RFCRD wrote:
T^2 wrote:
Both are PITA's - especially the Pro-Vent, because it will likely need to be uninstalled every time I take the Jeep into the service center (don't want to void that warrantee). The EHM will also need to be un-done for the same reasons; it just won't be as big of a PITA.
Not true. I have never taken my Provent out for dealer service. They even removed it once to replace the TCM and reinstalled it afterwards. DC's technical support rep and district service manager have both inspected the install. They understand it's purpose, have a copy of the engineering spec., and don't have a problem with it because none of the emissions equipment have been disconnected. The EHM would be another story, you have disconnected an emission control device which can get you into warranty problems.
Sorry but I disagree. In my book it's still a PITA. The fact that you get away with these mods at your dealer doesn't mean that others will get away with them at theirs. I've already read post where individuals have had trouble with dealers trying to void their warrantee because of these mods.
How would my dealer handle this situation? I don't know for sure, but my read of them suggest my chances would be 50/50 for a favorable outcome. I suspect that they may look the other way until the day comes that there is a failure that they could reasonably (or even unreasonably) link to the Provent mod - in which case the Provent mod might be used as justification to void the warrantee. The chance of this happening is increased with the likelihood of additional EGR or EGR Air Control Valve failures.
Here is a question for you – what would happen if you broke down some day while on a road trip and you have to use some other dealer (outside your district service managers district)? Will they be as accommodating to your meddling under the hood? Who knows? Could they possibly void the warrantee? Do you want to find out? I don’t. So what does that mean? Does one need to remove the Provent and return the vehicle to the stock configuration before the tow-truck arrives? Now that would definitely be a huge PITA.
Yes there is the Magnussen-Moss Act. However, the fact that you might have to even mention this Act is in itself a PITA - let alone should you have to retain an attorney to try and enforce it. Yes the onus of proof for invalidation of warrantee is on the manufacturer, but the onus of enforcing/prosecuting the Act is on the consumer. If the dealer/manufacturer decides to dig their heals in you will have to take them to court to get any satisfaction via this Act. Should one think about attempting such an action, they should consider the "deep pockets" of the manufacturer and the uphill battle for which they are about to embark (all that I can say to you is - that if you try it then good luck). If that isn't a PITA, then I don't know what is.
I would say that the best way to avoid such warrantee issues is to not show up at the dealer with the Provent installed, or with any lingering evidence of it's install. To do that one must uninstall the device every time before taking the vehicle to the dealer. This is what made Oldnavy's CCV filter design so appealing. All you have to do is twist off Oldnavy's CCV filter and put the orginal one back on. Still, the fact that you have to do anything under the hood before taking it to the dealer is a PITA.
Remember, this was a "New" vehicle purchase. The fact that we are even discussing such issues is a PITA - let alone trying to find and implement a viable solution/workaround to the problem. For some, what makes buying a new vehicle worth the added expense is the idea that you won't (or shouldn't) have various issues with the vehicle that have to be dealt with. In other words if one wanted a project, they could have just as easily bought a used vehicle and saved themselves the added expense on the purchase price.
This particular issue is even more egregious for that fact that it could have been easily avoided if DCX hadn't been such cheap-asses. It isn't like oil separators are anything new or bleeding edge/expensive technology. This vehicle should have come with one (that works) and we all should be talking about the fun we are having with this vehicle instead of trying to deal with this crap.