pre tapped oil cover) may be to blame.

The final verdict from Mini is supposed to come in tomorrow.

Randy... or some of the other experts, can you tell me if MiniUSA has the right to refuse to pay for the repair ? I am no expert but this seems a little whacked !

Very Nervous

Kesh

 

Wow kesh, I feel for ya. That sounds harsh. I hope things work out and be sure to keep us all posted...

 

I can only think of three ways in which an add-on could hurt in your case. You'll have to answer as to whether or not it's in the realm of possibility.

1.) Leaking
2.) Impeding oil flow or somehow starving it of flow
3.) You know how in some engines there's a check-valve mechanism to keep oil from completely returning to the pan, so that there's an oil source on start-up? (I don't know how this is accomplished, if it's a feature of the Mini engine, or how a sending unit could affect this.

I can't for the life of me think of a way it could impact timing! Sounds like (as you said) someone not very technical.

Best of luck, and keep us updated on the outcome.

Jeff

 

Oh, kesh, another thought. I remember seeing somewhere that the dealership has to prove it was the mod that caused the failure to void the warrantee. Someone, please correct me if I am wrong...

 

That's gotta be bull-sh*t. My dealer actually sells and installs these after market guages! So how could another MINI dealer say they void the warranty?
Your dealer and MINI USA have to PROVE that the after market bit caused the problem.

 

>>That's gotta be bull-sh*t. My dealer actually sells and installs these after market guages! So how could another MINI dealer say they void the warranty?
>>Your dealer and MINI USA have to PROVE that the after market bit caused the problem.


Who is your dealer ? I may need to know.

Kesh

 

Kesh,
Sorry you are going thru that BS ;(


Dom,
As I understand the law you are correct..
The proof of burden is on the dealership....
I will get more info & post ..

Peace,
D

 

CCM Please let me know who your dealer is.

d-mini-ero.... If you can find the info please post it. Pretty Please.

Thank God we have MCO. I would be eating valium right now.

 

MINI of Peabody in Peabody, MA
MINI of PEABODY LINK

 

That sounds like a major cop out on the dealers part...some dealers will do anything to push off the blame....if you have another dealer near you take it to them.

An air intake or the guages if installed correctly will not cause a problem. Depending on how this works out make sure to put some feedback in the dealer rating section so others know.

 

Maybe these links will help.

Will my warranty be void?


MINI2 warranty thread

 

>>3.) You know how in some engines there's a check-valve mechanism to keep oil from completely returning to the pan, so that there's an oil source on start-up? (I don't know how this is accomplished, if it's a feature of the Mini engine, or how a sending unit could affect this.


On most cars with a spin on oil filter there is an anti-drain back valve inside the filter to keep dirty oil from going back into the oil pan. I don't think canister filters like the MINI's have a valve like this and instead have something in side the canister holder or inside the motor somewhere. This is another reason why canister oil filters are stupid.

This does sound like complete crap on the dealers part though. Contact the people you bought the aftermarket stuff from. Most aftermarket companies will stand behind their products and help you out.

 

I'd say that if the pre-tapped oil canister is the problem you may be out of luck if the company that sold it to you doesn't stand behind it. I could see if it was leaking and that caused the problem you're just SOL.

However if it is not that then they would have to cover it under warantee. This is one reason why I decided to stay away from the gague. (especially because it's not really needed) I hope all works out well for you and if they refuse I'd try and get a second opinion.
-Chris

 

>>I took my MCS ~ 18K miles to the dealer for what sounded like noisy valves or a loose timing chain "chattering sound from the engine"
>>
>>I was just told that my "valves and timing are messed up". The service advisor is not technical and could not explain the problem entirely. MiniUSA is currently reviewing my dilema and may not cover this under warranty.
>>
>>Mini states that the Madness Air Intake & Boost / Oil Pressure guage set (which has never leaked a drop of oil and came with the pre tapped oil cover) is to blame.
>>
>>The final verdict from Mini is supposed to come in tomorrow.
>>
>>Randy... or some of the other experts, can you tell me if MiniUSA has the right to refuse to pay for the repair ? I am no expert but this seems a little whacked !
>>
>>Very Nervous

Kesh,

That is ******** and probably against the law.
They are trying the oldest dealer trick in the book; Double Billing.
A customer pay and a warranty pay. Warranty pay generally stinks so what they really want is your money.

I would not give them any business and tell the regional service manager what is going on.

Go to this web site the link will explain how you are protected by federal law and what to do.

http://www.sema.org/content/?ID=2223...teria=warranty

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (15 U.S.C. 2302(C))

This federal law regulates warranties for the protection of consumers. The essence of this law concerning aftermarket auto parts is that a vehicle manufacturer may not condition a written or implied warranty on the consumers using parts or services which are identified by brand, trade, or corporate name (such as the vehicle makers brand) unless the parts or service are provided free of charge. The law means that the use of an aftermarket part alone is not cause for denying the warranty. However, the law's protection does not extend to aftermarket parts in situations where such parts actually caused the damage being claimed under the warranty. Further, consumers are advised to be aware of any specific terms or conditions stated in the warranty which may result in its being voided. The law states in relevant part:

“No warrantor of a consumer product may condition his written or implied warranty of such product on the consumers using, in connection with such product, any article or service (other than article or service provided without charge under the terms of the warranty) which is identified by brand, trade or corporate name....” (15 U.S.C. 2302(C)).

Call me I will help you!

Joseph
888-551-0025
joseph@rspeed.net

http://www.sema.org/content/?ID=2223...teria=warranty
>>
>>Kesh
>>

 

Just a quick note:

The dealership is Ferman in Tampa Bay.

Global Imports in Atlanta had no problem with the guage set and performed warranty work without question. Peter Coke at Global in Atlanta even commented on the cool mod and had checked the car shortly after the install and gave a clean bill of health.

I had taken the car to Global for the same "chattering" problem before the guage install and they replaced a belt bearing under warranty which seemed to cure the problem until now.

 

*Update*

I haven't heard anything from the dealer today (day#2 -- drop off at 8:00AM Tuesday). I am hoping that this a good thing.

My personal diagnosis of the "chattering" a bad or mis-aligned camshaft or bad roller rockers. As I said I am no expert, but if I'm right that's a serious failure.

I figure, if they haven't called me then they must be working on the car. I would think that they would call me if Mini denied the claim.

Fingers crossed.

Kesh

PS: Does anyone else hear a chattering sound from the engine, especially after the car warms up? Mine started at about 4K miles and got louder. I took it to Mini for the 10K mile oil change and they fixed a pulley bearing, apparently not the problem but worked temporarily.

 

>>I'd say that if the pre-tapped oil canister is the problem you may be out of luck if the company that sold it to you doesn't stand behind it. I could see if it was leaking and that caused the problem you're just SOL.
>>
>>However if it is not that then they would have to cover it under warantee. This is one reason why I decided to stay away from the gague. (especially because it's not really needed) I hope all works out well for you and if they refuse I'd try and get a second opinion.
>>-Chris

I can assure you that this is not the problem. BMPd went through a LONG R&D process with this and is really solid.

-Peter/Rspeed

 

Yes, that is true. I deal with this question on a daily basis. Not only that but their statement must be in writing. But yes. they have to prove the device in question was the cause for damage.

 

Anyone seen the clown video ad for Mini ? I need to have one of the decision makers at Mini take a ride with me.

I trust that BMPd has put a lot of R&D into the guage set.

---------

R-SPEED in ATL has contacted me and expressed that they will help in anyway possible. I have not contacted R-Speed, they heard about the issue on MCO and have been trying to track me down for the past 36 hours. As a matter of fact, I got an e-mail from R-Speed that said, "Please call us, we don't have your new phone#"

I have said it once and I will say it again, "The team at R-Speed are super people, their customers come first". R-Speed has pledged to help me. When it comes time to buy another mod for my MCS can you guess who I'll go through ?

Let's hope today brings good nooz.

Kesh

 

I will vouche for R-SPEED any damn day. I am a Miata-MCS family and they are top notch folks. I've had a few aftermarket parts for my miata go ****-up and they stand behind them 100%.

go R-SPEED GO!

Now make a reasonably priced MCS exhaust and I will buy th first one!

Ian

 

DAY#3

Called Ferman Mini for an update...

They haven't even started work on the car, they never called me to say anything or give an update, they weren't planning on calling me either. They are still waiting to hear from Mini as to whether to start work on the car or not. Funny, Global Imports in Atlanta has done a lot of warranty work on the car both before and after mods. They never had me waiting for 3 days, and they had the sense to know that the mods on the car didn't cause any problems.

Ferman's service manager told me that Mini's people only have voice mail and they couldn't get a live person on the phone. I called Mini and got Aaron (Customer Relations) after holding for less than 2 minutes. Aaron told me that Mini has strict guidlines about timeframes in which they respond and my 3 day wait is pretty unusual.

I am supposed to hear from Aaron later today or tomorrow.

This is ridiculous absolutely ridiculous.

I am so frustrated I could spit.

Kesh 727-515-7113

I HOPE MINIUSA READS THIS POST AND STEPS IN. VIN# TD51665

 

kesh, that gauge package is for sale with DEALER install at MotionMini in Houston. The service manager states that this gauge set will not affect your warranty at all. He told me this while attempting to sell me a set in February.

 

Bradley,

Thank You !!! This is another instance that I may need to reference if I don't get the proper answers.

I personally think that Ferman Mini of Tampa Bay has a vendetta against me. MiniUSA and the other dealer, Global Imports in Atlanta, are flat out nice people to work with. They listen, confirm and get the job done.

I understand that people are hard to get ahold of, I run into that all of the time in my business. I also know that if you don't follow up, and sometimes badger, you get nothing done. Squeaky wheel gets the grease principle.

God I hate conflict.

Kesh

 

>>kesh, that gauge package is for sale with DEALER install at MotionMini in Houston. The service manager states that this gauge set will not affect your warranty at all. He told me this while attempting to sell me a set in February.

Your right! And just think about it on your own. How on earth could a pressure sending point change anything within the engine. There isn't even any oil flow!
I am wondering though, isn't there another place to tap oil pressure? A factory sender??

 

Kesh -= sending you a PM with a contact name at MINI USA/BMW.

-Peter